ENDOCRI

NE
SYSTEM

Anatomy
And
Physiolo
gy

Different Endocrine Glands

Pituitary gland(hypophesis)
Lies in the sella turcica of the middle

crainial fossa(the bony floor that

supports the brain)
It is composed of two parts: the
APG(adenohypophysis) and the
PPG(neurohypophysis)
The hypothalamus controls both the
APG and PPG. And therefore, it
controls the other pituitary glands

APG Hormone And Functions

Growth Hormone. It is also known as

somatotropin/somatotropic
hormone(STH)
It is concerned with the growth of
cells, bones and soft tissues
It affects carbohydrate, protein and
fats metabolism
It increases blood glucose levels by
decreasing glucose utilization; an
insulin antagonist

APG Hormone And Functions

Prolactin(PRL). Also called as

mammotropic hormone, lactotropic

hormone, luteotropic hormone.
It is necessary for breast
development and lactation
It regulates reproductive function in
males and females
Thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH)
- Controls the function of the thyroid
gland

APG Hormone And Functions

Gonadotropic Hormone/Gonadotropin
Two gonadotropins are FSH and LH
They affect the development of secondary sex

characteristics
They are necessary for gametogenesis and sex
steroid production in males and females
Adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH) or
adrenocorticotropin
Controls the function of the adrenal glands
Melanocyte-stimulating hormone(MSH)
- Necessary for pigmentation e.g. skin, retina
(melanin epithelial pigment layer)

PPG Hormone And Functions

Antidiuretic hormone(ADH)/Vasopressin
Major control of osmolality(concentration)

and body water volume

It increases water reabsorption in the
collecting ducts of the kidneys
Oxytocin
Promotes milk let down in lactating
breast
Causes increase uterine contraction after
labor has begun

Thyroid gland

Triiodothyronine/T3 and Thyroxine/T4

Regulate metabolic rate of cells
Regulate carbohydrate, fat and protein

metabolism
Acts as insulin antagonist
Maintain growth hormone secretion and promote
skeletal mmaturation
Affect CNS development
Affect cardiac rate, force and output
Affect O2 utilization
Stimulate lipid turnover, free fatty acid release
and cholesterol synthesis
Stimulate SNS activity

Thyroid gland

Thyrocalcitonin/Calcitonin
Lowers serum Calcium level
Inhibits osteoclastic activity
Lowers phosphate levels
Decrease Ca and P absorption in the
GI tract
The relationship of calcitonon and Ca
is inverse

Adrenal gland

2 division: cortex and medulla

Adrenal cortex hormones control 3S: sugar,salt,sex
Glucocorticoids(cortisol)
Maintain blood glucose level
Enhance gluconeogenesis(protein and fat(lipolysis)

catabolism)
Have anti iflammatory effect
Decrease T-lymphocyte participation in cell
mediated immunity(immunosupressant)
Decrease new antibody release
Increase gastric acid and pepsin production(may
cause GI irritation)
Maintain emotional stability

Adrenal gland

Mineralocorticoids(e.g.aldosterone)
Maintain sodium and volume status(salt)
Increase sodium reabsorption in distal

tubule of the kidneys

Increase potassium and hydrogen
excretion in distal tubules
Aldosterone is pro-sodium/anti potassium
Increased aldosterone level results to:
hypernatrimia/hypokalemia
Decrease aldosterone level results to:
hyponatrimia/hyperkalemia

Adrenal gland

Sex hormone(androgen & estrogen)

Responsible for some secondary sex

characteristics in females. In males, these

hormone work like gonadal steroids
The adrenal medulla secrete
catecholamines(epinephrine &
norepinephrine) through stimulation of the
SNS and medulla oblongata
The effects of sympatho-adreno-medullary
response(SAMR) stimulation on body organs
are as follows: (Concept: every function is
high and fast, except GI and GU.)

Sympatho-Adreno-Medullary
Response
Brain
Eyes

Increase alertness,

Heart

Lungs

Peripheral

blood vessels

restlessness
Dilation of pupils, relaxation of
ciliary bodies
Increased HR, contractility,
stroke volume; coronary
vasodilation
Relaxation of bronchial
muscles/bronchodilstion,
increased RR
Vasocconstriction, increased
BP

Sympatho-Adreno-Medullary
Response
Mouth

Decrease salivary gland

Skin

Pilomotor muscle

GI tract

Kidneys

secretion, dry mouth/thirst

contraction, localize
sweating/cold clammy
skin
Decrease production of
GI secretion/motility and
contraction of sphincter
Increase renin secretion

Sympatho-Adreno-Medullary
Response
Urinary

Relaxation of detrusor muscles

bladder
Liver

Glycogenolysis,

and contraction of sphincter

gluconeogenesis; increase
serum glucose level
Decrease secretion of islet
pancreas
cells, decreased insulin
secretion, increased serum
glucose levels
Relaxation of the gallbladder
Gallbladder
lipolysis
Fat cells

Pancreas

The islet of Langerhans perform

the endocrine function of the

pancreas.
2 type of cells
Alpha cell: secretes
glucagon(enhances
gluconeogenesis-breakdown of
fats and protein into glucose-and
elevates blood glucose level
Beta cell: secretes insulin

Pancreas

Insulin produces the ff. effects

Liver cells
increased glycogenesis
Increased fatty acid synthesis
Decreased glycogenolysis, glyconeogenesis, and

ketogenesis
Adipose tissue
Increased fatty acid synthesis
Increased glycerol synthesis and formation
Decreased lypolysis
Muscle
Increased glycogenesis
Increased amino acid uptake and protein synthesis
Decreases protein catabolism
Overall effect of insulin: lowers glucose level

Parathyroid glands

Produce parathormone(PTH)
Regulates calcium and prophorous balance
Elevates serum calcium levels by withdrawal

of calcium from the bones

Low serum calcium level stimulates PTH
release
The relationship of PTH and calcium is direct
proportion
The relationship of PTH and phosphorous is
inverse
PTH elevates serum calcium levels and
inversely lowers and inversely lowers
phosphorous levels

Physiologic Changes With Aging

Decrease ovarian functioning resulting in

changes in reproductive and sexual function

Impaired secretion of hypothalamic hormones
influences responsiveness to changes in the
internal environment and to stressors
Decrease level of prolactin and growth
hormone
Increased level of ADH; however alteration in
the renal function decrease the ability of the
elderly to concentrate urine and hyponatremia
can result; noctoria is also commonly present
Hypothyroidism occurs due to changes in
thyroid gland structure

Physiologic Changes With Aging

Decrease vitamin D levels, negative calcium

balance, bone loss, decrease intestinal

adaptation to varied calcium intake
Renin-aldosterone response to postural changes
and volume depletion is depressed. The client is
at risk of postural hypotension
Impaired glucose tolerance due to delayed
glucose-induced insulin secretion, altered
hepatic handling of glucose and impaired
insulin-mediated glucose uptake. NIDDM is one
of the more chronic disease among the elderly
Decrease size of the liver
Decrease in enzymes involve in the metabolism
with drugs. Increase propensity of drug toxicity