Endocrine A&P

Hypothalamus

located Deep in the brain, just superior to the pituitary gland; major regulator in homeostasis and hormone release

Pituitary

anterior & posterior sides; major endocrine gland; pea-sized body attached to the base of the brain; important in controlling growth and development and the function of other endocrine glands.

thyroid

a butterfly-shaped endocrine organ located in the front of the neck; produces thyroid hormones (T3 & T4) which regulate metabolism, growth, and development

parathyroid

4 tiny glands located in the neck, behind the thyroid gland; crucial in maintaining calcium balance in the body

adrenal gland

suprarenal gland; composed of adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla; two small, pyramid-shaped endocrine glands located onto of the kidneys; crucial role in producing hormones that regulate various bodily functions; most notable hormone is cortisol

adrenal cortex

the outer region of the adrenal gland; responsible for producing steroid hormones that regulate metabolism, immune function, blood pressure, and stress responses; divided into three layers

adrenal medulla

inner part of the adrenal gland; responsible for producing and releasing epinephrine and norepinephrine (fight or flight part of stress response)

Pancreas

composed of pancreatic islets; located behind the stomach that produces enzymes to break down food for digestion and creating hormones (i.e. insulin) to regulate blood sugar levels

pancreatic islets

islets of langerhans; small clusters of endocrine cells within the pancreas that play a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels; composed of beta, alpha and delta cells (mostly beta)

ovaries

two almond-shaped glands located on either side of the uterus in the female reproductive system; produces and releases eggs along with the secretion of estrogen progesterone and androgens

testes

part of the male reproductive system that make sperm and hormones, located outside the body, generally under the penis; produces primarily testosterone

pineal gland

a tiny endocrine gland in the brain that secretes melatonin to regulate the body's circadian rhythm, controlling sleep and wakefulness

negative feedback loop

a regulatory process where the output of a system reduces or reverses the original stimulus, bringing the system back to a set point; required for a homeostatic loop

positive feedback loop

a process where a system’s output reinforces the initial stimulus, leading to an amplification of the change and movement away from a stable state

virtual rat lab

LT lab where rats were fed/injected with hormones which must be determined by the effects of organ size after autopsy ; explores endocrine pathways

thyroid stimulating hormone

a glycoprotein produced in the anterior pituitary; primary stimulus for thyroid hormone production in the thyroid gland

thyroid releasing hormone

a hormone produced by the hypothalamus in the brain; regulates the production and release of thyroid hormones from the thyroid gland; stimulates pituitary to release TSH

thyroid hormone

a group of hormones (t3 & t4) produced by the thyroid gland that play a crucial role in regulating metabolism, growth, and development

adrenocorticotropic hormone

a peptide hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland; stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol

cortisol

a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands; crucial in the body’s stress response

luteinizing hormone

a reproductive hormone that plays a crucial role in the menstrual cycle and male reproductive health (triggers ovulation and the production of testosterone)

testosterone

a hormone primarily produced in the male testes; plays a crucial role in the development and maintenance of male sexual characteristics and other bodily functions

anterior pituitary

front lobe of the pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain in the hypothalamus that produces GH, TSH, ACTH, FSH, LH and prolactin; activity is controlled by the releasing and inhibiting hormones from the hypothalamus; purely endocrine gland

posterior pituitary 

the back lobe of the pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain from the hypothalamus; stores and releases oxytocin and vasopressin (ADH); composed of neural tissue