Endocrine Controls
Calcium homeostasis is important because the ion is
needed to maintain nerve & muscle function & to control
many cellular activities in virtually all cells. It is also a
major structural component of the body in both the bone
& extracellular compartments.
The hormones involved in calcium metabolism in general
& in bone in particular include the protein parathyroid
hormone & the modified steroid calcitriol (1α,25 –
dihydroxy vitamin D3; 1α,25 – dihydroxycholecalciferol),
which both promote the movement of calcium ion into
circulation, & the counter-balancing protein hormone
calcitonin, which promotes a decrease in circulating
calcium.
Parathyroid
glands