Final answer:
TSH from the anterior pituitary gland regulates the release of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) from the thyroid gland, which are crucial hormones for controlling the body's basal metabolic rate.
Step-by-step explanation:
Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH), produced by the anterior pituitary, controls the release of two key hormones from the thyroid gland: triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). These thyroid hormones are critical for regulating the body's basal metabolic rate.
TSH secretion is stimulated by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) from the hypothalamus, and together, the thyroid gland, pituitary gland, and hypothalamus form a negative feedback loop to maintain hormonal balance. The anterior pituitary's role is thus essential in the endocrine regulation of metabolism.