Endocrine System

The endocrine system is all the organs of the body that are endocrine glands.
Hormones
Hormones are substances that are secreted by one group of cells that affects the physiology of another group of cells
(organs).
Facts:
Diabetes was once diagnosed by tasting urine. The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, the "Father of Medicine," was the
first physician known to diagnose diabetes mellitus, according to a 2000 article in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. His
technique: tasting his patients' urine for a distinct sweetness.

During World War II, British Intelligence agents planned to sneak in doses of estrogen into Adolf Hitlers food to make him less
violent and aggressive, and more like his docile younger sister Paula.

The pancreas bridges two worlds. There are two types of glands in the body: exocrine and endocrine. Exocrine glands
which include the salivary glands, sweat glands and mammary glands excrete their products through ducts. Endocrine
glands, by contrast, release their products (hormones) without ducts, directly into the bloodstream.

Cuddling, or other acts of physical affection and intimacy, helps to heal physical wounds more rapidly due to the release of the
hormone oxytocin. Oxytocin is proven to reduce swelling. It is a calm-inducing brain chemical secreted by the pituitary gland
that can trigger a range of physiological and psychological effects in us.

Plant cells sometimes produce hormones to use locally, but they may also transport the chemicals to other areas using
specialized elongated cells or other means. Knowing that plants use hormones to guide their growth, agriculturalists have
been using hormone-like chemicals called "plant growth regulators" since the 1930s to improve or otherwise modify the growth
of their crops, according to University of Florida agronomist Frederick Fishel.

Research in the field of neuroscience has revealed that when people fall in love, the brain constantly releases a certain
chemicals, including neurotransmitter hormones, dopamine, adrenaline, and serotonin. These compounds are also released
by addictive drugs like amphetamines. They stimulate the brains pleasure centre and cause side effects like increased heart
rate, excitement, and loss of appetite and sleep. Research shows that this stage typically lasts for one and a half to three
years.

The main function of the endocrine system is to help regulate and maintain the various functions of the body by releasing hormones,
which are often referred to as chemical messengers. The hormones produced and secreted help regulate sexual development,
digestion, growth, reproduction and tissue function. The endocrine system does not work alone; it works together with the nervous
system and immune system to help the body function the right way.

THE GLANDS
Pineal Gland
The pineal gland is attached to the roof of the third ventricle of the brain. It is covered by a capsule formed by the pia mater
and consists of masses of neuroglia and secretory cells called pinealocytes.
The physiological role of the pineal gland remains unclear.
The pineal gland secretes melatonin, which is thought to promote sleepiness and help regulate the bodys biological clock. In
animals that breed during specific seasons, melatonin apparently alters their capacity for reproduction, but it has not been
shown to have a similar effect on humans.
Hypothalamus
This is located at the base of the brain. It is part of the limbic system, which controls the autonomic nervous system and the
endocrine systems.
The hypothalamus controls the endocrine system by controlling the pituitary gland.
Secretes releasing hormones to cause the pituitary to release hormones
Secretes inhibiting hormones to turn off secretion of pituitary hormones
Pituitary Gland
This is located in the sella tursica (totally encased in bone), which gives you a clue as to how important this gland is. It has an
anterior and a posterior lobe.
Secretes nine major hormones
 Attached to the hypothalamus by the infundibulum (stalk)
Two basic divisions of the pituitary gland
Adenohypophysis (anterior lobe)
Neurohypophysis (posterior lobe)
Thyroid Gland
Located in the anterior neck, inferior to thyroid cartilage
Largest pure endocrine gland
Produces two hormones
Thyroid hormone (TH)
Calcitonin
Thyroid hormone (TH)
Acts on most cells of the body
Increases metabolic rate
Controlled by hormonal mechanism
Iodine is needed to make TH
Calcitonin
Lowers blood calcium levels; especially secreted in children
Slows osteoclasts to allow osteoblasts to deposit bone in the skeleton.
Parathyroid
Four glands imbedded on the posterior surface of the thyroid gland
Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
Increases blood concentration of Ca2+
There are three ways that the parathyroid hormone raises blood calcium levels
1) Stimulates osteoclasts to move bone calcium from the skeleton to the bloodstream
2) Stimulates the kidneys to stop excreting calcium
3) Stimulates the intestines to absorb more calcium from diet
Thymus
Gland that sits under the sternum, on top of the heart.
It is like a nursery incubator for one type of white blood cell (T cell). They go there to mature. The thymus gland also produces
hormones to help them mature.
This gland is mostly active in children under the age of three.
It shrivels up in an adult.
Adrenal Glands
Located on the superior surface of the kidneys
Two endocrine glands in one:
ADRENAL MEDULLA a knot of sympathetic nervous tissue
-Secretes catecholamines (mostly epinephrine)
-Active in fight, flight, and fright response
ADRENAL CORTEX bulk of the adrenal gland
-Secretes aldosterone (salt and water balance for blood pressure)
-Secretes androgens and estrogens (sex hormones)
-Secretes cortisol (anti-stress and anti-inflammation hormone)
Pancreas
Is an endocrine and exocrine gland
-Exocrine cells acinar cells secrete digestive enzymes into a duct.
-Endocrine cells pancreatic islets (islets of Langerhans)
About one million islets scattered throughout the pancreas
Secrete insulin
Secretes glucagon
Reproductive Organs (Male & Female)
The reproductive glands are the main source of sex hormones.
In males, the testes, located in the scrotum, secrete hormones called androgens; the most important of which is testosterone.
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 sides of the uterus, produce estrogen and progesterone as well as eggs.
These hormones control the development of female characteristics (for example, breast growth), and they
are also involved in reproductive functions (for example, menstruation, pregnancy).
Diseases:
Hypothyroidism

Cushing's disease