Where is antidiuretic hormone (ADH) secreted from?

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH), also known as vasopressin, is secreted by the posterior pituitary gland. This hormone plays a crucial role in regulating water balance in the body by promoting water reabsorption in the kidneys, thereby conserving water and concentrating urine. The posterior pituitary stores and releases ADH, which is produced in the hypothalamus. When the body detects a high concentration of solutes in the blood or low blood volume, it signals the release of ADH from the posterior pituitary into the bloodstream.

Other structures listed in the options do play important roles in the endocrine system but are not involved in the secretion of ADH. The anterior pituitary gland, for instance, produces a variety of hormones but does not synthesize ADH. The adrenal gland is involved in the production of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, while the pancreas mainly regulates blood sugar through insulin and glucagon. Understanding the specific endocrine functions of these glands helps clarify their distinct roles in the body's hormonal regulation.