The Endocrine system

Glands and hormones

 Hormones- chemical
messengers carried by
blood-
 May stimulate other
glands
 Regulate growth,
development, metabolism,
sex processes
 Major Glands of the Endocrine system
 Pituitary
 Thyroid
 Parathyroid
 Adrenal.
 Pancreas
 Ovaries
 Testes
 Thymus
 Pineal
 Pituitary gland
 Master gland of body
 Primary function is to control other glands.
 Secretion is controlled by the hypothalamus in the
base of the brain.
 The Pituitary Gland
 The pituitary gland produces  Hormones that affect other glands:
hormones that control other  produces thyroid-stimulating

glands as well as hormones hormone (TSH)

 adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) –
that have a direct affect on the
adrenal glands
body.  follicle-stimulating hormone
(FSH) - ovaries
 Luteinizing hormone (LH)
 Oxytocin – mammary glands

 Hormones that directly affect

cells/organs:
 growth hormone (GH) –
cells/tissue
 antidiuretic hormone (ADH) -
kidney
 Pituitary Gland
 Oxytocin
 causes “let down” of milk from the breast (mammary
glands).
 ADH (vasopressin) causes the kidney to retain water.
 TSH stimulates the thyroid gland to release its hormones,
thus  metabolic rate
 Growth hormone (GH)
  glucose usage
  consumption of fats as an energy source
 ACTH stimulates the adrenal glands to release its hormones
 FSH & LH stimulates maturation & release of eggs from
ovary.
 Gigantism/Acromegaly- oversecretion of GH
 Decreased muscle strength (weakness)
 Easy fatigue
 Enlarged jaw (prognathism) and tongue
 Excessive height (when excess growth hormone
production begins in childhood)
 Excessive sweating
 Joint pain
 Limited joint movement
 Widened fingers or toes due to skin overgrowth with
swelling, redness, and pain
 Dwarfism- undersecretion of GH
 Delayed bone, muscle, and sexual development
 Heart dysfunction
 Impaired concentration and memory loss

 Diabetes insipidus- decreased ADH (unable to retain

water in body)
 Extreme thirst
 Excess urination
 Dehydration
Thyroid Gland
 Thyroid gland must have a
source of iodine to function
properly
 Thyroid- produces
hormones that
 control metabolism
(conversion of calories into
energy to maintain process in
the cells) and
 Regulate calcium levels in
blood.
 Calcium is needed for strong
bones AND the transmission
of nerve signals.
Thyroid Gland Disorders
 Goiter (swelling of the thyroid
gland)
 Not enough iodine in diet
 This is why we use IODIZED salt.
 Hypocalcemia
 Inadequate amounts of calcium
 Muscle spasms and cramps
 Irregular heart beat
 Overly active reflexes
 Hypothyroidism
 Inadequate amounts of thyroid
hormones
 Facial bloating
 weakness
 cold intolerance
 lethargy
 altered mental status
 oily skin and hair
 Parathyroid Glands
 Parathyroid Glands
 small, pea-shaped glands, located in the neck
near the thyroid
 usually 4 - number can vary
 regulate the level of calcium in the body
 produce parathyroid hormone -  level of
calcium in blood
Adrenal Glands

 Located just above

the kidney
 Secretes many
hormones
 Epinephrine aka
adrenaline
 Norepinephrine
Pancreas
 secretes insulin, a
hormone that transports
glucose into cells.
 Insulin  the rate at which
various body cells take up
glucose. Thus, insulin
lowers the blood glucose
level.
 Insulin is rapidly broken
down by the liver and
must be secreted
constantly.

 Also secretes
glucagon
Glucagon
 When you are in need
of additional energy,
glucagon stimulates
the liver to release
stored glucose called
glycogen
 Also, glucagon
stimulates the liver to
manufacture glucose