ENDOCRINE

SYSTEM

Functions
1. Coordinates, together with the
nervous system, the activities
of the body
2. Involved in the synthesis and
secretion of hormones
3. Hormonal functions include:
- control of energy production
and utilization
- control of the composition of
extracellular
water
and
electrolytes
- maintains normal growth
and development

Figure 24.1 Major endocrine glands in

human

ENDOCRINE GLANDS
ductless glands that synthesize and
secrete hormones
a hormone is an organic substance
needed by the body in minute quantities
to
elicit
a
specific
physiological
response
hormones are produced by one part of
the body that have an effect on specific
target cells located in different parts of
the body

Hypothalamus
a small gland about 1.0 cm in
diameter located at the base of
the brain
intimately associated with the
pituitary gland
secretes releasing hormones that
travel via a portal system and
stimulate the anterior pituitary

Pituitary Gland
a small gland located at the
base of the brain in the
depression of the skull
connected to the brain
through a short stalk called
infundibulum

Divisions of Pituitary Gland

1. anterior lobe or adenohypophysis
- secretes 6 hormones:

- FSH, follicle-stimulating hormone

- LH, luteinizing hormone (in female)
or ICSH, interstitial cell-stimulating
hormone (in male)
- luteotrophic hormone or prolactin
- ACTH,
adrenocorticotrophic
or
prolactin
- TSH, thyroid-stimulating hormone
- STH, somatotrophic hormone or
GH, growth hormone

Divisions of Pituitary Gland

2.Posterior lobe or neurohypophysis

- secretes 3 hormones:
- vasopressin, for constriction of the
vessels
- ADH, antidiuretic hormone
- oxytocin, controls smooth muscles

Thyroid Gland
composed of two lobes, on each side of
the trachea connected by an isthmus
secrete thyroxin that regulate growth
and development
enlargement of this gland results in a
condition known as goiter

Parathyroid Gland

small glandular bodies located on the dorsal

surface of the thyroids
secrete parathormones (PTH) that maintains
the ration of calcium and phosphorus in the
body

Thymus Gland
located between the upper part of the
sternum and the pericardium
a temporary organ which reaches greatest
development at age 14 to 16
secretes thymosin that controls metabolic
rate and involved in the formation of WBC

Adrenal Cortex
secretes cortisol and aldosterone that causes
gluconeogenesis and sodium retention and
potassium excretion in the kidneys
respectively

Adrenal Medulla
two small masses located above the kidneys
secrete epinephrine and norepinephrine
promotes flight or fight reactions during
emergency

Pancreas
both an exocrine and endocrine gland
the endocrine part consists of the islets of
Langerhans that secrete the hormone insulin
insulin lowers the blood sugar, little secretion
resulted into diabetes mellitus

Gonads
the interstitial cells (Leydig cells) of the
testes secrete testosterone
the follicles of the ovary secretes estrogen,
the corpus luteum secretes progesterone

Table 24.1 Major endocrine

glands
and their
hormones

Table 24.1 Major endocrine

glands and their
hormones(Cont.)

Table 24.1 Major endocrine

glands and their
hormones(Cont.)