Endocrine System: Anatomy and Physiology

What does ACTH stand for?

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone

What is the function of the adrenocorticotropic hormone?

It controls the secretion of the adrenal cortex hormones. For example, it signals your adrenal glands to produce cortisol (hydrocortisone), which helps your body handle stress.

Where is the pituitary gland located?

At the base of the brain

What two types of glands are found in the body?

Exocrine and Endocrine Glands

What are exocrine glands?

Small tube like ducts that secrete into cavities and produce mucus, sweat, etc.

What stimulates hair growth?

Hormones produced by the endocrine system

What kind of doctor studies the endocrine system and hormones?

Endocrinologist

Steroids are produced by the

Adrenal Cortex (Mineralocorticoids and Glucocorticoids)

Melatonin is secreted by the

Pineal Gland

The Adrenal Medulla secretes

Epinephrine and Norepinephrine.

FSH and LH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone & Luteinizing Hormone) is released by the

Anterior Pituitary Gland

LH (Luteinizing Hormone) is a

Gonadotropic hormone

FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) is a

Gonadotropic hormone

MSH (melanin stimulating hormone) stimulates

Melanocytes.

ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic Hormone) produces

Sex hormones (stimulates adrenal cortex to secrete sex hormones)

What is the Anterior Pituitary or Adenhypophesis known as?

The Master Gland

What are the Islets of Langerhan?

Cluster of endocrine cells found in the pancreas which secrete insulin and glucagon.

Terminal hair has a special attachment called what?

Arrector Pili Muscle

What are the names for growth phase, transition phase, and resting/shedding phase in the hair cycle?

Anagen, Catagen, Telogen

Hair is a derivative of the what?

The Epidermis

Where do androgens (male hormones) derive from?

Adrenals and Gonads (ovaries and testes)

What is the name for a female disorder that is characterized by irregular menses/lack of menstruation?

PCOS

What disorder is characterized by hair loss?

Alopecia

What is the name for excess hair growth in women?

Hirsutism (androgen induced)

What is Cushing's Syndrome?

Increased cortisol causing rapid weight gain, reddish/purplish stretch marks, obesity localized in the face (moon face), stomach and buffalo hump, while extremities remain normal/thin.

Prior to treatment a client should be evaluated by a physician if she has what?

Irregular Menses

What medication is used to treat high blood pressure and as an anti-androgen or androgen suppressant?

Spironolactone

True or False: Androcur is banned in the USA

TRUE; Aldactone (Brand name Spironolactone) is available in the US

How many types of diabetes are there and what are they called?

Three Types: Type 1 (Juvenile Diabetes - Insulin dependent), Type 2 (Adult Diabetes - Non-insulin Dependent), Gestational Diabetes (Pregnancy)

What is and isn’t safe to do when treating a diabetes patient with electrolysis?

The face is safe, avoid lower extremities, especially knee down

What is the primary function of the endocrine system?

To serve as the body's communication and control network using hormones to send messages to different parts of your body. These messages help control important things like how you grow and develop, how your body uses energy (metabolism), how you feel, and even how you sleep.

What are hormones?

Chemicals that send messages to different parts of the body.

How do hormones help the body?

They help control growth and development, metabolism, feelings, and sleep.

What are endocrine glands?

Glands that secrete hormones (chemicals) directly into the blood. They are like wireless messengers; releasing hormones directly into your bloodstream, sending signals all over your body to control things like growth, mood, and energy levels. Most do not store their hormones, but secrete them directly into the blood as they are produced.

What are exocrine glands?

Glands that release substances through ducts to specific locations in the body. They are like faucets in your body releasing things like sweat, saliva, or digestive juices through tiny tubes (ducts) to the exact spot where they’re needed, like your skin or mouth.

What are tropic hormones?

Hormones that stimulate other endocrine glands to grow and secrete hormones. They’re released by one gland (ex. Pituitary) and act on another gland (ex. adrenal) to trigger the release of more hormones. Think of them as middlemen in your body’s communication system. Example: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH): Released by the anterior pituitary. Signals the adrenal glands to produce cortisol, which helps with stress and energy regulation.

Give an example of a tropic hormone and its function.

Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH - released by anterior pituitary) stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones.

What does ACTH stand for and what is its role?

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; it signals the adrenal glands to produce cortisol.

What does FSH do?

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone regulates reproductive systems and supports egg or sperm production.

Why are tropic hormones important?

They ensure that glands work together properly for body processes.

What is GH and its primary function?

Growth Hormone; it stimulates growth in all organs and affects metabolism.

What can result from a deficiency in growth hormone?

Dwarfism.

What is acromegaly?

Excess growth hormone after normal growth years, causing enlargement of features.

What are the two main hormones stored in the posterior pituitary (neurohypophysis)?

ADH (Antidiuretic Hormone) and Oxytocin (OT).

What does ADH (Anti-Diuretic Hormone) do?

AKA Vasopressin. Stimulates water retention by the kidneys. Controls the amount of water and salt in the body and amount of urine produced. Release by the posterior pituitary gland (neurohypophysis).

What condition results from hypersecretion (too much) of ADH?

Diabetes insipidus. (Large amounts of urine formed)

What is Oxytocin's role during childbirth?

It triggers uterine contractions. Secreted by posterior pituitary (neurohypophysis)

What does calcitonin (CT) do?

Lowers blood calcium concentration levels by inhibiting bone breakdown. Produced in Thyroid.

What is hyperthyroidism?

Oversecretion of the thyroid hormones, dramatically increases metabolic rate; leading to weight loss, irritability, increased appetite and often protrusion of eyeballs.

What does cortisol (Glucocorticoids - GCs) do?

Stress, Inflammation, Blood Sugar. Helps the body handle stress and controls blood sugar levels. Raises your blood glucose to give your body the fuel it needs to deal with stress and/or challenges.

What does aldosterone (AKA Mineralocorticoids) regulate?

Secreted by the adrenal cortex. Regulate electrolytes and fluid homeostasis and salt. Maintains blood pressure by keeping more water in your body, it helps keep your blood pressure steady and makes sure your organs get enough blood.

What is Cushing's syndrome?

Tumors of the adrenal cortex often result in the production of abnormally large amounts of glucocorticoids (cortisol). Its most noticeable features are moon face and the buffalo hump (Dowager or Camels Hump) on the upper back that develops because of redistribution of body fat. Weight gain in midsection that leads to reddish/purplish stretch marks, while legs and arms remain the same/thin. These individuals also have elevated blood sugar levels and frequent infections.

What does the adrenal medulla produce?

Adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine). Prolongs and intensifies the sympathetic nervous response during stress (fight or flight).

What triggers the fight or flight response?

Release of adrenaline and noradrenaline.

What is melatonin?

A sleep hormone produced by the pineal gland that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. Inhibits tropic hormones that affect the ovaries, and is thought to be involved in regulating the onset of puberty and the menstrual cycle in women; involved in the body’s internal clock

What role do pancreatic islets (islets of Langerhans) play in the body?

Located in the pancreas. They help control blood sugar levels using insulin and glucagon. Insulin - decrease blood glucose (sugar) concentration. Glucagon - increases blood glucose (sugar) concentration.

What is the function of insulin?

Lowers blood sugar (glucose) by allowing cells to take in glucose.

What does glucagon do?

Raises blood sugar (glucose) by signaling the liver to release stored glucose.

What hormones do ovaries produce?

Estrogen and progesterone.

What is the role of testosterone?

Responsible for male traits and reproductive function.

What is the anterior pituitary gland also known as?

The Master Gland; Adenohypophysis.

What major functions does the anterior pituitary gland (adenohypophysis) control?

Stress, growth, reproduction, and metabolism.

What does TSH specifically tell the thyroid to do?

To increase secretion of thyroid hormones.

What are the two types of glands in the endocrine system?

Endocrine and exocrine glands.

Why is the thyroid gland important?

It controls metabolism and energy use in the body.

What term is used to categorize enlarged thyroid?

Simple Goiter

Why is cortisol referred to as the body's stress helper?

It helps to manage stress by providing energy and reducing inflammation. Produced in the adrenal cortex. AKA: Glucocorticoid (GCs).

What does FSH stimulate in females?

Ovaries to produce sex hormones and support egg production.

What are the effects of Growth Hormone on metabolism?

Stimulates growth and increases blood glucose (sugar) concentration. It promotes protein synthesis, fat breakdown, and enhances the utilization of fats for energy.

What is the significance of the posterior pituitary gland?

It’s like a storage warehouse in your body. It doesn’t create the hormones itself. Instead, the hypothalamus (a part of your brain) makes the hormones and sends them to the posterior pituitary for safekeeping. When your body needs these hormones, the posterior pituitary releases them into your bloodstream. Specifically it controls the amount of water and salt in the body and amount of urine produced (Antidiuretic Hormone - ADH / Vasopressin); stimulates contraction in pregnancy (Oxytocin - OT).

What does Oxytocin promote aside from childbirth?

Emotional bonding and trust between individuals.

How does calcitonin help maintain bone health?

By preventing excess calcium from entering the bloodstream.

What is the role of glucocorticoids (cortisol) in the body?

To manage stress responses and control inflammation.

What happens during Addison's Disease?

A deficiency or hyposecretion of adrenal cortex hormones. Reduces cortical hormone levels result in muscle weakness, reduced blood sugar, nausea, loss of appetite and weight loss.

What triggers the release of adrenaline (Epinephrine - EP)?

Adrenal Medulla. Stressful situations as part of the fight or flight response.

Where is the pineal gland located?

In the middle of the brain, near the roof of the third ventricle.

What is hypersecretion in endocrine glands?

Producing too much of a hormone.

What hormone is primarily emitted by the adrenal medulla during stress?

Epinephrine (adrenaline).

What is hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland fails to produce enough thyroid hormones, resulting in a slower metabolism. Symptoms may include fatigue, weight gain, sensitivity to cold, hair loss, dry skin, and depression.

Difference between melatonin, melanin, and melamine

Melatonin → Sleep Hormone produced by pineal gland

Melanin → pigment in the skin

Melamine → Type of plastic used to make plates and magic eraser sponges

What is corpus luteum?

Cells in the ovary responsible for progesterone during early pregnancy

What hormones does the anterior pituitary (adenohypophysis/master gland) produce?

1. Stress, growth, reproduction;

   1. TSH* = Thyroid Stimulating Hormone; stimulates growth of thyroid gland and secretion of thyroid hormones

   2. ACTH* = Adrenocorticotropic; stimulates growth of adrenal cortex and secretion of glucocorticoids and sex hormones

   3. FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone), LH (Luteinizing Hormone)

   4. GH = Growth Hormone; stimulates growth and increases blood glucose (sugar) concentration

   5. PRL (Prolactic)

What hormones does the posterior pituitary (neurohypophysis) produce?

Controls the amount of water and salt in the body and amount of urine produced (Antidiuretic Hormone - ADH / Vasopressin); stimulates contraction in pregnancy (Oxytocin - OT)

What hormones does the thyroid gland produce?

1. T4 and T3 (increase body’s metabolic rate; how your body uses energy)

2. Calcitonin (CT): inhibits breakdown of bone; causes decrease in blood calcium concentration

3. Butterfly gland located in the neck

WHere are the adrenal glands located?

On top of the kidneys

What hormones does the adrenal cortex secrete?

1. Adrenal Cortex - Homeostasis

   1. Mineralocorticoids (MCs) - Regulate electrolytes and fluid homeostasis

   2. Glucocorticoids (GCs) - Increase blood glucose (sugar) concentration; i.e. cortisol

   3. Sex Hormones (Androgens)

What hormones does the adrenal medulla secrete?

1. Adrenal Medulla - Prolong and intensify the sympathetic nervous response during stress (fight or flight

   1. Epinephrine (Epi) - Adrenaline

   2. Norepinephrine (NR) - Noradrenaline

What are the gonads?

Ovaries and Testes

Where is the pineal gland located?

Middle of the brain (third eye)

What hormone does the pineal gland secrete?

Melatonin: Inhibits tropic hormones that affect the ovaries, and is thought to be involved in regulating the onset of puberty and the menstrual cycle in women; involved in the body’s internal clock

Where are the pancreatic islets (islets of Langerhans) located?

The Pancreas

What do the pancreatic islets do and what do they secrete?

Small clusters of cells in the pancreas that help control your blood sugar levels. Insulin - decrease blood glucose (sugar) concentration; Glucagon - increases blood glucose (sugar) concentration

Where is the pituitary gland located?

Lies buried deep in the cranial cavity (at the base of the brain), in the small depression of the sphenoid bone that is shaped like a saddle and called the sella turcica.

What can an excess of GH (Growth Hormone) lead to?

Excess or hypersecretion GH can lead to acromegaly (after normal growth years) or gigantism (during early years)

Acanthosisnigricans

Exclusively related to diabetes; a skin condition characterized by dark, velvety patches in body folds and creases, often associated with insulin resistance.

Idiopathic Diagnosis

No causative factor or familial (hereditary)

True or False: Prednisone can stimulate excess hair growth

True

Diabetes Mellitus refers to

All types of diabetes