Registered Nurse (RN) Endocrine Licensure Exam

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In the negative feedback loop for thyroid hormone production, which gland produces TRH (Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone)?

Thalamus.
Hypothalamus.
Posterior pituitary gland.
Anterior pituitary gland.

The correct answer is: Hypothalamus.

The correct choice is the hypothalamus because it is the gland responsible for producing Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone (TRH). TRH plays a crucial role in the endocrine system by stimulating the anterior pituitary gland to secrete Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH). When levels of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) are low, the hypothalamus releases TRH, which then prompts the anterior pituitary to increase TSH secretion. Elevated TSH levels stimulate the thyroid gland to produce more thyroid hormones, establishing a negative feedback loop that maintains hormonal balance within the body. In this context, the other glands mentioned do not produce TRH. The thalamus primarily acts as a relay station for sensory and motor signals and does not directly influence thyroid hormone regulation. The posterior pituitary gland stores hormones produced by the hypothalamus, specifically oxytocin and vasopressin, and does not synthesize TRH. The anterior pituitary does respond to TRH by releasing TSH but does not produce TRH itself.