The hypothalamus controls the anterior pituitary by means of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). The hormone CRH is encoded by the CRH gene on eighth human chromosome. The anterior pituitary in turn regulates other endocrine glands by means of Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone (ACTH). These actions form part of the Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal(HPA) axis which is one of the important neuroendocrine systems in humans.
