Question

Name the hormone secreted by the pars intermedia.

Answer 1

Pars Intermedia:

1. The pituitary's anterior and posterior lobes are separated by the pars intermedia.
2. It contains colloid-filled cysts as well as basophils and chromophobes.
3. It secretes the melanocyte-stimulating hormone, or MSH, which promotes the release of melanin pigment in skin melanocytes during human embryonic life.
4. In adulthood, however, the pars intermedia is usually either very tiny or completely missing.
5. MSH stimulates the dispersion of melanin pigment in dermal (skin) melanophore cells, resulting in this colour shift.