Final answer:
Antidiuretic hormone, produced by the posterior pituitary gland, is also known as vasopressin, and it plays a crucial role in the regulation of water balance in the body by reducing urine output and helping to maintain blood pressure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The antidiuretic hormone produced by the posterior pituitary gland is also known as vasopressin. It is a key hormone responsible for regulating urine production by the kidneys. When the body needs to conserve water, ADH prompts the kidneys to reabsorb more water, thus reducing urine output. This hormone is made in the hypothalamus and then delivered to the posterior pituitary, which releases it into the bloodstream when it's needed, such as during dehydration or hemorrhaging to help conserve body water and maintain blood pressure.