Question

Hormones are produced by the hypothalamus and transported to the _______ pituitary to be released.

a. posterior
b. anterior

Answer 1

Answer: b. anterior.

Step-by-step explanation:

Hypothalamic releasing and inhibiting hormones control the release of other hormones from the pituitary gland and they are secreted by neurons. They enter the anterior pituitary through blood vessels and to do this, there is a bridge of capillaries that connects the hypothalamus, which is a part of the brain, to the anterior pituitary gland and it is called the hypophyseal portal system. This system allows the hypothalamic hormones to be transported to the anterior pituitary without entering the systemic circulation.

So, the secretion of the hormones from the pituitary gland is regulated by releasing and inhibiting hormones from the hypothalamus. The six hormones produced by the anterior pituitary gland are:

1. luteinizing hormone (LH)
2. follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
3. thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
4. adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
5. prolactin (PRL)
6. growth hormone (GH)