Final answer:
Hypersecretion of growth hormone in adults leads to acromegaly, a condition characterized by the enlargement of bones in the face, hands, and feet due to the overproduction of GH, typically caused by a pituitary gland tumor.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hypersecretion of Growth Hormone in Adults
Hypersecretion of growth hormone (GH) in adults can lead to a condition known as acromegaly. This is a result of an overproduction of GH, often caused by a pituitary gland tumor. Unlike gigantism that occurs in children, acromegaly affects adults whose growth plates have already closed, leading to growth in the bones of the face, hands, and feet. Symptoms of acromegaly include enlarged bones, leading to increased size and breadth of these areas. While gigantism results in a uniformly tall stature due to hypersecretion of GH during childhood, acromegaly is characterized by disfigured growth that is often disproportionate.