NBEO Histology Practice Test

Basophilic cells in the anterior pituitary are the type of cells that produce ACTH. These corticotrophs synthesize adrenocorticotropic hormone, which stimulates the adrenal cortex to release cortisol. The basophilic staining reflects the high content of endoplasmic reticulum and peptide hormones being produced. In contrast, growth hormone and prolactin come from acidophilic cells, while ADH is not made in the anterior pituitary at all but in the hypothalamus and released from the posterior pituitary. So, ACTH is the hormone produced by basophilic anterior pituitary cells.