ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

BY - Ayushi jani & Bhumika jain

• Endocrine system is a
system of ductless glands
that regulate body
functions.
• Hormones are secreted by
endocrine glands goes
directly into the
bloodstream.
• It Controls growth,
metabolism, reproduction
 Major Endocrine
Glands
Hypothalamus Thyroid gland

Parathyroid gland
Pituitary
gland
Thymus

Pineal gland Adrenaline gland

 Organs containing
endocrine tissues
Testes & ovaries Digestive tract

Heart Kidney

Pancreas Placenta
HYPOTHALAMU
S
• Located in the brain,
forming the floor of the
third ventricle.
• It is connected to the
pituitary gland via the
infundibulum.
• Monitors internal body
states like temperature,
thirst, and hunger.
• Function:
• Controls the pituitary gland by releasing
inhibiting or stimulating hormones.
• Hormones:
• Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone (GHRH),
Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone (TRH), and
Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone (CRH).
• Involved in feedback mechanisms regulating
body homeostasis
Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone: This hormone is responsible for the
regulation of metabolic and immune response.
Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone: It triggers the pituitary gland to release a
thyroid-stimulating hormone which plays a major role in the functioning of
organs of the body such as heart, muscles, etc.
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone: It stimulates the pituitary gland to release
several reproductive hormones.
Oxytocin: It is involved in several processes such as lactation, childbirth,
regulating sleep cycles, maintaining body temperature.
• Somatostatin: This hormone is also known as Growth Hormone Inhibiting
Hormone. It regulates the endocrine system and affects the
neurotransmission and cell proliferation by interacting with G-protein
coupled receptors.
Pituitary gland
• Location: Small, pea-sized gland located
in the sella turcica of the sphenoid bone.
• Divided into two parts:
• Anterior pituitary (Adenohypophysis):
Larger part responsible for hormone
production.
• Posterior pituitary
(Neurohypophysis):Smaller part
responsible for storing and releasing
hormones
Anterior Pituitary Hormones:
Growth Hormone (GH): Stimulates growth, cell reproduction, and
regeneration.
Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH): Stimulates the thyroid gland to
produce thyroid hormones (T3 and T4)
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) : Stimulates the adrenal glands to
produce cortisol.
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) : Involved in the regulation of the
reproductive processes, including egg and sperm production.
Luteinizing Hormone (LH) : Stimulates ovulation in females and
testosterone production in males.
Prolactin (PRL) : Promotes milk production in the mammary glands.
Posterior Pituitary Hormones:
Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) : Regulates water balance by affecting the
kidneys.
• Oxytocin :Stimulates contractions during childbirth and milk ejection
during breastfeeding.
Pineal gland
• The pineal gland is a small body
attached to the roof of the third
ventricle and is connected to it by a
short stalk containing nerves, many of
which terminate in the hypothalamus.
• The pineal gland is about 10 mm long,
is redish brown in colour and is
surrounded by a capsule.
 Malatonin
• melatonin, a hormone that regulates
sleep-wake cycles and circadian rhythms.
• Melatonin secretion is closely linked to
light exposure:
• It is inhibited by light (particularly blue
light) and
• stimulated in darkness, which is why
melatonin levels are higher at night.
Thyroid gland
Structure:
• Butterfly-shaped gland located in the anterior part
of the neck, below the larynx.
• Comprised of two lobes connected by an isthmus.
• Highly vascularized, enabling rapid hormone
secretion.
Function:
• Produces Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3):
Regulate basal metabolic rate, influence protein
synthesis, and increase the body's sensitivity to
catecholamines.
• Calcitonin: Reduces calcium levels in the blood by
inhibiting osteoclast activity.
 Thyroxine
Thyroid gland is
located in the front
part of the neck and
is wrapped around
•Metabolism Regulation: Thyroxine controls the rate our windpipe
at which cells convert nutrients into energy. It (trachea).
increases the basal metabolic rate, helping in energy
production and heat generation.
•Heart Function: Thyroxine increases heart rate and
strengthens the force of heart contractions, thus
affecting blood circulation.
•Protein Synthesis: It influences the synthesis of
proteins, essential for tissue repair and growth.
•Regulating Body Temperature: By boosting
metabolism, thyroxine helps maintain body
temperature.
 Parathyroid gland
Structure:
• Four small, oval-shaped glands
located on the posterior surface
of the thyroid gland.
Function:
• Calcium Regulation: The parathyroid glands produce parathyroid
hormone (PTH), which increases blood calcium levels when they are
too low, by increases the reabsorption in the kidneys.
• Bone Health: PTH stimulates the release of calcium from bones into
the bloodstream, ensuring that blood calcium levels remain
adequate. It also regulates bone remodeling, which is the process of
bone formation and resorption.
• Kidney Function: PTH reduces calcium loss through the kidneys by
promoting calcium reabsorption. It also helps activate vitamin D in
the kidneys, which is essential for calcium absorption from the
intestines.
• Vitamin D Activation: The parathyroid hormone promotes the
conversion of inactive vitamin D into its active form, calcitriol, which
enhances calcium absorption from food in the intestines.
Thymus gland
Structure:
• Located in the upper chest, just behind the sternum.
Function:
• The thymus gland plays a vital role in the development of the immune
system, particularly during childhood. It is located in the upper chest,
behind the sternum.
Key functions:
1. T-Cell Maturation: The thymus is responsible for the maturation of T-
lymphocytes (T-cells), a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role
in the immune response. T-cells help identify and destroy infected or
cancerous cells.
2. Immune System Development: During early life and puberty, the
thymus is most active, ensuring the proper development of the immune
system. It provides an environment for T-cells to differentiate and
become immunocompetent, meaning they can recognize and respond to
pathogens.
3. Self-Tolerance: The thymus also trains T-cells to differentiate between
the body’s own cells (self) and foreign invaders (non-self). This helps
prevent autoimmune reactions, where the body mistakenly attacks its
own tissues.
4. Hormone Production: The thymus produces hormones like thymosin,
which stimulate the development of T-cells and support immune function.
• As a person ages, the thymus gradually shrinks and becomes less
active, with much of its immune-related function being transferred to
other parts of the immune system.
Adrenal gland
Adrenaline Adrenal glands are
located in the
epigastrium at the
top of the kidney.
Structure:
• Paired glands located
above the kidneys.
• Divided into two regions:
Cortex (outer layer) and
Medulla (inner region).
Functions:
Adrenal Cortex:
1. Aldosterone(Mineralocorticoid): Regulates blood pressure and electrolyte
balance by controlling sodium and potassium levels.
2. Cortisol(Glucocorticoid): Manages long-term stress, increases blood
glucose, reduces inflammation, and regulates metabolism.
3. Androgens: Contribute to secondary sexual characteristics and libido (in
women).

Adrenal Medulla Functions:

1. Epinephrine (Adrenaline): Triggers the fight-or-flight response, increasing
heart rate, blood flow, and energy levels.
2. Norepinephrine (Noradrenaline): Increases blood pressure and alertness
during short-term stress.
Organs containing
endocrine tissues
ovaries
The granulosa cells and thecal cells of the ovaries act as
endocrine tissue.
Hormones released :
Estrogen : Produced by granulosa cells, responsible for female
secondary sexual characteristics and regulation of the menstrual
cycle.
Progesterone : Released by the corpus luteum after ovulation,
preparing the uterus for pregnancy.
Inhibin : Produced by granulosa cells, it inhibits the secretion of
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the pituitary gland.
Placenta:
Syncytiotrophoblasts which are specialized cell
that serve endocrine functions.
Hormones:
Human chronic gonadotrophin,
progesterone
relaxin
 Testes
The interstitial cells produce hormones.
Hormones released :
-Testosterone : Produced by Leydig
cells, it regulates male secondary sexual
characteristics, spermatogenesis, and
libido.
-Inhibin : Secreted by Sertoli cells, it
helps regulate FSH levels, thus
controlling sperm production.
Testosterone
Testosterone is a hormone Testes
produced by the male sex gland (Testis:
singular) are
called the testes. found inside
the scrotum
It controls the developmental
changes in males such as deeper
voice, facial and pubic hair and
growth in muscle and bone
strength.
Heart:
Atrial Naturetic hormone
Released by atrial myocytes in response
to stretching of the atria, caused by
increased blood volume. It reduces blood
pressure by promoting sodium excretion
(natriuresis) and vasodilation.
Pancreas
The pancreas functions as an endocrine gland by producing hormones that regulate
blood sugar levels. The key hormones it secretes include:
1. Insulin:
- Lowers blood glucose levels by allowing cells to take in glucose for energy or
storage as glycogen in the liver.
2. Glucagon:
- Raises blood glucose levels by signaling the liver to break down glycogen into
glucose and release it into the bloodstream.
3. Somatostatin:
- Inhibits the release of both insulin and glucagon, helping regulate the balance of
blood sugar.
4. Pancreatic Polypeptide:
- Regulates pancreatic secretions and affects appetite and food intake.
These hormones are produced in specialized cells called the islets of Langerhans
(alpha, beta, delta).
Digestive tract
As an endocrine gland, the digestive tract (or gastrointestinal tract) produces

hormones that regulate digestion and appetite. Key hormones include:

1. Gastrin: - Stimulates the secretion of gastric acid (HCl) in the stomach, aiding

in digestion.

2. Secretin: - Stimulates the pancreas to release bicarbonate-rich fluid to

neutralize stomach acid entering the small intestine.

3. Cholecystokinin (CCK): - Stimulates the gallbladder to release bile and the

pancreas to release digestive enzymes, helping digest fats and proteins.

4. Ghrelin:- Increases appetite by signaling hunger to the brain.

5. Motilin: - Regulates gut motility, coordinating the movement of food through

the digestive system.

These hormones help regulate digestion, nutrient absorption, and hunger.

Kidney
As an endocrine organ, the kidneys produce hormones that help regulate blood

pressure, red blood cell production, and calcium levels. Key hormones include:

1. Erythropoietin (EPO): - Stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood

cells in response to low oxygen levels in the blood.

2. Renin: - Part of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), renin

helps regulate blood pressure by controlling blood volume and electrolyte

balance.

3.Calcitriol (Active Vitamin D): - Increases calcium absorption from the

intestines and regulates calcium and phosphate levels in the blood, promoting

bone health.

These hormones are vital for maintaining blood pressure, red blood cell

production, and calcium homeostasis.

Thank you