MBLEx Endocrine System

Overview and Functions of the Endocrine System

  • The endocrine system produces hormones to regulate key physiological functions.

  • Functions regulated by the endocrine system include:

    • Metabolism

    • Growth

    • Development

Effects of Massage on the Endocrine System

  • Increases general circulation throughout the body.

  • Helps in the transport of hormones through the circulatory system.

  • Lowers cortisol, which acts as the body's primary stress hormone.

  • Reduces adrenaline, which calms the sympathetic nervous system.

Mnemonic for Locations of Endocrine Glands

  • Mnemonic sentence: "Hampsters prefer pizza to pickles and poop often"

  • Letter-to-gland and anatomical location mapping:

    • Hampsters: Hypothalamus (Brain)

    • Prefer: Pituitary Gland (Brain)

    • Pizza: Pineal Gland (Brain)

    • To: Thyroid Gland (Neck)

    • Pickles: Parathyroid Gland (Neck)

    • And: Adrenal Glands (Kidneys)

    • Poop: Pancreatic Islets (Endocrine + Exocrine)

    • Often: Ovaries and Testes (Other Glands)

Brain Glands and Characteristics

  • Hypothalamus:

    • Located in the brain.

    • Controls the pituitary gland.

    • Regulates the autonomic nervous system by linking the endocrine system to the nervous system.

    • Produces dopamine and oxytocin.

  • Pituitary Gland:

    • Located in the brain.

    • Controls all other glands in the body.

    • Secretes:

    • Growth hormones

    • Prolactin

    • Follicle stimulating hormone

  • Pineal Gland:

    • Located in the brain.

    • Responsible for melatonin production.

Neck Glands and Calcium Regulation

  • Thyroid Gland:

    • Located in the neck.

    • Produces calcitonin to decrease levels of calcium in the blood.

  • Parathyroid Gland:

    • Located in the neck.

    • Increases levels of calcium in the blood.

Pancreatic Islets and Blood Sugar Regulation

  • Pancreatic Islets:

    • Function as both endocrine and exocrine glands.

    • Regulate blood sugar levels via two primary hormones:

    • Glucagon: Increases blood sugar levels (stored in the liver).

    • Insulin: Decreases blood sugar levels (gets absorbed by the liver and skeletal muscles).

Adrenal Glands

  • Commonly referred to as "Kidney Hats" due to their anatomical position over the kidneys.

  • Secretions and Hormones:

    • Secrete epinephrine and norepinephrine (adrenaline and noradrenaline).

    • Secretes Cortisol:

    • Identified as the primary stress hormone.

    • Secreted when the body enters a sympathetic nervous response (fight or flight).

Reproductive Glands

  • Ovaries:

    • Create estrogen and progesterone.

  • Testes:

    • Secrete testosterone.