Endocrine Glands
Endocrine Glands - Internal Organs that produce
hormones and release them into the bloodstream.
Hormones - chemical substances secreted by
glands that affect the functioning of other distal
organs.
-e.g., Melatonin - A hormone, secreted by the
pineal gland that is involved in the regulation of
daily biological rhythms -sleep cycles & jet lag)
Major glands of the endocrine system
• The hypothalamus
• Pituitary
• Thyroid
• Parathyroids
• Adrenals,
• Pineal body, and
• The reproductive organs (ovaries and testes).
• The pancreas
Hypothalamus
• The hypothalamus is located in the lower central
part of the brain.
• Important in regulation of satiety, metabolism,
and body temperature.
• Secretes hormones that stimulate or suppress the
release of hormones in the pituitary gland.
• The hypothalamus also secretes a hormone called
somatostatin, which causes the pituitary gland to
stop the release of growth hormone.
Pituitary Gland
The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain
beneath the hypothalamus and is no larger than a
pea.
The most important part of the endocrine system
because it produces hormones that control many
functions of other endocrine glands.
When the pituitary gland does not produce one or
more of its hormones or not enough of them, it is
called hypopituitarism.
The pituitary gland is divided into two parts: the
anterior lobe and the posterior lobe.
The anterior lobe produces the
following hormones, which are
regulated by the hypothalamus:
Growth hormone: Stimulates growth of bone and
tissue (growth hormone deficiency in children
results in growth failure. Growth hormone
deficiency in adults results in problems in
maintaining proper amounts of body fat and
muscle and bone mass. It is also involved in
emotional well-being.)
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH): Stimulates
the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones (A
lack of thyroid hormones either because of a
defect in the pituitary or the thyroid itself is called
hypothyroidism.)
Adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH): Stimulates
the adrenal gland to produce several related
steroid hormones
Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone
(FSH): Hormones that control sexual function and
production of the sex steroids, estrogen and progesterone
in females or testosterone in males
Prolactin: Hormone that stimulates milk production in
females
The posterior lobe produces the following hormones, which
are not regulated by the hypothalamus:
Antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin): Controls water loss by
the kidneys
Oxytocin: Contracts the uterus during childbirth and
stimulates milk production
The hormones secreted by the posterior pituitary are
actually produced in the brain and carried to the pituitary
gland through nerves. They are stored in the pituitary gland.
Growth Hormone Deficiency
Too much Growth Hormone
Thyroid Gland
The thyroid gland is located in the lower front part
of the neck.
It produces thyroid hormones that regulate the
body's metabolism.
Plays a role in bone growth and development of
the brain and nervous system in children.
The pituitary gland controls the release of thyroid
hormones.
Thyroid hormones also help maintain normal
blood pressure, heart rate, digestion, muscle
tone, and reproductive functions.
Hypothyroidism
Parathyroid Glands
The parathyroid glands are two pairs of small
glands embedded in the surface of the thyroid
gland, one pair on each side.
They release parathyroid hormone, which
plays a role in regulating calcium levels in the
blood and bone metabolism.
Adrenal Glands
The two adrenal glands are triangular-shaped glands
located on top of each kidney.
The adrenal glands are made up of two parts. The
outer part is called the adrenal cortex, and the inner
part is called the adrenal medulla.
The outer part produces hormones called
corticosteroids, which regulate the body's metabolism,
the balance of salt and water in the body, the immune
system, and sexual function.
The inner part, or adrenal medulla, produces
hormones called catecholamines (for example,
adrenaline).
These hormones help the body cope with physical and
emotional stress by increasing the heart rate and
blood pressure.
• Cushing's syndrome occurs when the adrenal
glands produce too much cortisol.
Addison’s Disease a disorder that
occurs when the adrenal glands do not
produce enough of their hormones.
• A condition in which the adrenal glands do not
produce enough hormones. This condition
develops when the adrenal cortex is damaged
by infections, tumors, blood thinners, blood
loss and autoimmune diseases.
Pineal Body
The pineal body, or pineal gland, is located in
the middle of the brain.
It secretes a hormone called melatonin, which
may help regulate the wake-sleep cycle of the
body.
• Supports circadian rhythm of the body which
represents the day/night cycle important for
sleeping and waking up.
• Released more in the dark and less in the light
and because of that we feel sleepy when it is
dark.
• Pineal function can be affected by
environmental stresses such as abnormal light
and dark rhythms.
Pineal Gland disorders
• Cancers
• Hypertension
• Sexual Dysfunction
• Epilepsy
Reproductive Glands
The reproductive glands are the main source of sex
hormones.
In males, the testes, located in the scrotum, secrete
hormones called androgens; the most important of which is
testosterone.
These hormones affect many male characteristics (for
example, sexual development, growth of facial hair and
pubic hair) as well as sperm production.
In females, the ovaries, located on both sides of the uterus,
produce estrogen and progesterone as well as eggs.
These hormones control the development of female
characteristics (for example, breast growth), and they are
also involved in reproductive functions (for example,
menstruation, pregnancy).
Pancreas
The pancreas is an elongated organ located
toward the back of the abdomen behind the
stomach.
The pancreas has digestive and hormonal
functions.
One part of the pancreas, the exocrine pancreas,
secretes digestive enzymes.
The other part of the pancreas, the endocrine
pancreas, secretes hormones called insulin and
glucagon.
These hormones regulate the level of glucose
(sugar) in the blood.
