Q.Excess secretion of growth hormone in an adult, after the epiphyseal plates have already fused, produces

[!TLDR]

GH excess in an adult, after epiphyseal fusion, causes acromegaly (bones can no longer lengthen, so hands/fe …

Once the epiphyseal growth plates of the long bones have fused in adulthood, those bones can no longer increase in length no matter how much growth hormone is secreted. If growth hormone excess occurs (or persists) after this fusion, the excess instead causes disproportionate thickening and enlargement of the bones and soft tissues still capable of growth -- chiefly the hands, feet and jaw -- together with coarsened facial features and thickened sk …

Note the question specifies 'adult' and 'epiphyseal plates have already fused' -- this timing detail is exactly what distinguishes a …

Choosing gigantism instead of acromegaly -- gigantism is GH excess BEFORE epiphyseal fusion (childhood); acromegaly is GH excess AFTER fusion (adulthood). T …