Hormones and Their Functions

These flashcards cover key hormones, their secretory glands, target organs, and effects at those target sites.

Growth Hormone (GH)

Secreted by anterior pituitary; targets bone, muscle, and fat to promote growth of tissues.

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

Secreted by anterior pituitary; targets thyroid to stimulate hormone secretion.

Prolactin (PRL)

Secreted by anterior pituitary; targets mammary glands to produce milk.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

Secreted by anterior pituitary; targets adrenal cortex to stimulate hormone secretion.

Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Secreted by anterior pituitary; in males, targets interstitial cells in testes for testosterone secretion; in females, targets mature ovarian follicle for ovulation.

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

Secreted by anterior pituitary; in males, targets seminiferous tubules for sperm production; in females, targets ovarian follicle for follicle and ovum maturation.

Triiodothyronine (T3) & Thyroxine (T4)

Secreted by thyroid; targets all cells to regulate metabolism.

Aldosterone

Secreted by adrenal cortex; targets kidney tubules for reabsorption of water and Na, affecting blood pressure.

Cortisol

Secreted by adrenal cortex; targets all cells to regulate glucose metabolism.

Estrogen

Secreted by ovarian follicle; targets secondary sex organs for development and maintenance.

Progesterone

Secreted by corpus luteum; targets uterine endometrium for preparation for implantation (thickening, glandular, vascular changes).

Testosterone

Secreted by seminiferous tubules; targets secondary sex organs for development and maintenance.

Anti-Diuretic Hormone (ADH)

Secreted by posterior pituitary; targets distal convoluted tubule for water reabsorption, affecting blood pressure.

Oxytocin (OT)

Secreted by posterior pituitary; targets uterine smooth muscle for contraction during labor.

Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)

Secreted by parathyroids; targets kidney tubules and osteoclasts for reabsorption of Ca++ into blood, increasing blood Ca++.

Calcitonin

Secreted by thyroid; targets kidney tubules and osteoblasts to promote secretion of Ca++ into urine, aiding bone formation and decreasing blood Ca++.

Insulin

Secreted by β-cells of pancreatic islets; targets all cells, liver, and skeletal muscle to facilitate glucose uptake and glycogen formation, lowering blood glucose.

Glucagon

Secreted by α-cells of pancreatic islets; targets liver and skeletal muscle to promote breakdown of glycogen, increasing blood glucose.

Epinephrine

Secreted by adrenal medulla; targets cardiac muscle and smooth muscles of arterioles and bronchioles to increase heart rate and blood pressure.

Norepinephrine

Secreted by adrenal medulla; targets cardiac muscle and smooth muscles of arterioles and bronchioles to increase heart rate and blood pressure.

Melatonin

Secreted by pineal gland; targets limbic system to influence emotions and behavior.

Thymosin

Secreted by thymus; targets T-lymphocytes for maturation.