Hanna, 18 years old, is over 6 feet tall. She has an x-ray film taken that shows that her long bones are continuing to lengthen. Eventually, a thorough examination shows that she has a tumor growing in her ________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The anterior pituitary gland secretes growth hormone which directly affects the lengthening of long bones. If there is a tumor in the anterior pituitary, it could constantly be secreting growth hormone and causing excessive bone growth, which is likely the case with Hanna. The other options (posterior pituitary, pineal gland, adrenal medulla) are not involved in bone growth.

Hanna, 18 Years Old, Is Over 6 Feet Tall