The Endocrine System

The endocrine system is a network of glands in the body, this gland produces hormones which are the
chemical messengers of the body
Hormones control several major processes including:
∙Reproduction
∙Growth and development
∙Mobilization of body defenses
∙Maintenance of homeostasis
∙Regulation of metabolism
These hormones are transported from their sites of secretions(glands) to their target sites
Glans and organs of the endocrine system
A) Glands
 Pineal gland
 Hypothalamus
 Pituitary gland
 Thyroid gland
 Parathyroid
 Thymus Adrenals
B) Organs
 Pancreas
 Testes
 Ovaries
A) Endocrine glands
Pineal gland.
This is the gland just anterior to the hypothalamus
Hormones produced by the pineal gland
 Melatonin: This hormone regulates the circadian rhythm which is the sleep cycle, light and dark
have the biggest influence on the melatonin secretion

Hypothalamus.
It coordinates and connects your endocrine system with your nervous system Its main job is to tell your
pituitary gland to start or stop making hormones.
It either produces inhibiting hormones or releasing hormones to the pituitary glands
Hormones produced by the hypothalamus
  Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH): this hormone stimulates thyroid-stimulating hormone
(TSH) secretion from the anterior pituitary
 Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH): this hormone causes the pituitary gland in the
brain to make and secrete the hormones luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating
hormone (FSH)
 Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH): this hormone stimulates synthesis and release
of growth hormone (GH, somatotropin) by somatotropic cells of the anterior pituitary gland
 Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH): this hormone is the central regulator of the
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which is the main organizer of the body's response to
stress
 Somatostatin: this hormone is used to prevent the production of other hormones in your
endocrine system and certain secretions in your exocrine system
 Dopamine: this hormone is used to give you feelings of pleasure, satisfaction and motivation it
is also used in controlling memory, mood, sleep, learning, concentration, movement and other
body functions

Pituitary gland
This is your endocrine system’s master gland. It uses information it gets from your brain to tell other
glands in your body what to do.
It is made up of:
a. Anterior pituitary gland
b. Posterior pituitary gland
Hormones produced by the anterior pituitary gland
 Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH): this hormone stimulates the production of thyroid
hormone
 Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH): this hormone stimulates your adrenal glands to release
cortisol
 Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): this hormone stimulates the formation ang growth of
graafian follicle in female
: FSH helps control the amount of sperm that the testicles (testes)
make in male.
 Luteinizing hormones (LH): this hormone spurs ovulation and helps with the hormone
production needed to support pregnancy in female.
: it stimulates testes to make testosterone in male.
 Prolactin: this hormone is used in milk production and the development of mammary glands
within breast tissues
Hormones produced by posterior pituitary gland
 Oxytocin: this hormone used to stimulate uterine contractions in labor and childbirth
 Vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone): this hormone is used to regulate blood pressure, blood
osmolality, and blood volume
 Thyroid gland.
This gland makes thyroid hormone, which controls your growth and metabolism. If this gland doesn't
make enough (a condition called hypothyroidism), everything happens more slowly.
Hormones produced by the Thyroid gland
 Thyroxine (T4): this hormone helps in metabolism, heart and muscle function, brain
development, and maintenance of bones
 Triiodothyronine (T3) : this hormone helps in development of fetal growth centers and linear
bone growth, endochondral ossification, and epiphyseal bone center maturation following birth
 Calcitonin: this hormone helps in help regulation of calcium levels in your blood by decreasing
it
Parathyroid.
This is a gland that comprises of four glands in the posterior aspect of the thyroid gland, two found on
the posterior aspect and other two in the anterior
Hormones produced by the parathyroid gland
 parathyroid hormone (PTH): this hormone control calcium levels in your blood.
 polypeptide hormone: This hormone is responsible for maintaining serum calcium homeostasis.

Thymus.
This gland makes white blood cells called T lymphocytes that fight infection and are crucial as a
child's immune system develops. The thymus starts to shrink after puberty.
Hormones produced by the thymus
 Thymopoietin: this hormone fuels the production of T-cells and tells the pituitary gland to
release hormones.
 Thymosin and thymulin: helps in making specialized types of T-cells.
 Thymic humoral factor: this factor keeps your immune system working properly.


Adrenal gland.
This gland is known for the fright and fight response
The are made up of two sites
 Cortex – outer glandular region in three layers
 Medulla – inner neural tissue region ∙ Sits on top of the kidneys
Hormones produced by the adrenal cortex gland
  Aldosterone: it helps regulates the salt and water balance of the body by increasing the retention
of sodium and water and the excretion of potassium by the kidneys
 Glucocorticoids (including cortisone and cortisol): it promotes normal cell metabolism and
released in response to increased blood levels of ACTH
 Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA): helps to make androgens and estrogens, the male and
female sex hormones
 Testosterone (in small amounts): helps in the formation of external male characteristics during
puberty
Hormones produced by the adrenal medulla gland
Epinephrine: it induces increased vascular smooth muscle contraction, pupillary dilator muscle
contraction, and intestinal sphincter muscle contraction
Norepinephrine: it helps in regulation of arousal, attention, cognitive function, and stress reactions.

B) Endocrine organs
Pancreas.
This organ is part of your digestive and endocrine systems. It makes digestive enzymes that break down
food. It produces glucose regulating hormones these ensure you have the right amount of sugar in your
bloodstream and your cells.
Hormones produced by the pancreas
 Insulin: regulating blood glucose b reducing it to normal level during increased glucose levels
 Glucagon: regulating blood glucose by increasing it to normal level during reduced glucose
level
 Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP): helping to control the secretion of water, salts, enzymes,
and gastric acid during digestion.
 Somatostatin: prevents (inhibits) the release of pancreatic hormones, including insulin,
glucagon and gastrin, and pancreatic enzymes that aid in digestion.

Ovaries.
In women these organ produces hormones, these hormones help develop breasts at puberty, regulate the
menstrual cycle, and support a pregnancy.
Hormones produced by the ovaries
 Estrogen: it functions by regulating the menstrual cycle by giving negative feedback to
gonadotropin hormone which are the follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone
 Progesterone: it creates a healthy uterine lining to support a fertilized egg, embryo and fetus by
making it vascularized
 Testes
These are male reproductive organs
Hormones produced by testes
Testosterone: regulate the external characteristics of a male during puberty.
Other Hormone-Producing Tissues and Organs
 Parts of the small intestine
 Parts of the stomach
 Kidneys
 Heart ∙ Many other areas have scattered endocrine cells
Developmental Aspects of the Endocrine System
∙ Most endocrine organs operate smoothly until old age
∙Menopause is brought about by lack of efficiency of the ovaries
∙Problems associated with reduced estrogen are common
∙Growth hormone production declines with age

Reference
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/hormones-and-the-endocrine-system
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22464-hormones
Kathleen J. W. Wilson, 1987. Ross & Wilson Anatomy and Physiology.