Question

With reference to the pituitary gland, which of the following statements is correct?

• A. Neurohypophysis synthesises vasopressin and oxytocin
• B. Adenohypophysis stores TSH and STH secreted by neurohypophysis
• C. Neurohypophysis collects and stores vasopressin and oxytocin
• D. Adenohypophysis secretes vasopressin and oxytocin

Answer 1

The correct option is C Neurohypophysis collects and stores vasopressin and oxytocin

The pituitary gland can be anatomically divided into adenohypophysis and neurohypophysis. Pars distalis and pars intermedia are the two portions of adenohypophysis. It is the anterior pituitary (the pars distalis) that secretes thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and somatotropin hormone (STH), which is a growth hormone. Oxytocin and vasopressin are the two hormones which are synthesised by the hypothalamus and are transported to the posterior pituitary axonally. The posterior pituitary, which is also known as the neurohypophysis (pars nervosa region), collects these hormones from the hypothalamus, stores and releases them.