The Human Endocrine System

Endocrine System

It is a complex network of glands and organs.
It uses hormones to control and coordinate your body's metabolism, energy level, reproduction, growth and development, and response to injury, stress, and mood.

Hormones

are chemical substances that act like messenger molecules in the body.

Pituitary Gland

a gland located in the brain.
Also called master gland because it controls the other endocrine glands.

Human growth hormone (HGH)

Promotes the release of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), which are responsible for the production of proteins in the body; maintain muscle and bone growth; also helps in healing injuries and repair of tissues.

Thyroid-stimulating hormones (TSH)

Helps in producing and secreting the thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

it targets the ovaries by initiating the development of the follicles in the ovary, which happens monthly.

Luteinizing-hormones

Initiates ovulation or the process in which the mature egg cell is release from the ovary; also controls the secretion of progesterone (female sex hormones)

It helps in spermatogenesis and initiates production of testosterone.

Prolactin

Initiating and maintaining the production of milk in the mammary glands.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

Responsible for the production and secretion of glucocorticoids, the hormones released by the adrenal gland.

Oxytocin

Activated during and after giving birth; targets the uterus to cause it to contract during giving birth; also controls milk secretion in the breasts after giving birth
Also known as the Love drug or Love hormone

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

Causes the kidneys to decrease urine production, which helps in conserving more body water.

Hypothalamus

Also located in the brain, and it controls the function of the pituitary glands

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)

Controls the secretion of the TSH

Gonadotropin-releasing hormones (GnRH)

stimulates the production of FSH and LH

Corticotropin-releasing hormones

initiates the secretion of the ACTH

Thyroid gland

Butterfly-shaped gland that composed of the right and left lobe
Located below the larynx or the voice box.

Calcitonin

Responsible for maintaining the calcium level in the body.

Parathyroid gland

It secretes parathyroid hormones that regulate the Ca, Mg, and Phosphate levels in the blood.
Can be found in the posterior surface of the thyroid gland.

Pancreas

Located in the duodenum of the small intestine.

Insulin

Helps in lowering the amount of glucose in the blood when it is too high.

Glucagon

Helps in increasing the amount of glucose in the blood when it is too low.

Glucocorticoids

Break down proteins and triglycerides needed by the body; help in the formation of glucose; have an anti-inflammatory effects; cause suppression of immune responses.

Androgens

Secreted by both males and females, but it is important hormones esp. for females because these are converted into estrogen.

Epinephrine (adrenaline)
norepinephrine (noradrenaline)

Released during strenuous activities, such as exercise. Controls the heart rate, blood pressure, blood level, and breathing level.

Gonads

produce sex cells or gametes.
are the ovaries for female, and testes for the males.

Ovaries

Located in the pelvic cavity.

Testes can be found at the scrotum.

Estrogen

Responsible for the female secondary sex characteristics

Progesterone

Helps in pregnancy, lactation, and menstrual cycle.

Testosterone

Helps in the production of sperm and the development of male secondary sex characteristics

Melatonin

Regulates sleep cycle.

Thymosine

Acts as antibody