Biology · Chemical Coordination and Integration · NEET
The anterior pituitary (also called pars distalis of the adenohypophysis) makes 6 hormones: Growth Hormone (GH), Prolactin (PRL), Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone (ACTH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). It is a "true" endocrine gland because it makes its own hormones, unlike the posterior pituitary. Memory hook: "GP-TALF" — Grand Parents Take A Long Flight (GH, PRL, TSH, ACTH, LH, FSH).
The anterior pituitary (pars distalis) secretes 6 hormones. GH and PRL act directly on body tissues; TSH, ACTH, LH and FSH are tropic hormones that control other endocrine glands. MSH (from the separate pars intermedia) is not shown here.
Your doubts, answered
How many hormones does the anterior pituitary secrete, and what are they?
The anterior pituitary (pars distalis) secretes 6 hormones: Growth Hormone (GH), Prolactin (PRL), Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone (ACTH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). NEET often asks the exact count and list, so learn all six. MSH is NOT one of these six — it comes from the pars intermedia, a different part.
Why is the anterior pituitary a 'true' endocrine gland but the posterior is not?
The anterior pituitary makes its own hormones, so it is a true endocrine gland. The posterior pituitary (neurohypophysis) does not make oxytocin or vasopressin — these are made in the hypothalamus and only stored and released by the posterior pituitary. NEET 2016 asked exactly this: the posterior pituitary is not a true endocrine gland because 'it only stores and releases hormones'.
Does MSH come from the anterior pituitary?
No. MSH (Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone) is secreted by the pars intermedia, not the pars distalis (anterior pituitary). In humans the pars intermedia is almost merged with the pars distalis, which confuses students. But for NEET, MSH is matched with pars intermedia (NEET 2025 tested this), while the 6 hormones GH, PRL, TSH, ACTH, LH, FSH belong to the anterior pituitary.
Which anterior pituitary hormones are tropic (act on other glands)?
Four are tropic hormones because they control other endocrine glands: TSH acts on the thyroid, ACTH acts on the adrenal cortex (for glucocorticoids), and LH and FSH (the gonadotrophins) act on the gonads. GH and PRL are non-tropic — they act directly on body tissues (GH on general growth, PRL on mammary glands and milk formation).
Why does excess GH in an adult not make a person taller?
Height increase needs open epiphyseal plates in long bones, where bone elongates. After adolescence these plates close (fuse), so extra GH cannot add height. Instead, excess GH in adults thickens bones and causes disfigurement of the face called acromegaly. NEET 2017 asked this — the correct reason is 'epiphyseal plates close after adolescence,' not that GH becomes inactive.
⚠️ The NEET trap ✗ MSH is one of the hormones secreted by the anterior pituitary. ✓ MSH is secreted by the pars intermedia. The anterior pituitary (pars distalis) secretes only 6 hormones: GH, PRL, TSH, ACTH, LH, FSH. 🧠 Because the pars intermedia is almost merged with the pars distalis in humans, students wrongly add MSH to the anterior pituitary list. NEET separates them: pars distalis = 6 hormones, pars intermedia = MSH only.
Real NEET questions
2017
Hypersecretion of Growth Hormone in adults does not cause further increase in height, because
A · Growth Hormone becomes inactive in adults
B · Epiphyseal plates close after adolescence ✓
C · Bones lose their sensitivity to Growth Hormone in adults
D · Muscle fibres do not grow in size after birth
Solution: Height increase needs open epiphyseal plates where long bones elongate. After adolescence these plates fuse and close, so extra GH cannot add height; instead it causes acromegaly (facial disfigurement). GH stays active in adults, so the reason is closure of the epiphyseal plates.
2025
Which of the following hormones released from the pituitary is actually synthesized in the hypothalamus?
A · Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
B · Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
C · Luteinizing hormone (LH)
D · Anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) ✓
Solution: FSH, LH and ACTH are made by the anterior pituitary (pars distalis) itself. ADH (vasopressin) and oxytocin are made in the hypothalamus and only released from the posterior pituitary. So the pituitary-released hormone actually synthesized in the hypothalamus is ADH.
2026
Which of the following statements related to the pituitary gland are correct? (a) It is divided anatomically into adenohypophysis and neurohypophysis; (b) It secretes follicle stimulating hormone; (c) It secretes melanocyte stimulating hormone; (d) It does not secrete prolactin.
A · (a) and (b) only
B · (a), (b) and (c) only ✓
C · (c) and (d) only
D · (b) and (c) only
Solution: The pituitary is divided into adenohypophysis and neurohypophysis (a correct). The adenohypophysis secretes FSH (b correct) and, via the pars intermedia, MSH (c correct). Statement (d) is wrong because the pituitary DOES secrete prolactin. Hence (a), (b) and (c).
Solved Chemical Coordination and Integration NEET PYQs
Try the real previous-year questions from this chapter — each with the answer and a full solution.
Is the anterior pituitary the same as pars distalis?
Yes. The anterior pituitary is commonly called the pars distalis, which is one part of the adenohypophysis. The other part of the adenohypophysis is the pars intermedia (which secretes MSH).
What are gonadotrophins?
LH and FSH are called gonadotrophins because they stimulate the gonads (testis and ovary). In males, LH stimulates androgen secretion and FSH aids spermatogenesis; in females, LH triggers ovulation and FSH grows the ovarian follicles.
What does over- and under-secretion of GH cause?
Over-secretion of GH in children causes gigantism; low secretion causes pituitary dwarfism. Over-secretion of GH in adults causes acromegaly (disfigurement, especially of the face).
Which hormone from the anterior pituitary controls the thyroid gland?
TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) stimulates the synthesis and secretion of thyroid hormones from the thyroid gland.
