Understanding the Endocrine System: Key Glands and Functions

1. By Tamara Miller ENDOCRINE system

2. It consists of a group of ductless(without tubes) glands that secrete substances directly into the bloodstream. These substances are called hormones. The Endocrine consists of the pituitary gland, thyroid plan, parathyroid gland, adrenal gland, pancreas, ovaries, thymus, pineal body, and placenta. The Endocrine

3. Hormones are a chemical substance produced and secreted by the endocrine glands called “chemical massagers”. They are transported through out the body by bloodstream and perform many functions including: Stimulates endocrine glands. Regulates growth and development. Regulates metabolism. Maintain fluid and chemical balance. Control various sex processes. Hormones

4. Is also called “master gland” because it produces many hormones that affect the other glands. It is located at the base of the brain in the sellaturcica. Pituitary gland

5. Are synthesis hormones that regulate the body’s metabolism and control the level of calcium in the blood. It is located in front of the upper part of the trachea(windpipe) in the neck. Thyroid gland

6. Are four glands located behind and attached to the thyroid gland.Their hormones parathormone, regulate the amount of calcium in the blood. Although most body calcium is in the bones it also circulates in the blood Parathyroid gland

7. Are frequently called superarenal glands because one is located above each kidney.Each Gland has two parts the cortex and the medulla. It release many steroids hormones, each part gives off hormones which is classified in three groups mineralocortoids, glucocrticoids, and gonadorticoids. The hormones the hormones they produce are aldosterone, cristol, goradocorticoid which stimulates sex hormones. adrenal gland

8. A fish shaped organ located behind the stomach it is both an exocrine gland and endocrine the exocrine part it secretes pancreatic juices. It produces the insulin hormones which is needed to absorb sugar from blood. It regulate the body’s metabolism and control the level of calcium in the blood. It produces several hormones including including insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin. pancreas

9. Ovaries are the gonads or sex glands of female. They are located pelvic activity one each side of the uterus. They secrete hormones that regulate menstratin and sexual charateristics. Ovaries secrete both estrogen and progesterone. ovaries

10. Is located in the upper of the chest cavity and the sternum. It contains lymphoid tissue. The thymus is active in early life, activity calls in the immune system but atsrophies (waste away) during puberty. The thymus is composes two identical lobes. The hormones produced by these lobes are are TF - thymic factor, Thymosin, THF - thymichumoral factor, Thymopoietin. thymus

11. Is a small structure attended to the roof of the third ventricle in the brain. Also known as pineal gland, Knowledge regarding the physiology of thyroid gland is limited. Three main hormones melatonin-regulates by prohibiting gonado tropic(sex hormones), Adrenoglomerulotropin- stimulate adrenal gland cortex to secrete aldostorne, Serotonin- may prevent vasoconstriction of blood vessel in the brain. pineal body

12. A temporary endocrine gland produced during pregnancy. It acts as a link between the mother and the infant, provide nutrition for the developing infant and promotes lactation after birth or producing milk. Three hormones secrete by this gland Progestins:Progestins are molecules that bind to the progesterone receptor Estrogens: The placenta produces several distinct estrogens. In women, the major estrogen produced by the placenta is estriol, and the equine placenta synthesizes a unique group of estrogens not seen in other animals. somatomammotropin (also known as placental lactogen), which acts to increase the amount of glucose and lipids in the maternal blood placenta