ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

MODULE 24

Objectives:
After completing this topic you should be able to:
Explain the generic role of the
endocrine system
Describe the relationship between the
pituitary and the hypothalamus
Describe the hormonal control of
glucose levels

blood

Introduction:
There is a second system in the body that is
responsible for relaying information and maintaining
homeostasisthe endocrine system. While the nerve
impulses are essentially immediate in their action,
hormones are usually slower in their initiation of
response but also exhibit their effects for a longer period
of time. Therefore we often find that the nervous system
may exert short term control while long term control is
mediated by hormones.

FUNCTIONS
Coordinates, together with the nervous
activities of the body
Involved in the synthesis and secretion of
Hormonal functions include:

system, the
hormones

control of energy production and utilization

control of the composition of extracellular
electrolytes
maintains normal growth and development

water and

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

diameter
the brain

1.0 cm in
located at the base of

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 the pituitary gland

Anterior lobe or adenohypophysis
Secretes 6 hormones:
FSH, follicle-stimulating hormone

LH, luteinizing hormone (in female) or ICSH,

(in male)

interstitial cell-stimulating hormone

luteotrophic hormone or prolactin

ACTH, adrenocorticotrophic or prolactin
TSH, thyroid-stimulating hormone
STH, somatotrophic hormone or GH, growth

hormone

Divisions of the pituitary gland

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

Gland

Hormones

Major
Functions

Disorder
fromtoo
much
secretion

Disorder
fromtoo
little
secretion

Hypothalamus

Releasing
hormones

Stimulates
anterior
pituitary

Overactive
anterior
pituitary

Underactive
anterior
pituitary

Thyroidstimulating
(TSH)

Stimulates
thyroid

Overactive
thyroid

Underactive
thyroid

Adrenocorticotropic
(ACTH)

Stimulates
adrenal
cortex

Overactive
adrenal
cortex

Underactive
adrenal
cortex

Folliclestimulating
(FSH)

Regulates
eggand
sperm
production

Overactive
ovaries/testes

Underactive
ovaries/testes

Luteinizing
(LH)or
Interstitialcellstimulating
(ICSH)

Regulates
sex
hormones
production

Oversecretionof
sexhormones

Undersecretionof
sexhormones

Prolactin(PRL)

Causesmilkproduction
aftergiving
birth

Oversecretionof
milk

Undersecretionof
milk

Gigantism

Dwarfism

Anterior
pituitary

Growth(GH)

Promotes
growth

Table 24.1 Major endocrine glands and their hormones cont.

Gland

Hormones

Major
Functions

Posterior
pituitary

Antidiuretic
(ADH)

Causeswater
retentionbykidneys

Oxytocin

Melatonin

Causes
uterine
contraction
Inhibits
releaseof
gonadotropin

Regulates
development
andfunctions
ofimmune
system

Pineal

Disorder
fromtoo
much
secretion

(Diverse)

Disorder
fromtoo
little
secretion

Diabetes
insipidus

Sexual
immaturity

Sexual
maturity

Overactive
immunity

Underactive
immunity

Thymus

Thymosin

Thyroxin

Increases
metabolic
rateand
cellular
respiration

Exophthalmic
goiter

Simple
goiter,
cretinism

Calcitonin

Parathormone
(PTH)

Decreases
plasmalevel
ofcalcium
Increases
plasmalevels
ofcalcium
and
phosphorus

Tetany

Weakbones

Weakbones

Tetany

Cortisol

Aldosterone

Causes
gluconeogenesis
Causes
sodium
retentionand
potassium
excretionby
kidneys

Cushings
syndrome

Addisons
syndrome

Thyroid

Parathyroid

Adrenal
cortex

Table 24.1 Major endocrine glands and their hormones cont.

Gland

Adrenal
medulla

Pancreas

Hormones

Epinephrine and
norepinephrine

Major
functions

Disorder
fromtoo
much
secretion

Disorder
fromtoo
little
secretion

Shock

Diabetes
mellitus

Promotes
flight or fight
reactions

Lower blood sugar

Insulin

Raises blood sugar

Glucagon

Testes

Androgen
(Testosterone)

Promotes
secondary
male
characteristics

Ovaries

Estrogen and
progesterone

Promotes
secondary
female
characteristics

Self-Test 24.0

Endocrine System

A. Match the terms to the following

definitions
B.Anterior pituitary
E. Pancreas
C.Posterior pituitary
F. Adrenal
D.Thyroid
G. Testes
E.Parathyroid
H. Ovaries

Self-Test 24.0

Endocrine System

____1. Maintains the supply of Ca and P in the body.

____2. Regulates smooth muscles and constricts blood vessels.
____3. Secretes growth hormone.
____4. Secretes stimulating hormones.
____5. Secretes thyroxin that regulates growth and development.
____6. Both an exocrine and endocrine gland.
____7. Promotes Flight or fight reactions during
emergency.
____8. Promotes female secondary sexual characteristics.
____9. Secrete testosterone.
____10. Secretes insulin that lowers blood sugar.

Self-Test 24.0

Endocrine System

B.Match the following ductless glands to the hormones they secreted.

____11. Hypothalamus
____12. Pituitary
____13. Pineal
____14. Thymus
____15. Thyroid
____16. Parathyroid
____17. Adrenal
____18. Pancreas
____19. Testes
____20. Ovaries

A. Melatonin
B. FSH and LH
C. Testosterone
D. Thyroxin
E. Epinephrine
F. Estrogen
G. GnRH
H. Insulin
I. PTH
J. Thymosin

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
MODULE 24