Which two hormones are stored in the posterior pituitary?

The posterior pituitary gland is primarily responsible for storing and releasing two key hormones: antidiuretic hormone (ADH), also known as vasopressin, and oxytocin.

ADH plays a crucial role in regulating the body's water balance by promoting water reabsorption in the kidneys, which helps to prevent dehydration and maintain blood pressure. Oxytocin, on the other hand, is involved in various reproductive functions, including stimulating uterine contractions during childbirth and facilitating the milk ejection reflex during breastfeeding.

These hormones are synthesized in the hypothalamus and then transported down the axons of hypothalamic neurons to the posterior pituitary, where they are stored until released into the bloodstream. This is in contrast to other hormones, like insulin and glucagon, which are produced and secreted by the pancreas, or those secreted by the anterior pituitary, such as TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) and ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), which are also not stored in the posterior pituitary.

Understanding the specific functions and storage locations of these hormones is essential for grasping the broader regulatory mechanisms of the endocrine system.