Final answer:
Hypersecretion of the growth hormone (GH) from the anterior pituitary gland can cause gigantism in children, which leads to abnormally tall stature and long limbs, as seen in historical figures like Martin Van Buren Bates.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hypersecretion of the growth hormone (GH), secreted by the anterior pituitary gland, can lead to the condition called gigantism when it occurs in children. This hormonal imbalance is often a result of a tumor on the pituitary gland, which can lead to a significantly taller stature with very long arms and legs. The excessive amounts of GH promote an abnormal increase in bone size and length, often resulting in individuals reaching heights of over eight feet. In contrast, if excessive GH production begins in adulthood, after the usual age of full skeletal growth, it can cause acromegaly. This is characterized by the enlargement of bones in the face, hands, and feet. Martin Van Buren Bates, often cited in studies of gigantism, exhibited such abnormal growth, as he reached at least 7 feet 9 inches in height and weighed close to 500 pounds, due to hypersecretion of GH starting around the age of six.