Blood calcium levels are controlled by hormones from which structures?

A. The parathyroid glands and the thyroid gland

B. The anterior lobe of the pituitary gland and the thyroid gland
C. The parathyroid glands and the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland
D. The adrenal cortex and the hypothalamus.
Answer is A: Parathyroid glands secrete parathyroid hormone (to increase blood Ca level) while the
parafollicular cells of the thyroid produce calcitonin which aids in lowering blood Ca.

How do calcitonin or parathyroid hormone control blood calcium levels?

A. Calcitonin acts to increase blood calcium levels
B. Parathyroid hormone release is inhibited by increased calcium levels
C. Parathyroid hormone stimulates bone resorbing cells to take up calcium
D. Calcitonin inhibits parathyroid hormone
Answer is B: PTH acts to increase blood calcium levels. Hence less is required when blood calcium level is
high.

What does the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland synthesise and release?
A. Growth hormone-releasing hormone
B. Corticotropin-releasing hormone
C. Thyroid-stimulating hormone
D. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone
Answer is C: All the releasing hormones are produced in the hypothalamus.