What are the similarities and differences between anterior and posterior pituitary hormones?
You should think of each hormone, whether from the anterioir or posterior pituitary as unique, with it’s own unique set of functions and regulatory mechanisms. There are two hormones which come from the posterior pituitary: Vasopressin (also known as antidiuretic hormone) and Oxybutinin. Vasopressin main role is to make sure we have enough water flowing through our blood vessels, permitting normal blood pressures and delivery of the oxygen/nutrients to all our tissues. Oxybutinin is involved in the contraction of the uterus during delivery of a baby. Both of these hormones are actually made in the neurons of the hypothalamus (part of the brain), which is directly/physically connected to the posterior pituitary. They are made in the hypothalamus, but secreted by the posterior pituitary gland. (So the posterior pituitary can be thought of as an extension of the brain!) The anterior pituitary makes many more hormones, including thyroid stimulating hormone (regulates/stimulates the thyroid
