What is "releasing hormone"

n. (context endocrinology English) Any of many hormones secreted by the hypothalamus that are involved primarily in regulating the release of another hormone.

1. n. a substance produced by the hypothalamus that is capable of accelerating the secretion of a given hormone by the anterior pituitary gland [syn: releasing factor, RF]

2. 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 releasing hormone causes the anterior pituitary to secrete a specific hormone [syn: RH, releasing factor, hypothalamic releasing hormone, hypothalamic releasing factor]