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A patient with acromegaly is found to have a pituitary adenoma. What hormone is most likely overproduced in this condition?

A.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

B.

Prolactin

C.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

D.

Growth hormone (GH)

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH): ACTH stimulates the adrenal cortex to secrete cortisol; overproduction of ACTH causes Cushing disease features rather than the soft-tissue/bone overgrowth seen in acromegaly.
B. Prolactin: Prolactin excess causes galactorrhea and reproductive disturbances; it does not produce the characteristic enlarged hands, feet, and facial features of acromegaly.
C. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH): Excess TSH leads to hyperthyroidism, which causes metabolic and sympathetic symptoms, not the skeletal overgrowth typical of acromegaly.
D. Growth hormone (GH): Excess GH from a pituitary adenoma stimulates increased IGF-1 production, promoting soft-tissue and bone growth that leads to the characteristic enlargement of the hands, feet, and facial bones in acromegaly.


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Related Questions

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH):TSH is released by the anterior pituitary in response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) from the hypothalamus, not CRH.
B. Prolactin:Prolactin release is primarily inhibited by dopamine and can be stimulated by TRH and other factors, but it is not the principal anterior pituitary response to CRH.
C. Growth hormone (GH):GH secretion is regulated mainly by growth hormone–releasing hormone (GHRH) and somatostatin from the hypothalamus, not by CRH.
D. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH):ACTH is secreted by the anterior pituitary in response to corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) from the hypothalamus and stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce cortisol.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. The nervous system has no influence on pituitary gland secretions.: The hypothalamus, which is part of the nervous system, directly regulates pituitary secretions, so the nervous system does exert control over the pituitary.
B. The nervous system controls pituitary secretions through adrenal gland signals.: The adrenal glands are downstream endocrine organs influenced by pituitary hormones, not the primary route by which the nervous system controls the pituitary.
C. The hypothalamus sends signals to the pituitary gland through releasing and inhibiting hormones.: The hypothalamus produces releasing and inhibiting hormones that travel (via the portal blood vessels to the anterior pituitary) or via neural axons to the posterior pituitary to regulate pituitary hormone release.
D. The pituitary gland secretes hormones independently of the nervous system.: The pituitary receives regulatory input from the hypothalamus (a neural structure), so pituitary secretion is under significant neuroendocrine control rather than being fully independent.

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