Sutures and Wound Repair/ General Surgery (ABSA) Practice Test

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Enhance your knowledge in General Surgery with our Sutures and Wound Repair test. Tackle multiple-choice questions with detailed explanations to ensure readiness for your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

Which gland is considered the master gland of the endocrine system?

Adrenal gland
Thyroid gland
Pituitary gland
Pancreas

The correct answer is: Pituitary gland

The pituitary gland is referred to as the master gland of the endocrine system due to its crucial role in regulating various physiological processes by releasing hormones that control other endocrine glands. Located at the base of the brain, it produces and secretes a range of hormones that influence growth, metabolism, reproduction, and stress response. For instance, it releases growth hormone, which promotes growth and development; adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol; and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which regulates the thyroid gland. By controlling these hormones, the pituitary gland effectively coordinates the activities of other glands throughout the body, thus playing a central role in maintaining homeostasis. In contrast, the adrenal glands primarily produce hormones involved in stress response and metabolic functions, the thyroid gland is key for metabolism and energy regulation, and the pancreas is crucial for insulin regulation and digestion. While all these glands are important, none has the overarching control that the pituitary gland exerts over the endocrine system.