Which statement best describes the control of the anterior pituitary gland?

• A. It receives no influence from the hypothalamus.
• B. The anterior pituitary secretes hormones directly in response to hypothalamic hormones.
• C. It stores hormones produced by the hypothalamus.
• D. It secretes hormones into the ducts.

Answer: (B)

The anterior pituitary is controlled by releasing and inhibiting hormones produced by the hypothalamus, which travel to the anterior lobe via the hypophyseal portal system. In response to these hypothalamic signals, the anterior pituitary synthesizes and then secretes its own hormones into the bloodstream to act on distant targets. This is why stating that the anterior pituitary secretes hormones directly in response to hypothalamic hormones best describes its control.

Other ideas don’t fit: the hypothalamus does influence the anterior pituitary, so it isn’t uninfluenced. It does not store hormones produced by the hypothalamus, and the anterior pituitary releases hormones into the blood, not into ducts.