THE ENDOCRINE

SYSTEM
THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
 Its main function is the production and release of
various chemical signals needed to regulate
different body organs or systems.
 History of endocrinology and study of hormone
function dates back to 400 BC when Hippocrates
brought forth the Humoral Hypothesis.
 Aristotle noted there were changes in physical and
behavioral aspects after castration on roosters.
REGULATORY FUNCTIONS OF
THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
 Water Balance  Blood Glucose Control
 Uterine Contractions  Immune System
 Milk Release Regulation
 Growth  Reproductive Functions
 Metabolism Control
 Tissue Maturation
 Electrolytes Concentration
in the blood
 Heart Rate and Blood
Pressure Regulation
ANATOMY AND
PHYSIOLOGY OF THE
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
A. Chemical Signals
B. Glands
C. Hormones
D. Receptors
CHEMICAL SIGNALS
 also known as ligands (from the Latin word
ligandus, which means “to bind”).
 These are molecules released from one location
that moves and binds to a receptor to produce a
response
FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION
OF INTRACELLULAR SIGNALS
 AUTOCRINE
 Secreted by cells and have a local effect on the same cell
type from which it was secreted.
 These chemicals affect the blood vessels and increases
the platelets in response to inflammation, thus results to
blood vessel dilation and formation of blood clots.
FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION
OF INTRACELLULAR SIGNALS
 PARACRINE
 Secreted into tissue spaces and can affect other cell types near
their cell of origin.
FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION
OF INTRACELLULAR SIGNALS
 HORMONE
 Secreted into the blood to be delivered to the specific organs
they control to make a response.
FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION
OF INTRACELLULAR SIGNALS
 NEUROHORMONES
 Produced by nerve cells and have the same function like
hormones.
FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION
OF INTRACELLULAR SIGNALS
 NEUROTRANSMITTER / NEUROMODULATOR
 Produced by nerve cells and influences the function of the
nervous system.
FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION
OF INTRACELLULAR SIGNALS
 PHEROMONES
 Secreted into the environment through urine that modifies the
behavior and physiology of other individuals.
 Phero (to carry) + hormao (to excite)
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
OF THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
 GLANDS
 Endocrine glands are ductless glands that have an extensive
network supply of blood vessels.
 These glands directly secretes hormones into the circulatory
system to reach their target areas.
1. Pituitary Gland
2. Thyroid Gland
3. Parathyroid Gland
4. Adrenal Gland
5. Pancreas
6. Thymus Gland
7. Pineal Gland
8. Gonads
 PITUITARY
GLAND
• Pea sized gland located in
the lower aspect of the
brain.
• Also known as the master
gland
• Above this gland is the
hypothalamus which plays
a major role in controlling
the secretion of pituitary
gland hormones.
• It has two lobes: the
anterior and posterior lobe.
THYROID
GLAND
• One of the largest
endocrine glands
• Located below the
larynx, partially in front
of the trachea.
• Has two lateral lobes to
be found on either side
of the trachea.
PARATHYROID
GLAND
• Four tiny glands
embedded in the
posterior surface of
the thyroid gland, one
in each corner.
ADRENAL
GLAND
• Two small glands
situated atop each
kidney.
• Each gland consists
of two parts: the
adrenal medulla
(inner part) and the
adrenal cortex (outer
part).
PANCREAS
• The pancreas is
about 6 inches long
and sits across the
back of the abdomen,
behind the stomach.
THYMUS
GLAND
• Positioned on the
upper part of the
thoracic cavity.
• Plays an important
role in the immune
system.
PINEAL
GLAND
• Small, pine-cone
shaped gland which
lies above and behind
the thalamus.
GONADS
• Ovaries in females
• Testes in males
• Located in the
reproductive organs
of human.
THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
Hormones
 After the hypothalamus control and command
other glands, hormones become the product of
this process. Each gland produces and secretes
different hormones with unique functions for
stimulation of their specific tissues or organs.
1. GROWTH
HORMONE (GH)
Where it is formed:
Pituitary Gland
Function:
This hormone help stimulate the growth of bones,
muscles and other organs through increased protein synthesis. It
is most active during the growth and developmental stage.

Too much:
Gigantism – abnormally tall stature
Too little to none:
Dwarfism – abnormally short stature
2. THYROID-STIMULATING
HORMONE (TSH)
Where it is formed:
Pituitary Gland
Function:
The release of this hormone results to the stimulation
of the thyroid gland to further produce thyroid hormones.
Too much:
Hypothyroidism and can form goiters
Too little to none:
Hyperthyroidism
3. MELANOCYTE-STIMULATING
HORMONE (MSH)
Where it is formed:
skin, pituitary gland, and hypothalamus
Function:
it binds to receptor sites on melanocytes to produce
melanin and cause skin pigmentation.
Too much:
Hyperpigmentation
Too little to none:
Loss of natural protection from UV rays of the sun.
4. ADRENOCORTICOTROPIC
HORMONE (ACTH)
Where it is formed:
Pituitary gland
Function:
Its key function is to stimulate the production and release
of cortisol from the cortex of the adrenal gland.
Too much:
Cushing Disease
Too little to none:
poorly functioning adrenal gland due to insufficient
production of cortisol.
5. FOLLICLE STIMULATING
HORMONE (FSH)
Where it is formed:
pituitary gland
Function:
It regulates the functions of both the ovaries and
testes.
Too much:
hypergonadotrophic - hypogonadism
Too little to none:
hypogonadotrophic - hypogonadism
6. LUTEINIZING
HORMONE (LH)
Where it is formed:
pituitary gland
Function:
men: support sperm production
women: production of estradiol and progesterone
Too much:
infertility
Too little to none:
infertility
female can have irregular menstrual cycle
7. PROLACTIN
Where it is formed:
pituitary gland
Function:
lactation
Too much:
hyperprolactinaemia
Too little to none:
hypoprolactinaemia
8. OXYTOCIN
Where it is formed:
hypothalamus
Function:
contraction of the womb, movement of milk to the
breast, love hormone or cuddle hormone
Too much:
benign prostatic hyperplasia
Too little to none:
preventing the milk ejection reflex, autism, depression
9. ANTI-DIURETIC
HORMONE (ADH)
Where it is formed:
hypothalamus
Function:
increase water reabsorption that results to less urine
volume, regulation of blood pressure
Too much:
excessive water retention to the blood that makes it
diluted.
Too little to none:
dehydration and higher blood pressure
10. THYROID HORMONES
Where it is formed:
thyroid glands
Function: (triiodothyronine, thyroxine)
body’s metabolism, normal growth and maturation of
the body
Too much:
hyperthyroidism
Too little to none:
hypothyroidism
11. CALCITONIN
Where it is formed:
C-Cells of the thyroid gland
Function:
decreases calcium level in the blood
Too much:
no direct effect
Too little to none:
no direct effect
12. PARATHYROID
HORMONES (PTH)
Where it is formed:
parathyroid glands
Function:
increases calcium level in the blood
Too much:
hypercalcaemia
Too little to none:
hypocalcaemia
13. CATHECHOLAMINES
Where it is formed:
adrenal glands
Function:
fight or flight hormones
Too much:
hyperactivity, dizziness, anxiety, burnout
Too little to none:
attention deficit issues, fatigue, moodiness, panic
attacks
14. CORTISOL
Where it is formed:
adrenal glands
Function:
also called as the stress hormone because it helps the
body to respond to stressful situations by providing more energy
sources
Too much:
Cushing’s syndrome, lack of sexual drive, ireegular
menstrual cycle
Too little to none:
Addison’s disease
15. ALDOSTERONE
Where it is formed:
adrenal glands
Function:
regulation of blood volume and its potassium and sodium
level.
sodium is retained and potassium is eliminated
Too much:
hyperaldosteronism
Too little to none:
Addison’s disease
16. ANDROGEN
Where it is formed:
gonads
Function:
stimulation of the maturation of the male sexual
characteristics
Too much:
acne, hirsutism (excess hair growth in "inappropriate"
places, like the chin or upper lip) and thinning of hair on the head
(balding).
Too little to none:
low libido (interest in or desire for sex), fatigue, decreased
sense of well-being and increased susceptibility to bone loss,
osteoporosis and fractures.
17. INSULIN
Where it is formed:
pancreas
Function:
responsible to the control of glucose in the blood
Too much:
hypoglycemia
Too little to none:
hyperglycemia (diabetes mellitus)
18. GLUCAGON
Where it is formed:
pancreas
Function:
prevent glucose levels to drop too low
Too much:
diabetes
Too little to none:
hypoglycemia
19. THYMOSIN
Where it is formed:
thymus gland
Function:
help the immune system in the development of T-Cells
Too much:
overproduction of T-Cells
Too little to none:
inability to produce a complete immune protection
system
20. MELATONIN
Where it is formed:
pineal gland
Function:
inhibit functions of the reproductive system by
decreasing the secretion of LH and FSH.
Too much:
drowsiness and reduced core body temperature
Too little to none:
no effect
21. TESTOSTERONE
Where it is formed:
testes
Function:
development and maintenance of sex characteristics,
sperm production, sexual behavior, muscle enlargement, pubic
hair growth, voice changes
Too much:
early puberty
Too little to none:
sexual characteristics will not fully develop
22. ESTROGEN AND
PROGESTERONE
Where it is formed:
ovary
Function:
development and function of the female reproductive
system
Too much:
no effect
Too little to none:
irregular and heavy menstrual bleeding
23. PROSTAGLANDINS
Where it is formed:
only hormone that is not secreted by a gland. Produced
through chemical reactions
Function:
stimulates clotting and inflammation during the healing
process
Too much:
unwanted inflammation
Too little to none:
disrupted healing process