Which of the following hormones is produced by the posterior pituitary?

Which of the following hormones is produced by the posterior pituitary?

• A. Growth hormone (GH) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
• B. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)
• C. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and oxytocin
• D. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and growth hormone (GH)

Answer: (C)

The posterior pituitary releases hormones that are made in the hypothalamus, not synthesized in the posterior pituitary itself. The two hormones released from the posterior pituitary are antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and oxytocin. ADH helps the kidneys reabsorb water, concentrating the urine, while oxytocin stimulates uterine contractions during labor and milk ejection during breastfeeding. The other hormones listed—growth hormone, ACTH, FSH, LH, and TSH—are produced by the anterior pituitary, not the posterior.

The posterior pituitary releases hormones that are made in the hypothalamus, not synthesized in the posterior pituitary itself. The two hormones released from the posterior pituitary are antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and oxytocin. ADH helps the kidneys reabsorb water, concentrating the urine, while oxytocin stimulates uterine contractions during labor and milk ejection during breastfeeding. The other hormones listed—growth hormone, ACTH, FSH, LH, and TSH—are produced by the anterior pituitary, not the posterior.