Summary of the Endocrine System

Endocrine System



OVERVIEW



 The endocrine system: collection of specialised cells, tissues, and glands that
produce and secrete circulating chemical messenger molecules called hormones.
 Endocrine glands: ductless organs that secrete their products into interstitial
fluid, lymph and blood.
 Exocrine glands: secrete products such as mucous, sweat, tears, and digestive
fluid into ducts that empty into appropriate sites.

Organ Hormones it Secretes Functions of Hormones
1. Hypothalam  Releasing hormones  Producing hormones
us  Inhibiting hormones that will stimulate other
(homeostasis)  GnRH organs to release/inhibit
 Make and secrete LH
and FSH
2. Anterior  ANTERIOR:  ANTERIOR:
pituitary o Adrenocorticotropi o Controls
gland c hormone (ACTH) production of
(creates, o Thyroid cortisol
releases and stimulating o Controls
stores) hormone (TSH) production of
3. Posterior o Follicle thyroid hormone
pituitary stimulating o Control
gland (stores hormone (FSH) production of
and releases) o Luteinising sperm and ova
hormone (LH) o Causes Leydig
o Prolactin cells to produce
o Growth hormone testosterone and
 POSTERIOR: for ovulation
o Antidiuretic start
hormone (ADH) o Milk production
o Oxytocin and development
of mammary
glands
o Height, bones,
muscles,
metabolism
 POSTERIOR:
o Reduces amount
of water lost in
urine
o Stimulate
contractions in
childbirth and
breast tissue to
lactate after
childbirth
4. Adrenal gland  CORTEX:  CORTEX:
cortex o Cortisol o Regulates body’s
5. Adrenal gland (glucocorticoid) stress response
medulla o Aldosterone and blood
(metabolism, (mineralocorticoid glucose levels
immune system, ) o Regulates blood
blood pressure,  MEDULLA: pressure (Na+ &
stress response) o Epinephrine K+)

, Endocrine System


o Norepinephrine  MEDULLA:
o Fight/flight
response
o Rest/digest
response
6. Kidneys  Erythropoietin  Red blood cell
(removes  Renin production
waste and  Blood pressure
extra fluid regulation (Na+ & K+)
from body)
7. Pineal gland  Melatonin  Sleep and circadian
(sleep-wake/li rhythm regulation
ght-dark cycle
regulation)
8. Thyroid  THYROID:  THYROID:
gland o Thyroxine o Digestion, heart
(metabolism) o Triiodothyronine & muscle
9. Parathyroid o Calcitonin function, brain
gland (to  PARATHYROID: development,
make o Parathyroid maintenance of
parathyroid hormone (PTH) bones
hormone) o Metabolic rate,
heart, digestion,
muscle, brain,
bones
o Regulates
calcium levels
(wow what a
surprise)
 PARATHYROID:
o Removes calcium
and phosphate
from bone
o Increases
absorption of
calcium by
digestive tract
o Causes kidneys
to retain calcium
and excrete
phosphate
10. Thymus  Thymosin  Stimulates development
gland (T-cells)  Thymopoietin of T-cells
 Production of T-cells
 Helps lymphocytes
mature
11. Heart (pump  Atrial natriuretic hormone  Lower blood pressure
blood around and control electrolyte
body) homeostasis
 Increases sodium
excretion
 Dilates blood vessels
12. Stomach  Gastrin  Secretion of HCl in
(digestion & stomach, gastric motility
absorption) and gastric mucosal
growth
13. Pancreas  Glucagon (alpha cells)  Increases blood glucose
(endocrine &  Insulin (beta cells) levels
exocrine  Somatostatin (delta cells)  Facilitating cell glucose