Answer: hypothalamus.
- A hypothalamus
- B cerebellum
- C medulla
- D spinal cord
Correct answer: A. hypothalamus
Explanation: The hypothalamus controls the pituitary, integrating nervous and hormonal signals.
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.