Antidiuretic hormone and oxytocin reach the systemic circulation from the posterior pituitary, but they are not synthesized there. In which structures are these two hormones actually produced?
- A Supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus ✓
- B Acidophil cells of the anterior pituitary gland
- C Median eminence tanycytes
- D Pars intermedia melanotrophs
Correct answer: A. Supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus
Explanation
ADH and oxytocin are synthesized in the magnocellular neurons of the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei, packaged with neurophysins, and transported axonally to the posterior pituitary for storage and release. The posterior pituitary itself contains only axon terminals and pituicytes, so it cannot synthesize the hormones. The anterior pituitary acidophils produce GH and prolactin, not the neurohypophyseal peptides.
Reference: Ganong Review of Medical Physiology, 26th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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