Endocrine gland

Endocrine glands are glands of the endocrine system that secrete their
products, hormones, directly into the blood rather than through a duct. The
major glands of the endocrine system include the pineal gland, pituitary gland,
pancreas, ovaries, testes, thyroid gland, parathyroid gland, hypothalamus and
adrenal glands. The hypothalamus and pituitary gland are neuroendocrine
organs. Local chemical messengers, not generally considered part of the
endocrine system, include autocrines, which act on the cells that secrete them,
and paracrines, which act on a different cell type nearby.
The ability of a target cell to respond to a hormone depends on the presence of
receptors, within the cell or on its plasma membrane, to which the hormone can
bind.
Hormone receptors are dynamic structures. Changes in number and sensitivity
of hormone receptors may occur in response to high or low levels of stimulating
hormones.
Blood levels of hormones reflect a balance between secretion and
degradation/excretion. The liver and kidneys are the major organs that degrade
hormones; breakdown products are excreted in urine and feces.
Hormone half-life and duration of activity are limited and vary from hormone to
hormone.
Interaction of hormones at target cells
Permissiveness is the situation in which a hormone cannot exert its full effects
without the presence of another hormone.

Synergism occurs when two or more hormones produce the same effects in a
target cell and their results are amplified.
Antagonism occurs when a hormone opposes or reverses the effect of another
hormone.
Control of hormone release
The endocrine glands belong to the body's control system. The hormones which
they produce help to regulate the functions of cells and tissues throughout the
body. Endocrine organs are activated to release their hormones by humoral,
neural or hormonal stimuli. Negative feedback is important in regulating
hormone levels in the blood.
The nervous system, acting through hypothalamic controls, can in certain cases
override or modulate hormonal effects.
Major endocrine organs
Pituitary gland (hypophysis)
The pituitary gland hangs from the base of the brain by a stalk and is enclosed
by bone. It consists of a hormone-producing glandular portion (anterior
pituitary) and a neural portion (posterior pituitary), which is an extension of the
hypothalamus. The hypothalamus regulates the hormonal output of the anterior
pituitary and synthesizes two hormones that it exports to the posterior pituitary
for storage and later release.
Four of the six anterior pituitary hormones are tropic hormones that regulate the
function of other endocrine organs. Most anterior pituitary hormones exhibit a
diurnal rhythm of release, which is subject to modification by stimuli
influencing the hypothalamus.

Somatotropic hormone or Growth hormone (GH) is an anabolic hormone that

stimulates growth of all body tissues but especially skeletal muscle and bone. It
may act directly, or indirectly via insulin-like growth factors (IGFs). GH
mobilizes fats, stimulates protein synthesis, and inhibits glucose uptake and
metabolism. Secretion is regulated by growth hormone releasing hormone
(GHRH) and growth hormone inhibiting hormone (GHIH), or somatostatin.
Hypersecretion causes gigantism in children and acromegaly in adults;
hyposecretion in children causes pituitary dwarfism.
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) promotes normal development and activity
of the thyroid gland. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulates its
release; negative feedback of thyroid hormone inhibits it.
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulates the adrenal cortex to release
corticosteroids. ACTH release is triggered by corticotropin-releasing hormone
(CRH) and inhibited by rising glucocorticoid levels.
The gonadotropinsfollicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing
hormone (LH) regulate the functions of the gonads in both sexes. FSH
stimulates sex cell production; LH stimulates gonadal hormone production.
Gonadotropin levels rise in response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone
(GnRH). Negative feedback of gonadal hormones inhibits gonadotropin release.
Prolactin (PRL) promotes milk production in humans females. Its secretion is
prompted by prolactin-releasing hormone (PRH) and inhibited by prolactininhibiting hormone (PIH).
The neurohypophysis stores and releases two hypothalamic hormones:
Oxytocin stimulates powerful uterine contractions, which
trigger labor and delivery of an infant, and milk ejection in

nursing women. Its release is mediated reflexively by the

hypothalamus

and

represents

positive

feedback

mechanism.
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) stimulates the kidney tubules
to reabsorb and conserve water, resulting in small
volumes of highly concentrated urine and decreased
plasma osmolarity. ADH is released in response to high
solute concentrations in the blood and inhibited by low
solute concentrations in the blood. Hyposecretion results
in diabetes insipidus.
Thyroid gland
Main article: Thyroid
The thyroid gland is located in the anterior throat. Thyroid follicles store colloid
containing thyroglobulin, a glycoprotein from which thyroid hormone is
derived.
Thyroid hormone (TH) includes thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3),
which increase the rate of cellular metabolism. Consequently, oxygen use and
heat production rise.
Secretion of thyroid hormone, prompted by TSH, requires reuptake of the stored
colloid by the follicle cells and splitting of the hormones from the colloid for
release. Rising levels of thyroid hormone feed back to inhibit the pituitary and
hypothalamus.
Most T4 is converted to T3 (the more active form) in the target tissues. These
hormones act by turning on gene and protein synthesis.

Graves' disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism; hyposecretion

causes cretinism in infants and myxoedema in adults.
Calcitonin, produced by the parafollicular cells of the thyroid gland in response
to rising blood calcium levels, depresses blood calcium levels by inhibiting
bone matrix resorption and enhancing calcium deposit in bone.
Parathyroid glands
Main article: Parathyroid gland
The parathyroid glands, located on the dorsal (back) aspect of the thyroid gland,
secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH),[1] which causes an increase in blood
calcium levels by targeting bone, the intestine, and the kidneys. PTH is the
antagonist of calcitonin. PTH release is triggered by falling blood calcium levels
and is inhibited by rising blood calcium levels.
Hyperparathyroidism results in hypercalcaemia and its effects and in extreme
bone wasting. Hypoparathyroidism leads to hypocalcaemia, evidenced by tetany
seizure and respiratory paralysis.
Adrenal glands
Main article: Adrenal gland
The adrenal glands are located above the kidneys in humans and in front of the
kidneys in other animals. The adrenal glands (also known as suprarenal
glands) are endocrine glands that produce a variety of hormones including
adrenaline and the steroids aldosterone and cortisol.[2]
Pancreas
Main article: Pancreas
The pancreas, located in the abdomen close to the stomach, is both an exocrine
and an endocrine gland. The alpha and beta cells are the endocrine cells in the

pancreatic islets that release insulin and glucagon and smaller amounts of other
hormones into the blood.
The pancreas contains two kinds of tissue, both of them glandular; one kind
functions as an exocrine organ and the other as an endocrine organ. The
pancreas is located in the abdominal cavity, close to the stomach and the
duodenum.
Glucagon is released by alpha () cells when the blood glucose level is low, and
this stimulates the liver to release glucose into the blood.
Insulin is released by beta () cells when blood levels of glucose (and amino
acids) are rising. It increases the rate of glucose uptake and metabolism by most
body cells. Hyposecretion of insulin results in diabetes mellitus; cardinal signs
are polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia.
Somatostatin is released by Delta cells and act as an Inhibitor of GH, Insulin
and Glucagon.
Gonads
Main article: Gonad
The ovaries of the female, located in the pelvic cavity, release two main
hormones. Secretion of estrogens by the ovarian follicles begins at puberty
under the influence of FSH. Estrogens stimulate maturation of the female
reproductive system and development of the secondary sexual characteristics.
Progesterone is released in response to high blood levels of LH. It works with
estrogens in establishing the menstrual cycle.
The testes of the male begin to produce testosterone at puberty in response to
LH. Testosterone promotes maturation of the male reproductive organs,

development of secondary sex characteristics, and production of sperm by the

testes.
Pineal gland
Main article: Pineal gland
The pineal gland is located in the diencephalon. Its primary hormone is
melatonin, which influences daily rhythms and may have an antigonadotropic
effect in humans. It influences the melanotropes and melanocytes located in the
skin.
Other hormone-producing structures
Many body organs not normally considered endocrine organs contain isolated
cell clusters that secrete hormones. Examples include the heart (atrial natriuretic
peptide); gastrointestinal tract organs (gastrin, secretin, and others); the placenta
(hormones of pregnancyestrogen, progesterone, and others); the kidneys
(erythropoietin and renin); the thymus; skin (cholecalciferol); and adipose tissue
(leptin and resistin).
Developmental aspects of the endocrine systems
Endocrine glands derive from all three germ layers. Those derived from
mesoderm produce steroidal hormones; the others produce the amino acid
based hormones.
The natural decrease in function of the females ovaries during late middle age
results in menopause. The efficiency of all endocrine glands seems to decrease
gradually as aging occurs. This leads to a generalized increase in the incidence
of diabetes mellitus and a lower metabolic rate.
About the Endocrine System

Endocrine Glands and Hormones

The Endocrine System Essentials

The endocrine system is made up of a network of glands.
These glands secrete hormones to regulate many bodily functions,
including growth and metabolism.
Endocrine diseases are common and usually occur when glands produce
an incorrect amount of hormones.

Simply put, the endocrine system is a network of glands that secrete chemicals
called hormones to help your body function properly. Hormones are chemical
signals that coordinate a range of bodily functions.
The endocrine system works to regulate certain internal processes. (Note:
endocrine shouldnt be confused with exocrine. Exocrine glands, such as sweat
and salivary glands, secrete externally and internally via ducts. Endocrine
glands secrete hormones internally, using the bloodstream.)
The endocrine system helps control the following processes and systems:
Growth and development
Homeostasis (the internal balance of body systems)
Metabolism (body energy levels)
Reproduction

 Response to stimuli (stress and/or injury)

The Endocrine Network

The endocrine system completes these tasks through its network of glands,
which are small but highly important organs that produce, store, and secrete
hormones.
The glands of the endocrine system are:
Hypothalamus
Pineal Gland
Pituitary Gland
Thyroid
Parathyroid
Thymus
Adrenal
Pancreas
Ovaries
Testes

These glands produce different types of hormones that evoke a specific response
in other cells, tissues, and/or organs located throughout the body. The hormones
reach these faraway targets using the blood stream. Like the nervous system, the
endocrine system is one of your bodys main communicators. But instead of
using nerves to transmit information, the endocrine system uses blood vessels to
deliver hormones to cells.
Endocrine Diseases
To ensure that everything runs smoothly (that is, your body functions as it
should), certain processes must work properly:
The endocrine glands must release the correct amount of hormones (if
they release too much or too little, it is known as hormone imbalance).
Your body also needs a strong blood supply to transport the hormones
throughout the body.
There must be enough receptors (which are where the hormones attach
and do their work) at the target tissue.
Those targets must be able to respond appropriately to the hormonal
signal. The model here would be like primary hypothyroidism, where the
pituitary produces TSH, the TSH is carried via the bloodstream to the
thyroid, the thyroid has the appropriate receptors, but for whatever reason
it isnt able to effectively make or secrete thyroid hormone.

Endocrine diseases are common and happen even when one step in the process
doesnt work as it should. If you have an endocrine disease or disorder, you may

consult a specialist known as an endocrinologist who will effectively diagnose

and help treat your condition.

Endocrine Glands and Types of Hormones

Glands are located throughout various parts of the human body. These glands take on the
critical task of releasing hormones, and as a whole, they are most commonly referred to as the
endocrine system.
Take a virtual Journey Through the Endocrine System.
The following glands make up the endocrine system:

Adrenal Glands

Hypothalmus

Ovaries

Pancreas

Parathyroid

Pineal Gland

Pituitary Gland

Testes

Thymus

Thyroid