What is the

endocrine
?system

The endocrine system is made up of glands and the

hormones they secrete. Although the endocrine glands are
the primary hormone producers, the brain, heart, lungs,
liver, skin, thymus, gastrointestinal mucosa, and placenta
.also produce and release hormones
 Endocrine Glands
A group of secretory cells that release their
products, chemical signals called hormones, usually
into the circulation. The secretions never pass
through ducts Fig.1: Endocrine
.secretion
:Endocrine glands include •
.Pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal and pineal glands –
Hypothalamus, thymus, pancreas, ovaries, testes –
kidneys, stomach, liver, small intestine, skin, heart, adipose –
.tissue, and placenta also have endocrine function

2
 ?What is the endocrine system
The primary endocrine
glands are the pituitary
(the master gland),
pineal, thyroid,
parathyroid, islets of
Langerhans, adrenals,
ovaries in the female
.and testes in the male

The function of the endocrine system is the production

.and regulation of chemical substances called hormones
 …Hormones

A hormone is a chemical transmitter. It is released in small

amounts from glands, and is transported through the
bloodstream to target organs or other cells. Hormones
are chemical messengers, transferring information and
.instructions from one set of cells to another
 Hormones regulate growth,
…Hormones development, mood, tissue
Hyposecretion or function, metabolism, and
hypersecretion of .sexual function
any hormone can
be harmful to
the body.
Controlling the
production of
hormones can
treat many
hormonal
disorders in
.the body
 …Hormones

…The pituitary gland has 2 lobes

The endocrine system and nervous system work together
to help maintain homeostasis… balance. The
hypothalamus is a collection of specialized cells located in
the brain, and is the primary link between the two
systems. It produces chemicals that either stimulate or
.suppress hormone secretions of the pituitary gland
 functions of hormones
Regulate metabolic processes (e.g. thyroid .1
.hormones)
Control the rate of chemical reactions (e.g. .2
.growth hormone)
Aid in the transport of substances across the .3
cell membrane of target cells (e.g. insulin)
Regulate water and electrolyte balances (e.g. .4
.antidiuretic hormone, and aldosterone)
Play a vital role in reproduction, growth and .5
development (e.g. estrogens , progesterone, and
.testosterone)
7
 The Hypothalamus and Its
Hormones
The hypothalamus is a small region located
within the brain that controls many bodily
functions, including eating, drinking and
behaviors, blood pressure, heart rate, body
temperature maintenance and the sleep-wake
cycle

8 11/23/2024
 Hypothalamus (Floor of the Brain)

Drive centers are located here and the 

subconscious control center

Hypothalamus secretes releasing factors or 
inhibiting factors into the blood supply of the
infundibulum which is connected to the
anterior lobe of the pituitary. They stimulate or
inhibit hormone production. Each hormone
from the anterior lobe will have its own specific
.set of control factors from the hypothalamus
 Pituitary gland

The pituitary gland consists of two major regions,

the anterior pituitary gland and the posterior
pituitary gland
Communication between the hypothalamus and(
the posterior pituitary occurs through
neurosecretory cells
 Parts of the Pituitary Gland

11
 Communication between the hypothalamus and
the anterior pituitary occurs through hormones
(releasing factors and inhibiting factors)
produced by the hypothalamus and delivered to
the anterior pituitary via a portal network of
capillaries
The anterior pituitary lobe receives releasing
hormones from the hypothalamus via a portal vein
system known as the hypothalamic-hypophyseal
portal system
 Hypothalamus

Hypothalamus - Controls glandular secretions

.of the pituitary gland

:Produces
antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Oxytocin
hypothalamic-releasing hormones
hypothalamic-inhibiting hormones

14-6
 Hypothalamus – ADH and Oxytocin
Neurosecretory cells of the hypothalamus •
produces antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and
Oxytocin

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and oxytocin are •

stored in the posterior lobe of the pituitary
.gland
Posterior pituitary gland releases these hormone •
when needed

14-7
Gland/Tissue Hormones Major Functions Chemical structure

Hypothalamus Thyrotropin-releasing Stimulates secretion Peptide

hormone (TRH) of TSH and prolactin

Hypothalamus Corticotrophin- Causes release of Peptide

releasing hormone ACTH
(CRH)

Hypothalamus Growth hormone– Causes release of Peptide

releasing hormone growth hormone
(GHRH)

Hypothalamus Growth hormone Inhibits release of Peptide

inhibitory hormone growth hormone
(GHIH)

Hypothalamus Gonadotropin- Causes release of LH Steroid

releasing hormone and FSH
(GnRH)

Hypothalamus prolactin-inhibiting Inhibits release of Amine

factor (PIF) prolactin
 Gland/Tissue Hormones Major Functions Chemical structure

Anterior pituitary Growth hormone Stimulates protein Peptide

synthesis and overall
growth of most cells
and tissues

Anterior pituitary Thyroid-stimulating Stimulates synthesis Peptide

hormone (TSH) and secretion of thyroid
hormones (thyroxin and
triiodothyronine)

Anterior pituitary Adrenocorticotropic Stimulates synthesis Peptide

hormone (ACTH) and secretion of
adrenocortical
hormones (cortisol,
androgens, and
aldosterone)

Anterior pituitary Prolactin Promotes development Peptide

of the female breasts
and secretion of milk
 Gland/Tissue Hormones Major Functions Chemical
structure
Anterior pituitary Luteinizing hormone Stimulates Peptide
(LH) testosterone
synthesis in Leydig
cells of
testes; stimulates
ovulation, formation
of corpus
luteum, and estrogen
and progesterone
synthesis in ovaries

Anterior pituitary Follicle-stimulating Causes growth of Peptide

hormone (FSH) follicles in the
ovaries and sperm
maturation in Sertoli
cells of testes
 Gland/Tissue Hormones Major Functions Chemical structure
Posterior pituitary Antidiuretic hormone Increases water Peptide
(ADH) (also called reabsorption by the
vasopressin) kidneys and causes
vasoconstriction and
increased blood
Pressure

Posterior pituitary Oxytocin Stimulates milk ejection Peptide

from breasts and
uterine contractions

Thyroid Thyroxin (T4) and Increases the rates of Amine

triiodothyronine (T3) chemical reactions in
most
cells, thus increasing
body metabolic rate

Thyroid Calcitonin Promotes deposition of Peptide

calcium in the bones
and
decreases extracellular
fluid calcium ion
concentration
 Gland/Tissue Hormones Major Functions Chemical structure

Adrenal cortex Cortisol Has multiple metabolic Steroid

functions for controlling
metabolism of proteins,
carbohydrates, and
;fats
also has anti-
inflammatory effects

Adrenal cortex Aldosterone Increases renal sodium Steroid

reabsorption,
potassium
secretion, and hydrogen
ion secretion

Adrenal medulla Norepinephrine, prepares the body for Amine

epinephrine quick action. “fight or
flight
Gland/Tissue Hormones Major Functions Chemical structure
Heart Atrial natriuretic peptide Increases sodium Peptide
(ANP) excretion by kidneys,
reduces
blood pressure

Pancreas Insulin Promotes glucose entry Peptide

in many cells, and in
this way controls
carbohydrate
metabolism

Pancreas Glucagon Increases synthesis and Peptide

release of glucose from
the liver
(Glycogenolysis)

Parathyroid Parathyroid hormone Controls serum calcium Peptide

(PTH) ion concentration by
increasing calcium
absorption by the gut
and
kidneys and releasing
calcium from bones
Gland/Tissue Hormones Major Functions Chemical structure

Testes Testosterone Promotes development Steroid

of male reproductive
system

Ovaries Estrogens Promotes growth and Steroid

development of female
reproductive system
and female breasts

Ovaries Progesterone helps to regulate cycle, Steroid

But its main job is to get
the uterus ready for
pregnancy

Placenta Human chorionic Promotes growth of Peptide

gonadotropin (HCG) corpus luteum and
secretion of
estrogens and
progesterone by corpus
luteum
 ADH
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) •

Function: regulates water reabsorption in •

the kidneys (H2O is returned to the
.bloodstream)

Target: Kidneys •

14-7
 Disorders
Diabetes insipidus – Caused by a deficiency •
.of ADH

Results in excessive urine production, •

.leading to dehydration

Treatment: administer synthetic ADH •

 Hypothalamic-releasing Hormones

The hypothalamic-releasing hormones •

stimulates the Anterior Pituitary Gland to
release its hormones

14-8
 Hypothalamic-inhibiting Hormones

The hypothalamic-inhibiting hormones inhibit •

the Anterior Pituitary Gland from releasing its
.hormones

14-8
Pituitary Gland – Anterior
:The anterior pituitary gland produces •

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) .1

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) .2
Gonadotropic hormones – (FSH and LH) .3
Prolactin (PRL) .4
Growth hormone (GH) .5
 Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

Function: stimulates the thyroid gland to •

.produce its hormones

TSH is produced by the Anterior Pituitary •

Target: Thyroid gland •

14-8
 Thyroid Gland
Thyroid gland - large gland located below the •
larynx. Requires iodine to make hormones

:Produces •
:Thyroid Hormones (TH) .1
Thyroxin (T4) •
Triiodothyronine (T3) •

Calcitonin .2

14-13
 Thyroid Gland – Thyroid Hormones (TH)
Thyroid Hormones - regulates metabolism •
by stimulating protein synthesis, the
breakdown of lipids, and the use of
glucose for the production of ATP

Target: most cells in the body •

14-13
 Disorders – Simple goiter
Simple goiter •
Results in an enlarged thyroid gland –
May be caused by a diet deficient in iodine, –
which is needed for the production of TH

Can be treated by iodine supplements or –

administration of TH
 Growth hormone (GH)
Function: promotes skeletal and muscular •
.growth

GH is produced by the Anterior Pituitary •

Target: Bones, muscles, and cartilage •

14-8
 Disorder - Gigantism

Gigantism – Too much GH during childhood can •

result in rapid growth and attaining heights of 8
.– 9 feet

Treatment – if caused by a pituitary tumor then •

treatment is to remove or reduce the tumor
.using surgery, radiation or chemotherapy

14-8
 Disorder - Acromegaly

Acromegaly – Too much GH in adulthood •

can result in a thickening of the bones and
face

Same treatment as gigantism •

14-8
 Adrenal Medulla - Epinepherine
:Hormone secreted by adrenal medulla •
Epinephrine - prepares the body for quick action. –
.“fight or flight” / short-term response to stress

Effects: Increases blood pressure, increases heart –

rate, increases blood glucose levels

14-16
 Pancreas Gland Hormones
Hormones of the pancreas •
Secreted from the pancreatic islets (Islets •
of Langerhans)
Regulate blood glucose levels through two •
:hormones
glucagon .1
insulin .2
 Pancreas - Glucagon
Glucagon - raises blood glucose levels of •
.the blood
:Target and effects •
Liver – stimulates the breakdown of glycogen to –
glucose

14-20
Pancreas Gland Hormones

Figure 10.18 (2 of 2)
 Insulin - lowers blood glucose levels of the
blood
Stimulates transport of glucose into muscle cells, •
.white blood cells, and connective tissue cells

Inhibits the breakdown of glycogen to glucose •

Prevents conversion of amino and fatty acids into •
glucose
Stimulates formation of triglycerides from •
glucose
Pancreas Gland Hormones

Figure 10.18 (1 of 2)
 Disorders - Diabetes mellitus – Type 1 & 2
Diabetes mellitus - caused by the lack of insulin •
or by the inability of cells to respond to insulin
.as they should
Type 1 diabetes – autoimmune disorder that –
causes the pancreas is not producing
.enough insulin

Type 2 diabetes - inability of cells to respond –

to insulin. (cells do not have enough insulin
receptors)
14-22
Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is secreted by the •
parathyroid glands
It acts to increase the concentration of calcium •
(Ca2+)in the blood, whereas calcitonin (a
hormone produced the thyroid gland) acts to
decrease calcium concentration