Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) reaching the systemic circulation is synthesized in hypothalamic magnocellular neurons whose axons terminate in the posterior pituitary. Which nucleus provides the predominant source of ADH synthesis?

• A Suprachiasmatic nucleus
• B Arcuate nucleus
• C Supraoptic nucleus ✓
• D Paraventricular nucleus

Explanation

ADH is synthesized predominantly in the magnocellular neurons of the supraoptic nucleus, with a smaller contribution from the paraventricular nucleus. Axons of these neurons pass down the infundibular stalk and store the hormone in Herring bodies before release. The arcuate nucleus produces releasing and inhibiting hormones such as dopamine and GHRH, while the suprachiasmatic nucleus contributes vasopressin only for circadian rhythm regulation.

Reference: Ganong Review of Medical Physiology, 26th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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