ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

by

Beatriz Bellini

FUNCTION

metabolic rate

water and mineral balance

immune system reactions

sexual functioning

Endocrine glands secrete hormones that regulate many body activities such as:

ORGANS

ADRENAL GLANDS

OVARIES

TESTES

PANCREAS (islets of Langerhans)

PARATHYROID GLANDS

THYROID GLAND

PINEAL GLAND

PITUITARY GLAND

THYMUS GLAND

ADRENAL GLANDS

Regulates carbohydrate , water and electrolyte levels.

Responsible for reproduction and secondary sexual characteristics.

Sex hormones: Androgen, Estrogen and Progesterone

OVARIES

Regulate female reproductive system.

ESTROGEN – Stimulates

development of secondary

sex characteristics in females;

regulates menstrual cycle.

PROGESTERONE – Prepares

woman for conditions of

pregnancy.

TESTES

Regulate male reproductive

system.

TESTOSTERONE – Promotes

sperm production and

development of secondary

sex characteristics in

males.

PANCREAS (ISLETS OF LANGERHANS)

Regulate blood sugar levels.

GLUCAGON – Stimulates liver to release glucose into the blood.

INSULIN – Regulates and promotes entry of glucose into cells.

PARATHYROID & THYROID GLANDS

The parathyroid glands

regulate the amount of calcium

in the blood. Located on the

posterior side of the thyroid

gland. They secrete

parathyroid hormone.

The thyroid glands regulate

metabolic rate. (T3, T4)

Located on the dorsal surface

of the thyroid gland.

Stimulates deposition of

calcium into bone.

PINEAL GLAND Regulates circadian rhythm.

The pineal gland is a part of the thalamus

region of the brain. It secretes melatonin.

Melatonin is a hormone produced in the

brain by the pineal gland, from the amino

acid tryptophan. The synthesis and release

of melatonin are stimulated by darkness

and suppressed by light, suggesting the

involvement of melatonin in circadian

rhythm and regulation of diverse body

functions. Levels of melatonin in the blood

are highest prior to bedtime.

This is our 24 hour clock that governs our periods of wakefulness and sleepiness.

PITUITARY GLAND

Regulates function of adrenal cortex

Stimulates growth of eggs in female

and sperm in males

Stimulate growth of the body

Regulates function of male and

female gonads and pays a role in

releasing ova in females

Stimulates pigments in the skin

Stimulates milk production

Regulates function of thyroid gland

THYMUS GLAND

Promotes development of cells in immune system.

Located in the mediastinal cavity

anterior and superior to the heart.

The thymus is present at birth and

grows to its largest size during

puberty. At puberty it begins to

shrink and eventually is preplaced

with connective and adipose tissue.

ENDOCRINE DISORDERS

Adrenal Disorders

Diabetes

Lipid Disorders

Osteoporosis (Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to

break)

Pituitary Disorders

Parathyroid and Calcium Disorders (or par- pref. Beside; near; alongside: parathyroid)

PCOS, infertility (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)

Thyroid Disorders

An endocrinologist is a specially trained doctor who diagnoses and

treats diseases that affect your glands and hormone levels.

Example of a few endocrine system disorders: