Overview of the Endocrine System and Its Functions, Overview of the Endocrine System and Its Glands, Endocrine System Diseases and Conditions, Endocrine System Tests and Treatments Overview, Overview of Hormone Replacement Therapies and Abbreviations

Exocrine glands

Glands that secrete fluids and hormones via ducts that carry these products to their destinations.

Endocrine glands

Glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream without using ducts.

Pancreas

An organ considered both an endocrine and an exocrine gland.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)

Regulates the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the pituitary gland.

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)

Regulates the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) from the pituitary gland.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

Stimulates the production of cortisol by the adrenal gland of the kidney, involved in regulating blood glucose levels and metabolism.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Helps regulate reproductive processes, including puberty.

Growth hormone (GH)

Stimulates body growth and development.

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

In females, stimulates ovulation and controls menstruation; in males, stimulates the production of testosterone.

Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)

Stimulates the pigment melanin to help darken skin.

Prolactin

Stimulates milk production and breast development in females.

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

Stimulates the kidneys to retain water and constricts blood vessels.

Oxytocin

A hormone involved in childbirth and lactation.

Melatonin

A hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

Stimulates the thyroid gland and helps regulate thyroid function.

Cortisol

A hormone produced by the adrenal gland involved in regulating blood glucose levels and metabolism.

Stimulates uterine contractions

Stimulates uterine contractions during childbirth and the release of milk during breastfeeding in females.

Regulates circadian rhythm

Regulates circadian (ser-KAY-dee-un) rhythm, or the 24-hour sleep-and-waking cycle of the body.

Stimulates calcium deposit

Stimulates the deposit of calcium into bone and lowers blood calcium levels.

Thyroid gland

An organ that produces hormones regulating metabolism and growth.

Thymus

An organ involved in the immune system, particularly in the development of T cells.

Thyroxine (T)

A hormone that controls metabolism and body temperature.

Parathyroid glands

Glands that regulate calcium levels in the blood.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH)

A hormone that increases blood calcium levels and stimulates the breakdown of bone.

Adrenal glands (adrenal cortex)

Glands that produce hormones such as cortisol and aldosterone.

Adrenal glands (adrenal medulla)

Glands that produce epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Triiodothyronine (T₂)

A hormone that controls metabolism and is more powerful than thyroxine (T).

Thymosin

A hormone that promotes the development of T cells by the immune system.

Glucocorticoids

A group of hormones involved in metabolizing carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

Cortisol

A glucocorticoid that regulates blood glucose levels and helps metabolize carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

Cortisone

A glucocorticoid that has anti-inflammatory effects.

Mineralocorticoids

A group of hormones involved in balancing fluid and electrolyte levels in the body.

Aldosterone

A mineralocorticoid that regulates blood pressure, electrolyte concentrations, and fluid volume in the body.

Deoxycorticosterone

A hormone that serves as a building block for aldosterone.

Sex hormones

Hormones responsible for reproductive and secondary sex characteristics in males and females.

Androgens

A group of hormones that promote male characteristics.

Estrogens

A group of hormones that promote female characteristics.

Progestin

A hormone involved in the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.

Epinephrine (adrenaline)

A hormone that intensifies stress and triggers the body's fight-or-flight response.

Norepinephrine

A hormone that prepares the body for the stress response and acts as a vasoconstrictor.

Homeostasis

A stable state, or equilibrium, among the various organs and systems of the body.

Hypothalamus

A brain region that controls the endocrine system and maintains homeostasis.

Growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)

A hormone that stimulates the release of growth hormone (GH) from the pituitary gland.

Growth-hormone-inhibiting hormone (GHIH)

A hormone that inhibits the release of GH from the pituitary gland.

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)

A hormone that regulates the release of adrenocorticotropin from the pituitary gland.

adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

Influences the production of cortisol in the kidneys.

thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

Helps regulate the thyroid.

follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Secreted by the anterior pituitary.

growth hormone (GH)

Secreted by the anterior pituitary.

luteinizing hormone (LH)

Secreted by the anterior pituitary.

melanocyte-stimulating hormones (MSH)

Secreted by the anterior pituitary.

prolactin

Secreted by the anterior pituitary.

antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

Controls water reabsorption in the kidneys.

oxytocin

Stimulates uterine contractions during childbirth and milk production when breastfeeding.

pineal gland

Releases melatonin in response to decreased light levels.

melatonin

Critical to the body's circadian rhythm, causing a feeling of sleepiness.

thyroid gland

Regulates metabolism by releasing triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4).

triiodothyronine (T3)

One of the hormones released by the thyroid gland to regulate metabolism.

thyroxine (T4)

One of the hormones released by the thyroid gland to regulate metabolism.

pancreas

An organ that produces hormones like insulin and glucagon.

ovaries

Glands that produce estrogen and progesterone.

testes

Glands that produce testosterone.

glucagon

Stimulates the liver to release stored glucose into the blood, increasing blood glucose levels.

insulin

Hormone produced by the pancreas that lowers blood glucose levels.

estrogen

Hormone produced by the ovaries.

progesterone

Hormone produced by the ovaries.

testosterone

Hormone produced by the testes.

hypothalamus

Regulates heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and controls the endocrine glands.

growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)

Stimulates the release of growth hormone (GH) from the pituitary gland.

growth-hormone-inhibiting hormone (GHIH)

Decreases the production of GH in the pituitary gland.

Glucose absorption regulation

Regulates the absorption of glucose into blood cells, decreasing blood glucose levels.

Female secondary sex characteristics

Stimulates the development of female secondary sex characteristics and regulates the female reproductive system.

Pregnancy preparation

Prepares the female body for pregnancy and helps maintain pregnancy.

Male secondary sex characteristics

Stimulates the development of male secondary sex characteristics and promotes sperm production.

Growth hormone regulation

Regulates the amount of GH produced in and used by the body.

Tropins

The hypothalamus produces tropins, also called tropic hormones, which help control the release of other hormones in the body.

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)

Released by the hypothalamus to increase production of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in the pituitary gland.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

Controls adrenal gland function, influencing the production of cortisol.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)

Regulates the release of reproductive hormones in both males and females.

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)

Controls the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which regulates thyroid function.

Pituitary gland

Known as the master gland, it has two lobes: the anterior pituitary and the posterior pituitary.

Anterior pituitary

Under the direction of hormones produced by the hypothalamus, it releases two tropins.

Calcitonin

Works with parathyroid hormone (PTH) to regulate the amounts of calcium in the blood.

Calcium

An electrolyte that plays a role in heart and brain function and is a major requirement for bone health.

Parathyroid glands

Secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH) to help balance the levels of calcium in the blood.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH)

Reverses the effect of calcitonin and increases blood calcium levels.

Thymus

A gland that produces T cells, which play a direct role in immunity.

Thymosin

A hormone produced by the thymus that assists with the development and maturation of immune cells.

Adrenal glands

Two glands located on top of each kidney, involved in the endocrine system.

Adrenal glands

Responsible for the body's adrenaline rush, or the 'superhuman feeling' you get when you are in a fight-or-flight situation.

Adrenal cortex

The outer layer of the adrenal gland that secretes glucocorticoids, which are hormones involved in metabolizing carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

Glucocorticoids

Hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex that include cortisol and cortisone, which regulate blood glucose levels.

Cortisol

A glucocorticoid hormone that helps regulate blood glucose levels.

Cortisone

A glucocorticoid hormone that helps regulate blood glucose levels.

Mineralocorticoids

Hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex that help maintain electrolyte balance and regulate blood pressure.

Aldosterone

A main mineralocorticoid that helps maintain electrolyte balance and regulate blood pressure.

Deoxycorticosterone

A main mineralocorticoid involved in maintaining electrolyte balance.

Electrolytes

Electrically charged particles, or ions, that help maintain homeostasis in the body.

Sex hormones

Hormones produced by the adrenal cortex and ovaries that play a part in signaling the body to develop reproductive and secondary sex characteristics.

Adrenal medulla

The inner layer of the adrenal gland that secretes catecholamines during times of stress.