Endocrine System

Endocrine System
• The endocrine system includes the
endocrine glands and their hormones
• The function of the endocrine system is
to secrete hormones into the
bloodstream.
• The function of the endocrine
system is for the production and
regulation of chemical substances
called hormones.
 Hormone:
• A Chemical messenger
which targets a specific
group of cells, in order to
cause that group of cells
do some activity or stop
doing an activity.
 • A hormone is a chemical
transmitter. It is released in small
amounts from glands, and is
transported in the bloodstream to
target organs or other cells.
Hormones are chemical
messengers, transferring
information and instructions from
one set of cells to another.
• Hormones regulate growth,
development, mood, tissue
function, metabolism, and
sexual function.
Hyposecretion or hypersecretion
of any hormone can be harmful to
the body. Controlling the
production of hormones can treat
many hormonal disorders in the
body.
 Endocrine System
• Exocrine glands release their secretions into
ducts, or tubes
– Liver Bile released into the gallbladder, then
through a duct into the small intestine
– Pancreas releases pancreatic juice into the small
intestine via a duct
• Endocrine Glands are called ductless glands
– Release hormones directly into the bloodstream
– Blood transports hormones throughout the body
– Each hormone acts on only a certain kind of tissue
called its target tissue
 Endocrine System
• Each hormone acts on a certain kind of
tissue called its target tissue
 Human Endocrine Glands
• Pituitary
• Thyroid
• Parathyroid
• Adrenal
• Pancreas (Islets of
Langerhans)
• Pineal Gland
• Thymus Gland
• Testes and Ovaries
 Pituitary
• Pituitary gland is a round organ about the
size of a pea (~1 cm in diameter), located
behind the bridge of the nose at the base of
the brain
• Secretes 9 different hormones, which affect
many different areas of the body, including:
• Growth
• Blood pressure
• Regulation of Pregnancy
• Breast milk production
• Sex organ functions in both men and women
• Thyroid gland function
• Metabolism
• Water regulation in the body (kidneys)
• Temperature regulation
 Role of the Pituitary
• The pituitary is the “master gland” that signals
other glands to produce their hormones when
needed.
• The anterior lobe of the pituitary receives
signals from the hypothalamus, and responds by
sending out the appropriate hormone to other
endocrine glands.
• The posterior pituitary receives oxytocin or
antidiuretic hormone (ADH) from the
hypothalamus, relays them to the body as
necessary.
 hypothalamus
Neurosecretory cells of
Neurosecretory cells the hypothalamus produce
1 oxytocin and ADH
1 of the hypothalamus
produce releasing and
inhibiting hormones

2 Releasing or inhibiting hormones

(green circles) are secreted into
capillaries feeding the anterior lobe
of the pituitary

2
blood flow
pituitary Oxytocin and ADH
(anterior lobe) (blue triangles) are
secreted into the blood
endocrine via capillaries in the
cell posterior pituitary
capillary pituitary
bed (posterior lobe)

3 capillary
bed

Endocrine cells of the

anterior pituitary secrete
hormones (red squares)
in response to releasing blood
hormones; the pituitary flow
hormones enter the
bloodstream
 Pituitary Hormones
Pituitary Hormone Functions
Follicle-stimulating Stimulates egg maturation in the ovary and release of sex hormones.
hormone
Lutenizing hormone Stimulates maturation of egg and of the corpus luteum surrounding
the egg, which affects female sex hormones and the menstrual cycle.

Thyroid-stimulating Stimulates the thyroid to release thyroxine.

hormone
Adrenocorticotropic Causes the adrenal gland to release cortisol.
hormone
Melanocyte-stimulating Stimulates synthesis of skin pigments.
hormone
Growth hormone Stimulates growth during infancy and puberty.

Antidiuretic hormone Signals the kidney to conserve more water.

Oxytocin Affects childbirth, lactation, and some behaviors.

 Growth Hormone
(GH): essential for
the growth and
development of
bones, muscles, and
other organs. It also
enhances protein
synthesis,
decreases the use of
glucose, and
promotes fat
destruction.
 Growth Hormone
• Oversecretion of growth hormone:
– Giantism in childhood and acromegaly in adults
(bones of face, hands and feet enlarge)

• Undersecretion of growth hormone:

– Dwarfism in childhood
 Adrenocorticotropin
(TRŌ pun) (ACTH):
essential for the
growth of the
adrenal cortex.

Thyroid-Stimulating
Hormone (TSH):
essential for the growth
and development of the
thyroid gland.
 Follicle-Stimulating
Hormone (FSH): is a
gonadotropic hormone.

It stimulates the
growth ovarian
follicles in the female
and the production of
sperm in the male.
 Luteinizing
Hormone (LH): is a
gonadotropic
hormone
stimulating the
development of
corpus luteum in
the female ovarian
follicles and the
The yellow corpus luteum production of
remains after ovulation; it testosterone in the
produces estrogen and male.
progesterone.
 Prolactin (PRL):
stimulates the
development and
growth of the
mammary glands
and milk production
during pregnancy.

The sucking motion of the

baby stimulates prolactin
secretion.
 Melanocyte-stimulating
hormone (MSH): regulates skin
pigmentation and promotes
the deposit of melanine in the
skin after exposure to sunlight
 Antidiuretic
Hormone (ADH):
stimulates the
reabsorption of
water by the
renal tubules.
Hyposecretion
of this hormone
can result in
diabetes
insipidus.
Oxytocin: stimulates
the uterus to contract
during labor,
delivery, and
parturition. A
synthetic version of
this hormone, used
to induce labor, is
called Pitocin. It also
stimulates the
mammary glands to
release milk.
 Thyroid
• Located in the neck
• Releases hormone thyroxin
• Function is to regulate rates of metabolism in the
body
– Essential for normal physical and mental development

• Oversecretion of thyroxin:
– Results in nervousness and weight loss
• Undersecretion of thyroxin:
– Results in cretinism (mental retardation, small size) in
children
 The thyroid gland plays a vital role in
metabolism and regulates the body’s metabolic
processes.
• Calcitonin:
influences bone
and calcium
metabolism;
maintains a
homeostasis of
calcium in the
blood plasma
 Thyroid

• Iodine deficiency in your diet results in

goiter (enlargement of thyroid gland)
 Parathyroid

Function is to control metabolism of calcium

– Necessary for normal nerve and muscle function,
blood clotting, healthy bones and teeth
• Located in back of thyroid gland (in neck)
• Hormone released is parathormone (PTH)
• Undersecretion of parathormone results in
nerve disorders, brittle bones and clotting
problems
 Adrenal Glands (Kidney
Hats)
• Located at the top of each kidney
• Hormones released are cortisone and
adrenaline / Epinephrine
• Function of cortisone is to regulate
carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism ;
• has an anti-inflammatory effect; helps the
body cope during times of stress

– promotes conversion of fats and proteins to glucose

• Function of adrenaline is to raise blood sugar

levels and increases heartbeat and breathing
rates
 Epinephrine is also called adrenalin. It elevates
systolic blood pressure, increases heart rate and
cardiac output, speeds up the release of glucose
from the liver… giving a spurt of energy, dilates
the bronchial tubes and relaxes airways, and
dilates the pupils to see more clearly. It is often
used to counteract an allergic reaction.
Norepinephrine, like epinephrine, is released when
the body is under stress. It creates the underlying
influence in the fight or flight response. As a drug,
however, it actually triggers a drop in heart rate.
 Adrenal
• Undersecretion of adrenaline results in the
inability to deal with stress
Dopamine is used
to treat shock. It
dilates the
arteries, elevates
systolic blood
pressure,
increases cardiac
output, and
increases urinary
output.
 Aldosterone: essential in regulating
electrolyte and water balance by
promoting sodium and chloride
retention and potassium excretion.

Androgens: several
hormones including
testosterone; they
promote the
development of
secondary sex
characteristics in
the male.
 Islet of Langerhans
• Are small clusters of cells Located
in the pancreas
• Hormones secreted are insulin
and glucagon

• Insulin stimulates glucose uptake

by cells

• Glucagon promotes conversion

of glycogen (animal-based
carbohydrate) to glucose
 Beta cells secrete the
hormone insulin, which is
Alpha cells essential for the maintenance
facilitate the of normal blood sugar levels.
breakdown of Inadequate levels result in
glycogen to diabetes mellitus.
glucose. This
elevates the blood
sugar.

Delta cells suppress

the release of
glucagon and
insulin.
 Blood Sugar Regulation
• Oversecretion of insulin results in low
blood sugar
• Undersecretion of insulin results in high
blood sugar
– This can lead to a condition known as
diabetes
 Diabetes-Type 1
• Type 1- Usually found in children and young
adults; the body doesn’t make enough insulin
– Symptoms:
• Frequent urination
• Unusual thirst
• Extreme hunger
• Unusual weight loss
• Extreme fatigue and Irritability
 Diabetes- Type 2
• Type 2- Either the body doesn’t produce
enough insulin, or the cells ignore it.
– If you consume too much sugar over a long
period of time, your body has to release large
amounts of insulin. This can result in your
cells building up a tolerance for insulin,
which means they won’t be affected by it.
– Symptoms:
• Any of the type 1 symptoms
• Frequent infections
• Blurred vision
• Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
• Tingling/numbness in the hands/feet
• Recurring skin, gum, or bladder infections
 The pineal gland is pine-cone-shaped
and only about 1 cm in diameter.
Melatonin: communicates
information about
environmental lighting
to various parts of the
body. Has some effect
on sleep/awake cycles and
other biological events
connected to them, such
as a lower production of
gastric secretions at night.
 Serotonin: a
neurotransmitter that
regulates intestinal
movements and affects
appetite, mood, sleep, anger,
and metabolism.
The thymus gland has
two lobes, and is part
of the lymphatic
system. It is a
ductless gland, and
secretes thymosin.
This is necessary for
the Thymus’ normal
production of T cells
for the immune
system.
 The ovaries produce
several estrogen hormones
and progesterone. These
hormones prepare the
uterus for pregnancy,
promote the development
of mammary glands, play a
role in sex drive, and
develop secondary sex
characteristics in the
female.
Estrogen is essential for the growth, development,
and maintenance of female sex organs.
The testes produce
the male sex
hormone called
testosterone. It is
essential for normal
growth and
development of the
male sex organs.
Testosterone is
responsible for the
erection of the
penis.
 Endocrine Hormones
Gland Hormones Functions
Thyroid Thyroxine Regulates metabolism
Calcitonin Inhibits release of calcium from the bones
Parathyroids Parathyroid hormone Stimulates the release of calcium from the bones.
Islet cells (in Insulin Decreases blood sugar by promoting uptake of glucose by cells.
the pancreas)
Glucagon Increases blood sugar by stimulating breakdown of glycogen in the
liver.
Testes Testosterone Regulates sperm cell production and secondary sex
characteristics.
Ovaries Estrogen Stimulates egg maturation, controls secondary sex characteristics.
Progesterone Prepares the uterus to receive a fertilized egg.
Adrenal Epinephrine Stimulates “fight or flight” response.
cortex
Adrenal Glucocorticoids Part of stress response, increase blood glucose levels and
medulla decrease immune response.
Aldosterone Regulates sodium content in the blood.
 W
• Use the table on the last slide to diagnose O
the following endocrine issues: R
K
• A patient who feels cold and listless all
the time. T
O
• A patient who is constantly keyed up G
and nervous. E
T
• An elderly patient who is having H
chronic trouble falling asleep at night. E
R
 Endocrine System Control
• Regulated by feedback mechanisms
– 2 types of feedback mechanisms
1. positive feedback
2. negative feedback
 Feedback Mechanisms
• Negative Feedback mechanisms:
– Act like a thermostat in a home
– As the temperature cools, the thermostat detects
the change and triggers the furnace to turn on and
warm the house
– Once the temperature reaches its thermostat
setting, the furnace turns off
• Example: Body sugar increases after a meal, so the
pancreas secretes insulin, which tells the body’s cells
to take in glucose. Once blood sugar levels reach
normal, the pancreas stops making insulin.
• Often used to maintain homeostasis
 Negative Feedback
• Homeostasis is often maintained by
two hormones who have antagonistic
effects
– Each hormone does the opposite of the
other.
• For example, if the blood pressure drops too
low, the pituitary releases ADH, which causes
the kidneys to reabsorb more water. If it the
blood pressure increases too much, then the
heart will release ANH, which will cause the
kidneys to reabsorb less water.
 Positive Feedback
Mechanisms
• Positive Feedback mechanisms control events
that can be out of control and do not require
continuous adjustment
• Rarely used to maintain homeostasis
• Example of positive feedback found in childbirth
– Oxytocin stimulates and enhances labor contractions
– As labor continues, more oxytocin is produced
– Intensifies contractions until the baby is outside birth
canal
– Oxytocin production stops and labor contractions
stop