Answer: Cretinism.
- A Simple goitre
- B Cretinism
- C Acromegaly
- D Muscle tetany
Correct answer: B. Cretinism
Explanation: Thyroxine deficiency in infancy causes cretinism - stunted growth, low metabolism and impaired mental development.
The hypothalamus releases hormones that direct the pituitary, which releases its own trophic hormone to a target gland; that gland's hormone output then feeds back (dashed lines) to suppress both the pituitary and hypothalamus once levels are sufficient - a self-correcting loop running the entire endocrine system.
Concept context
The endocrine glands, hormone classification and mechanism of action, and negative feedback regulation.