Answer: Pituitary gland at the brain base.
- A Thyroid gland in the neck
- B Pancreas behind the stomach
- C Pituitary gland at the brain base
- D Adrenal gland above the kidney
Correct answer: C. Pituitary gland at the brain base
Explanation: Growth hormone (somatotropin) is secreted by the anterior pituitary and promotes growth of the body, especially long bones and muscles.
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.