What part of the pituitary gland secretes adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)?

The anterior pituitary is responsible for the secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). This hormone plays a crucial role in stimulating the adrenal cortex to produce cortisol, a key hormone involved in the body’s stress response and metabolism regulation. The anterior pituitary synthesizes and releases various hormones, including ACTH, which are essential for regulating numerous bodily functions.

The posterior pituitary, in contrast, primarily stores and releases hormones produced by the hypothalamus, such as oxytocin and vasopressin. The intermediate lobe of the pituitary gland is less prominent in humans and is often associated with other functions such as the secretion of melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) but does not secrete ACTH. The hypothalamus is involved in hormone regulation and signaling to the anterior pituitary but does not produce ACTH itself; rather, it releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which prompts the anterior pituitary to secrete ACTH. Thus, the anterior pituitary is the definitive source of ACTH in the endocrine system.