hypothalamic releasing factor

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

hypothalamic releasing factor
    n 1: any of several hormones produced in the hypothalamus and
         carried by a vein to the anterior pituitary gland where
         they stimulate the release of anterior pituitary hormones;
         each of these hormones causes the anterior pituitary to
         secrete a specific hormone [syn: {releasing hormone}, {RH},
         {releasing factor}, {hypothalamic releasing hormone},
         {hypothalamic releasing factor}]