which endocrine gland causes this condition?

Question

a condition called acromegaly causes certain bones in adults to grow larger and thicker. which endocrine gland causes it?

choices:

1. pancreas
2, pituitary
3. thymus
4. thyroid

Answer 1

it's the pitutary gland

Answer 2

Okay. So everyone has already established that the answer is 2, the pituitary gland. But considering that the question is phrased similarly to a homework question (cough cough) I thought you might need an explanation as well as an answer. Acromegaly is an excess of growth hormone or somatropin. In children, the disorder is called giantism. Human growth hormone is triggered by Growth-Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH) and inhibited by Somatostatin, both secreted by the hypothalamus. GH promotes growth by binding to the surface of the liver cells and causing them to release Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1), also called somatomedin. IGF-1 acts directly on the ends of the long bones to promote growth. Because the increase of GH occurs after the fusion of the growth plates in acromegaly, it causes thickening of bones as opposed to lengthening. I know that some of the symptoms include arthritis, gradual changing of features, and an increased risk of diabetes and hypertension, but for more information about the disorder itself you should just look it up on the Internet. I'm sure the CDC and NIH have some good info. Hope that helps with your homework!

Answer 3

Increased secretion of growth hormone from the anterior pituitary in adults causes acromegaly.

Answer 4

Pituitary gland

Answer 5

pituitary