Endocrine System

The endocrine system is a system of glands that involve the release of extracellular signaling
molecules known as hormones.

Glands
Pituitary- The pituitary gland, or hypophysis, is an endocrine gland about the size of a pea and
weighing 0.5 g (0.02 oz.). It is a protrusion off the bottom of the hypothalamus at the base of the brain,
and rests in a small, bony cavity (sella turcica) covered by a dural fold (diaphragma sellae). The
pituitary fossa, in which the pituitary gland sits, is situated in the sphenoid bone in the middle cranial
fossa at the base of the brain. It is considered a master gland. The pituitary gland secretes hormones
regulating homeostasis, including tropic hormones that stimulate other endocrine glands. It is
functionally connected to the hypothalamus by the median eminence.
Hypothalamus- is a portion of the brain that contains a number of small nuclei with a variety of
functions. One of the most important functions of the hypothalamus is to link the nervous system to
the endocrine system via the pituitary gland
Thyroid - is one of the largest endocrine glands in the body. This gland is found in the neck inferior to
(below) the thyroid cartilage (also known as the Adam's apple in men) and at approximately the same
level as the cricoid cartilage. The thyroid controls how quickly the body burns energy, makes proteins,
and controls how sensitive the body should be to other hormones.
Parathyroid -are small endocrine glands in the neck that produce parathyroid hormone. Humans have
four parathyroid glands, which are usually located behind the thyroid gland, and, in rare cases, within

the thyroid gland or in the chest. Parathyroid glands control the amount of calcium in the blood and
within the bones.
Gonads -is the organ that makes gametes. The gonads in males are the testes and the gonads in
females are the ovaries. The product, gametes, are haploid germ cells. For example, spermatozoon
and egg cells are gametes. Although medically the gonad term can refer to either male gonads
(testicles) or female gonads (ovaries), the vernacular, or slang, use of "gonads" (or "nads") usually only
refers to the testicles.
Pineal gland -is a small endocrine gland in the vertebrate brain. It produces melatonin, a hormone
that affects the modulation of wake/sleep patterns and photoperiodic (seasonal) functions.
Pancreas - is a gland organ in the digestive and endocrine system of vertebrates. It is both an
endocrine gland producing several important hormones, including insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin,
as well as an exocrine gland, secreting pancreatic juice containing digestive enzymes that pass to the
small intestine. These enzymes help in the further breakdown of the carbohydrates, protein, and fat in
the chyme.
Renal- (also known as suprarenal glands) are the star-shaped endocrine glands that sit on top of the
kidneys; their name indicates that position (ad-, "near" or "at" + renes, "kidneys"; and as concerns
supra-, meaning "above"). They are chiefly responsible for regulating the stress response through the
synthesis of corticosteroids and catecholamines, including cortisol and adrenaline (epinephrine),
respectively.

Disorder in the Endocrine System

1. DIABETES MELLITUS:

pancreas does not secrete enough insulin cells cannot absorb glucose low energy levels,
sugar in urine, more urine, thirst

1. DIABETES INSIPIDUS:

posterior pituitary does not make enough ADH or its effects are blocked, ADH helps absorb
water in the kidneys low ADH causes large volumes of urine

1. HYPERTHYROIDISM (GRAVES DISEASE):

hypersecretion of thyroxine by the thyroid gland, thyroid may be malfunctioning or too much
TSH from pituitary, increased metabolic rate, inc. heart rate, weight loss, sweating, high B.P.,
eyeballs protrude, hot

1. HYPOTHYROIDISM (GOITER):

an iodine deficiency causes less thyroxine to be released by the thyroid gland thus causing low
metabolic rate, weight gain, cold, slow pulse, puffy, also low thyroxine breaks the negative
feedback loop thus the pituitary keeps releasing TSH causing the thyroid to swell up

1. HYPOTHYROIDISM (CRETINISM): in babies

normal thyroxine levels at birth via the mother through the placenta

low thyroxine after birth abnormal bone development, mental retardation, low body temp.,
lethargy, stunted growth

1. HYPOTHYROIDISM (MYXEDEMA): in adults

low thyroxine low metabolic rate, lethargy, weight gain, edema, hair loss

1. DWARFISM:

the anterior pituitary does not release enough growth hormone reduced muscle and bone
growth, stunted

1. GIGANTISM:

the anterior pituitary releases too much growth hormone bones and muscles grow to
abnormally large sizes

1. SADS (Seasonal Affective Disorder):

pineal gland behind the eye releases too much melatonin cells prepare for winter, sleepy,
sad, tired, gain weight, depressed

1. ACROMEGALY:

anterior pituitary releases too much growth hormone after the growth plates have fused
together, bones can no longer grow in length but instead widen & thicken.

Ways to keep the endocrine system healthy

Reduce Stress
Healthy Diet
Regular Exercise