ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

Endocrine System:
- Consists of endocrine (ductless) glands and tissues that
produce regulatory chemicals that are called
hormones.
- The endocrine and nervous system work together to
control and coordinate all other systems of the body.

Hormones:
- Are chemical messengers that have specific regulatory
effects on certain (specific) cells or organs
- They are secreted in very small amounts
- Released directly into the blood stream by which they
are carried to all parts of the body
- The specific tissue acted on by each hormone is called
the “target tissue”

They are divided into to 2 categories:

1. Amino acids compounds – all except the sex glands
and adrenal cortex hormones
2. Steroids – hormones derived from lipids

Regulation of Hormones:

-The amount of each hormone that is secreted is normally

kept within a specific range. The concentrate of the
hormone itself acts as a break on further secretion of that
hormone.
-When target tissue becomes too active there is a
negative effect on the endocrine gland and it decreases
secretary action.
-The adrenal cortex hormones are the greatest just before
arising.
-Female hormones are secreted monthly.

Endocrine Glands:

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 1. Pituitary Gland – small gland attached to the
hypothalamus located in the saddle-like depression of
the sphenoid bone just behind the optic nerve crossing. It
is divided into 2 parts: Anterior and Posterior Lobe. It
releases hormones that affect the workings of other
glands. It is controlled by the hypothalamus of the brain.
Hormones produced in the anterior pituitary are not
released from the gland until the releasing hormones
arrive from the hypothalamus. There is a releasing
hormone for each hormone produced by the anterior lobe.
Posterior lobe is controlled by neural impulses originating
in the hypothalamus. Axons take the neuron secretions to
the posterior lobe, where they are released and absorbed
into the blood. The two types of hormones released by
the posterior pituitary gland are the ADH and oxytocin.
They are produced in the hypothalamus and stored in the
posterior pituitary. Tumors of the pituitary gland can
cause gigantism in childhood and acromegaly in adults.
2. Thyroid Gland –
-Largest of the endocrine glands
-Located in the neck just below the larynx and in front of
the trachea with 2 lateral lobes
-A narrow band called the isthmus connects these 2
lobes. A connective capsule encloses the entire gland.
-Two types of hormones are produced to help regulate
metabolism are:
1. Thyroxine (T4)
2. Triiodothyronine (T3)
-Each of these hormones has iodine atoms in its makeup
-These hormones function to increase the rate of
metabolism in body cells
(Increase energy and protein metabolism)
-The thyroid gland needs an adequate supply of iodine
in the blood to
produce these hormones
-Calcitonin - active in calcium metabolism and is
antagonistic (opposite) to
the parathyroid glands

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 -Goiter – an enlargement of the thyroid gland may or may
not be
associated with over production of hormone.
-an under active thyroid gland causes hypothyroidism
-an over active gland cause hyperthyroidism

3. Parathyroid Glands:
-located behind the thyroid gland and embedded in its
capsule are 4 tiny glands
-They secrete PTH (parathyroid hormone) which
regulates calcium metabolism along with Calcitonin
-PTH promotes the release of calcium from the bone
increasing the amount free floating in the blood stream.
Also causes kidneys to retain calcium
-Calcitonin promotes deposit of calcium into the bones
-Disorders: 1.) can cause spasms called Tetany from
deficiency of calcium or low calcium concentration in
blood. 2.) Kidney stones with excess production and re-
absorption by the kidneys. (Kidney stones are calcium
deposits)(Excess of calcium in the blood causes kidney
stones)

4. Adrenal Glands:
-Adrenal or suprarenal glands – they are 2 small glands
located above the kidneys
-Each has a medulla (inner area) and a cortex (outer area)
-Hormones produced from the medulla portion are called
epinephrine (adrenaline) and the norepinephrine.
-Sympathetic nervous system regulates secretion of
adrenal medullar hormones.
-They are secreted when the body is under stress
-Medullar hormones have longer and stronger affects for
fight and flight
-Hormones of the cortex portion are classified into 3
groups:
1. Glucocorticoids – maintain the carbohydrate reserve
(glycogen) by promoting conversion of amino acids into
glucose (the main hormone is Cortisol)

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 2. Mineralocorticoids – important in regulation of
electrolyte balance. They control the re-absorption of
sodium and secretion of potassium by kidney tubals. (The
main hormone is Aldosterone)
3. Sex hormones – androgens, estrogens, and progestin

5. Pancreas:
-Organ located posterior of the stomach
-An endocrine and exocrine gland
-Small groups of specialized cells called “Islets of
Langerhans” make up the endocrine portion and
function independently from exocrine portion, which
produces pancreatic juices
-The most important hormone is insulin, active in
transport of glucose across the membrane and inside the
cell to be metabolized for energy (ATP) source
-Insulin also stimulates the liver to convent glucose in
glycogen for storage
-Glucagon – works with insulin to regulate blood sugar
levels
-Glucagon is antagonistic to insulin. The glucagon
increases the concentration of glucose in the blood and
insulin decreases the amount of glucose by feeding it to
cells.
-Disorder is diabetes mellitus – glucose is not available

6. Sex Glands or Gonads:

-Ovaries and testes not only produce ova and sperm,
which are your sex cells, but are also important endocrine
glands.
-Needed in development of sexual characteristics
-Sex hormone or Androgen is testosterone, estrogen, and
progesterone
-Progesterone is secreted by an empty follicle after ovum
is released helps prepare uterus for embryo pregnancy
and milk
-The sex hormone assists in normal development of
pregnancy, stimulates development and maturation of
female sex organs, and second characteristics.

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7. Thymus Gland:
-Is a mass of lymph tissue
-Lies in the upper part of the chest above the heart
-Important in development of immunity
-The hormone is Thymosin
-It assists in the maturation of T-Cells

8. Pineal Gland:
-A small flattened cone-shaped structure
-Located posterior to the mid brain and connected to the
root of the 3rd ventricle
-It produces the hormone Melatonin
-Melatonin influences regulation of sleep versus wake
cycles (produced during the dark period (night) of each
day)