Endocrine System and Psychology

Glands

Sends out messages in the endocrine system

Hormones

sent out by glands; diffuse through whole body

Water-soluble hormones

dock with protein on the surface of the cell; epinephrine (adrenaline)

Lipid-soluble

moves through the cell membrane and can move directly into the cell nucleus (testosterone)

Pineal gland

(located in the brain)- secretes melatonin; allows brain to determine time of day and seasons; establishes circadian rhythm

Anterior pituitary gland

(located in the brain)- secretes growth hormone to increase cell size, secrete oxytocin

Posterior pituitary gland

(brain)- secretes antidiuretic hormone, which holds onto fluids inside of our body

Thyroid

(neck)- secretes T3 and T4, regulates metabolism, secretes calcitonin, which lowers blood calcium

Parathyroid

(neck)- secretes parathyroid hormone, raises blood calcium if levels if too low

Pancreas

(abdomen and behind stomach)- secretes insulin and glucagon, insulin to lower blood glucose, glucagon to raise blood glucose

Adrenal cortex

(located at the top of each kidney)- secretes glucocorticoids(anti-inflammatories)

Adrenal medulla

(top of each kidney)- secretes epinephrine (adrenaline) to trigger fight or flight response

Ovaries

(pelvic cavity on either side of the uterus)- secretes estrogen, responsible for secondary sex characteristics

Testes

(suspended in the scrotum)- secretes testosterone, responsible for secondary sex characteristics in males

Thymus

(upper chest)- secretes several key peptide hormones, matures and trains special white blood cells called T-cells to help immune system fight infections and diseases

Hypothalamus

(brain)- secretes neurohormones, tells pituitary gland when to release or stop hormones, which then controls thyroid and adrenal glands; maintains homeostatic body functions like temperature, hunger, thirst, and sleep cycles

Placenta

releases human chorionic gonadotropin- hormone picked up by pregnancy tests; only present in pregnant women; secretes progesterone and estrogen

Grief stage 1: Denial

person tries to shut out reality and often creates false reality

Grief Stage 2: Anger

patients become difficult to care for because of misplaced feeling of anger; may experience verbal or physical outbursts; blame healthcare workers or higher powers; irritable inpatients, generally pessimistic and feel like they’re losing control