L16 - Growth Hormone Glossary

Growth Hormone (GH)

A peptide hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates growth, cell reproduction, and regeneration in the body; crucial for physical development.

Somatotropin

Another name for growth hormone.

Somatostatin (Growth Hormone Inhibiting Hormone, GHIH)

A hypothalamic hormone that inhibits the release of growth hormone from the anterior pituitary; acts as negative feedback to balance GH levels.

Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH)

A hypothalamic hormone that stimulates the release of growth hormone from the anterior pituitary gland.

Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1)

A protein produced mainly in the liver in response to GH; responsible for many growth-promoting effects of GH, including growth of bones, muscles, and tissues.

Acromegaly

A condition caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone, usually due to a benign pituitary tumor; leads to abnormal growth of bones and tissues, particularly in the face and digits.

Gigantism

A condition similar to acromegaly but occurring during the natural growth phase, where excessive growth hormone leads to abnormal height due to open growth plates in bones.

Dwarfism

A medical condition characterized by short stature, often due to a deficiency in growth hormone early in life; the most common form is GH deficiency dwarfism.