ADH (vasopressin) synthesized in the hypothalamus is transported to the posterior pituitary via:

• A Hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal blood
• B Free diffusion through the fenestrated capillaries of the median eminence
• C Axoplasmic transport along the hypothalamo-hypophyseal tract ✓
• D Active transport via tanycytes lining the third ventricle

Explanation

ADH and oxytocin are synthesized primarily in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus. They are packaged with their carrier protein neurophysin and transported by axoplasmic flow along axons of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal tract to axon terminals in the posterior pituitary (neurohypophysis), where they are stored and released into fenestrated capillaries. Portal blood is used by anterior pituitary releasing/inhibiting hormones from the median eminence.

Reference: Guyton & Hall, Textbook of Medical Physiology, 14th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.