Endocrine System
VILLAVER, EJAY D. BL. GONZALO OF LAGOS
Endocrine System
• The endocrine system is made up of glands
that produce and secrete hormones,
chemical substances produced in the body
that regulate the activity of cells or organs.
These hormones regulate the body's
growth, metabolism (the physical and
chemical processes of the body), and
sexual development and function. The
hormones are released into the
bloodstream and may affect one or several
organs throughout the body.
• The major glands of the endocrine system
are the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid,
parathyroid, adrenals, pineal body, and the
reproductive organs. The pancreas is also a
part of this system; it has a role in hormone
production as well as in digestion.
▪ located in the lower central part of the
Hypothalamus
brain.
▪ Important in regulation of satiety,
metabolism, and body temperature.
▪ It secretes hormones that stimulate or
suppress the release of hormones in the
pituitary gland. Many of these hormones
are releasing hormones, which are
secreted into an artery that carries them
directly to the pituitary gland.
▪ In the pituitary gland, these releasing
hormones signal secretion of stimulating
hormones. The hypothalamus also
secretes a hormone called somatostatin,
which causes the pituitary gland to stop
the release of growth hormone.
▪ The pituitary gland is located at the base Pituitary Gland
of the brain beneath the hypothalamus
and is no larger than a pea.
▪ It is often considered 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.
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.
• It also 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.
▪ The parathyroid glands are two pairs of
small glands embedded in the surface of
Parathyroid Gland
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.
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.
• In males, the testes, located in the scrotum, Reproductive
secrete hormones called androgens; the
most important of which is testosterone. Glands
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 Reproductive
sides of the uterus, produce estrogen and
progesterone as well as eggs. These
Glands
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.
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