Endocrine System

Endocrine Glands

Glands that empty hormonal products directly into bloodstream

Hormones

chemical substances secreted by cells into extracellular fluids that regulate the metabolic activity of other cells in the body; Chemical messengers made in one place, but travel in the blood to a target located somewhere.

Pituitary Gland

divided into anterior and posterior

Anterior Pituitary Gland

Makes 6 hormones: Growth Hormones, Prolactin, TSH, adrenotropic hormone, FSH, and LH

Posterior Pituitary Gland

Releases Oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone

Thyroid Gland

made up of 2 lobes; makes 3 hormones: thyroxine (T4) triiodothyronine (T3) and calcitonin

Adrenal Glands

Makes 3 types of corticosteroids:

Minerlcorticoid (Aldosterone): regulate salt concentration of blood

Glucocorticoids (cortisol & cortisone): normal cell metabolism, increase blood glucose levels, decrease edema, and reduce pain

Sex hormones: Estrogen and androgens (testosterone); lipid based

Pancreas

pancreatic islets make insulin and glucagon

Ovaries

Produce estrogen and progesterone

Testes

androgens (testosterone)

Cortisol

Maintain blood pressure, immune function, and the body’s anti-inflammatory processes

Adrenaline (Epinephrine)

Triggers fight or flight

Insulin

released when blood sugar is too high by increasing body’s ability to transport sugar across the cell membrane; negative feedback; beta cells

Glucagon

Released when blood glucose levels are too low by making the liver release glycogen which gets converted to glucose before entering the blood stream; alpha cell

Thyroxine

the main hormone secreted into the bloodstream by the thyroid gland. It plays vital roles in metabolism, heart and muscle function, brain development, and maintenance of bones; its active form is triiodothryronine (T3)

Estrogen

maintaining sexual and reproductive health; menstrual cycle

Testosterone

regulate sex drive (libido), bone mass, fat distribution, muscle mass and strength, and the production of red blood cells and sperm

Negative Feedback

occurs to reduce the change or output: the result of a reaction is reduced to bring the system back to a stable state

Positive Feedback

occurs to increase the change or output: the result of a reaction is amplified to make it occur more quickly; childbirth

Hyperthyroidism

high basal metabolic rate, heat intolerance, rapid heart beat, weight loss, and nervous behavior; caused by tumor, Grave’s Disease

Hypothyroidism

Cretinism (dwarfism) in kids and Myxedema in adults

Endocrinologist

evaluating diabetes, bone loss, and a range of hormonal issues, including hormones from the pituitary, adrenal, and thyroid glands as well as reproductive organs