What type of hormones does the anterior pituitary secrete?

The anterior pituitary, also known as the adenohypophysis, primarily secretes tropic hormones. Tropic hormones play a crucial role in regulating the function of other endocrine glands throughout the body. They stimulate target glands to produce and release their own hormones, thereby controlling a variety of physiological processes.

For instance, the anterior pituitary releases hormones such as adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce cortisol; thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which prompts the thyroid gland to release thyroid hormones; and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), which regulate the activities of the gonads (ovaries and testes). This cascading effect is essential for maintaining homeostasis and coordinating complex bodily functions.

While the anterior pituitary does secrete peptide hormones, which are made up of amino acids, the term "tropic hormones" specifically encapsulates their role in regulating other glands. Adrenal hormones originate from the adrenal glands rather than the anterior pituitary, and effector hormones are those that exert direct effects on tissues rather than regulating other endocrine glands. Thus, the specific classification of the hormones secreted by the anterior pituitary as tropic hormones is essential for