Endocrine system Flordeliza M.

De Jesus, MD Pituitary gland/hypophysis cerebri Small oval structure attached to the undersurface of the brain by the infubdibulum Located in the sella turcica of the sphenoid bone Its hormone secretion influences the activities of many other endocrine glands, hence referred to as the master endocrine gland Vital to life Divided into 2 lobes anterior (adenohypophysis) and posterior (neurohypophysis) Hypothalamic connections Hypothalamo-hypophysial portal system blood vessels connecting the anterior lobe to the hypothalamus. This transmits the releasing factors to the anterior lobe Hypothalamo-hypophysial nerve tract connection of the posterior lobe of pituitary to the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus. Hormones vassopressin and oxytocin are released at the axon terminals in the posterior lobe of pituitary Blood supply and venous drainage of the pituitary gland Superior and inferior hypophyseal arteries from the internal carotid artery Veins drain into the intercavernous sinus Pineal gland Small gland shape like a pine cone (hence its name) Located in the midline attached to the posterior end of the roof of 3rd ventricle, over hanging the midbrain Roughly 1 cm in length Function of pineal gland Secretes melatonin, serum concentration of which is low during daylight, increase to a peak during the dark Melatonin is not a major regulator of sleep pattern, but undoubtedly has some effects Decrease serum level among elderly insomniacs Has anti-gonadotropic effects Thyroid gland Encapsulated bilobed gland Enclosed by the pretracheal fascia outside the capsule An isthmus connects the 2 lobes across the midline, in front of 2nd -4th tracheal rings Weighs about 25 gms Blood supply of thyroid gland The blood supply of thyroid gland comes from: External carotid superior thyroid Thyrocervical artery inferior thyroid Arch of aorta/left common carotid/or brachiocephalic thyroidea ima

Function of thyroid gland Secretion of thyroxin and triidothyronine, which increase metabolic activity of most cells in the body, increase oxygen consumption and heat production Also produces the hormone thyrocalcitonin, that lowers the blood calcium level Not under the control of the pituitary but stimulated by hypercalcemia and suppressed by hypocalcemia Parathyroid gland Weighs about 25 mg Located on the posterior surface of the thyroid gland Usually 2 pairs, upper pair being more constant in position at the middle part of posterior surface of thyroid gland Blood supply comes from superior and inferior thyroid arteries Function of parathyroid glands Secrete parathormone Osteoclastic hormone, mobilize calcium from bones, increase absorption of calcium from intestine, increase reabsorption of calcium in proximal convoluted tubules Thymus gland A bilobed organ located in the superior mediastinum directly behind the manubrium. It is the primary or central lymphoid organ Its function is production of T (thymic) lymphocytes that are seeded to the rest of the lymphatic system. Thymic hormone Thymosin - influences the maturation and function of lymphocytes within the thymus and elsewhere in the body Blood supply of thymus gland Inferior thyroid artery Internal thoracic artery Suprarenal glands Paired glands Yellowish retroperitoneal organs that lie on the upper pole of the kidneys Surrounded by renal ( Gerotas) fascia but separated from the kidney by perirenal fats Right suprarenal gland Pyramidal, caps the upper pole of the right kidney Relations Anterior right lobe of the liver Medially partly overlapped by inferior vena cava Posteriorly rests on the diaphragm

Left suprarenal gland Cresentic or semilunar, extends along the medial border of the left kidney from upper pole to the hilus. Relations Anterior pancreas, lesser sac, and stomach Posterior rest on the diaphragm Blood supply and venous drainage Blood supply Superior suprarenal from inferior phrenic artery Middle suprarenal from abdominal aorta Inferior suprarenal from renal artery Venous drainage Right suprarenal vien, drains directly in the inferior vena cava - Left suprarenal vein, drains into the left renal vein Parts of suprarenal glands Suprarenal cortex, function controlled by anterior lobe of pituitary through a hormone adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) Hormones secreted by the cortex Mineral corticoids, control fluid and electrolyte balace Glucocorticoids, control metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins Small amount of sex hormone, probably paly a role in the prepubertal development of sex organs Suprarenal medulla Secretes athecholamines, epinephrine and norepinephrine Pancreas Endocrine function of pancreas Endocrine part of pancreas islets of Langerhans, numerous in the tail Four cells in the islets Alpha - secretes glucagon in response to increas blood glucose Beta - secretes insulin Delta secretes somatostatin Insulin Insulin promotes rapid absorption, storage and utilization of glucose and with important effects in fats and protein metabolism