A middle-aged female patient complains of changes to her face.Her cheekbones and eyebrows have become more prominent,and her jaw is growing.You suspect acromegaly,a disorder caused by excessive growth hormone.She had no growth abnormalities in her youth.What do you suspect is the most likely cause of her problem?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Acromegaly is typically caused by a tumor of the pituitary gland that secretes excess growth hormone, leading to the characteristic physical changes. Option A is incorrect because the pineal gland does not secrete growth hormone. Option B is less likely as the patient had no growth abnormalities in youth. Option D is incorrect because the posterior pituitary does not secrete growth hormone. Option E is not a likely cause of the patient's symptoms.

A Middle-Aged Female Patient Complains of Changes to Her Face