Answer: Acromegaly, with enlargement of hands, feet, and facial bones.
- A Cretinism, with stunted physical and mental growth in most reference accounts
- B Acromegaly, with enlargement of hands, feet, and facial bones
- C Gigantism, with an overall increase in body height as frequently documented
- D Dwarfism, with reduced overall body size under normal conditions
Correct answer: B. Acromegaly, with enlargement of hands, feet, and facial bones
Explanation: In adults, where long bones can no longer lengthen, excess growth hormone causes disproportionate growth of extremities and facial bones, a condition called acromegaly.
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.