Final answer:
The hypothalamus is the part of the brain that can directly influence or inhibit the release of hormones from the pituitary gland. It produces releasing factors that stimulate or inhibit the secretion of pituitary hormones.
Step-by-step explanation:
The part of the brain that can directly influence or inhibit the release of hormones from the pituitary is the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus produces releasing factors that travel through the infundibulum to the anterior part of the pituitary gland. These releasing factors stimulate or inhibit the secretion of pituitary hormones, which control other glands of the endocrine system.