Endocrine System Overview

What does the endocrine system do?

Regulates long-term processes (growth, development, reproduction)

What does the endocrine system consist of?

• Hormones (chemical messengers to relay information and instructions between cells)

• Glands (release hormones)

What are the organs of the endocrine system?

• Hypothalamus (production of ACH, oxytocin, and regulatory hormones, provides a link between CNS and PNS)

• Pituitary glands (located close to the hypothalamus, anterior lobe: ACTH, TSH, GH, PRL, FSH, LH, MSH, posterior lobe: release of oxytocin and ADH)

• Pineal gland (melatonin)

• Parathyroid gland (located on posterior surface of thyroid gland, parathyroid hormone (PTH))

• Thyroid gland (thyroxine, triiodothyronine, calcitonin)

• Adrenal glands (adrenal medulla: epinephrine, norepinephrine, adrenal cortex: cortisol, corticosterone, aldosterone, androgens)

• Pancreatic islets (control blood sugar levels, insulin and glucagon)

What are the organs in the endocrine system (1)?

What are the organs in the endocrine system (2)?

What are the methods of intercellular communication?