Bee Gurram - Chapter 8: Endocrinology

Pituitary gland

Produces and releases hormones that control vital bodily functions like growth, metabolism, reproduction, blood pressure, and stress response by regulating other endocrine glands (thyroid, adrenals, gonads) and directly affecting organs, managing everything from water balance to childbirth and lactation.

Thyroid gland

Produces hormones to regulate your body's metabolism, energy use, heart rate, temperature, and digestion.

Parathyroid gland

Produce parathyroid hormone (PTH) to regulate calcium and phosphorus balance in the blood, bones, and kidneys

Adrenal glands

Small, triangular endocrine glands located on top of each kidney, crucial for producing hormones that regulate metabolism, blood pressure, stress response, and immune function

Pancreas

A large gland behind the stomach which secretes digestive enzymes into the duodenum. Embedded in the pancreas are the islets of Langerhans, which secrete into the blood the hormones insulin and glucagon.

Testes

Male reproductive glands

Ovaries

Female reproductive glands

Thyroxin

Increases metabolic reactions associated with Energy production, Growth & Development

Calcitonin

Lowers blood calcium & Phosphate levels

Synthroid

Artificial thyroid hormone medication

Hypothyroidism

Low thyroxin

Cretinism

Severe developmental impairment from insufficient thyroid hormone at birth, causing stunted growth, intellectual disability, and neurological problems like deaf-mutism

Hyperthyroidism

Too much/high thyroxin

Parathyroid hormone

Increased blood calcium levels and lowers blood phosphorus levels

Hypocalcemia

Low calcium levels in the blood

Adrenal medulla

Inner core of the adrenal gland

Adrenal cortex

The outer, largest part of the adrenal gland

Epinephrine (Adrenaline)

Neurotransmitter - Increases Metabolic rate, heart rate, breathing & blood flow to muscles during exercise

Aldosterone

Steroid hormone that plays a crucial role in regulating the body's salt and water balance

Cortisol

Stress hormone - Raises blood sugar levels

Addison’s Disease

Low cortisol

Cushing’s Disease

Too much cortisol

Insulin

Beta cell - Lowers blood sugar levels

Glucagon

Alpha cell - Raises blood sugar levels

Diabetes Mellitus

Chronic condition where the body has trouble controlling blood sugar (glucose) levels

Glycogenesis

Glucose into glycogen

Glycogenolysis

Breaking glycogen down into Glucose

Testosterone

Masculinizing hormone

Estrogen

Feminizing hormone

Progesterone

Increases vascularization of Uterus

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin

(HCG) is the "pregnancy hormone" produced by the placenta - Maintains vascularization of Uterus during Pregnancy

Placenta

Temporary organ during pregnancy

Gestation

Pregnancy