Which gland stores hormones released from the hypothalamus?

Which gland stores hormones released from the hypothalamus?

• A. Anterior pituitary
• B. Posterior pituitary
• C. Hypothalamus
• D. Pineal gland

Answer: (B)

Hormones produced by the hypothalamus are transported down its nerve fibers to be stored in the posterior pituitary, then released into the bloodstream when needed. This part of the pituitary is the neurohypophysis, made of neural tissue, and it serves as a storage and release site for hormones like antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and oxytocin that are produced in the hypothalamus. The anterior pituitary, by contrast, is glandular tissue that releases its own hormones in response to releasing factors from the hypothalamus via the portal circulation, not storage of hypothalamic hormones. So the gland that stores hypothalamus-released hormones is the posterior pituitary.

Hormones produced by the hypothalamus are transported down its nerve fibers to be stored in the posterior pituitary, then released into the bloodstream when needed. This part of the pituitary is the neurohypophysis, made of neural tissue, and it serves as a storage and release site for hormones like antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and oxytocin that are produced in the hypothalamus. The anterior pituitary, by contrast, is glandular tissue that releases its own hormones in response to releasing factors from the hypothalamus via the portal circulation, not storage of hypothalamic hormones. So the gland that stores hypothalamus-released hormones is the posterior pituitary.