Growth hormone

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The most commonly secreted anterior pituitary hormone. Its function is to encourage growth and division of body cells, especially those in the bones and skeletal muscles.

It also affects body-wide metabolism.

It's release is stimulated by GHRH and inhibited by GHRIH. Both are released by the hypothalamus.

Clinical Conditions

Acromegaly

The most common GH conditions is caused by a pituitary adenoma, which in adults leads to oversecretion of GH. It causes thick set jaws, thickening of fingers and toes, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Solution is surgical removal

Pituitary Gigantism

Very rare, but when an tumour of the pituitary as above occurs in prepubescent children, it causes excessive growth.