Q. What are the major divisions of the hypophysis? What are their functions?
The hypophysis is divided into two portions- the anterior hypophysis or adenohypophysis and the posterior hypophysis or neurohypophysis.
In the adenohypophysis two hormones that act directly, the prolactin and the growth hormone (GH), and four tropic hormones that are hormones that regulate other endocrine glands the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), the luteinizing hormone (LH) and the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) are produced.
The neurohypohysis releases and stores two hormones produced in the hypothalamus, the antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin or ADH) and oxytocin.