Final answer:
The posterior pituitary gland releases hormones in response to the stimulation of neurons within the hypothalamus, as it stores but does not produce these hormones.
Step-by-step explanation:
The posterior pituitary gland is stimulated to secrete hormones by: a) Stimulation of neurons within the hypothalamus. This is because the posterior pituitary itself does not synthesize hormones, but stores and releases them in response to neural signals.
The hormones stored in the posterior pituitary, such as antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and oxytocin, are produced by neurons in the hypothalamus and transported to the posterior pituitary where they are released into the circulatory system.