Human Growth Hormone (HGH) promotes
the growth, especially growth of the long bones in the limbs (i.e.
the femur, tibia,
and fibula in
the legs and the humerus, ulna,
and radius in
the arms). It also increases the synthesis of proteins.
The release of the hormone human growth hormone into
the bloodstream is controlled by the balancing/opposing effects of
growth-hormone releasing hormone and somatostatin.
However when the balance between these effects is disrupted there
may be excess or insufficient human growth hormone in the body.
Insufficient HGH leads to: |
Dwarfism (when occurs in children).
|
Excess HGH leads to: |
Gigantism (when occurs in children), and
Acromegaly (when occurs in adults). |
For further general/summary information (excellent for revision
!) visit the page about
Endocrine
Glands of the Human Body. |
