Download File

Endocrine System
What Is the
Endocrine System?
The endocrine system is a system in your body that is in
charge of body processes that happen slowly. It is
instrumental in:
• regulating mood
• growth and development
• tissue function
• metabolism
• sexual function and reproductive processes
Hormones and glands are the foundation of the
endocrine system.
Hormones:
Hormones are the body’s chemical
messengers.
They transfer information and instructions
from one set of cells to another.
Many different hormones move through the
bloodstream, but each type of hormone is
designed to affect only certain cells.
Glands:
Glands are a group of cells that produce and
secrete (give off) chemicals.
A gland selects and removes materials from
the blood, processes them, and secretes the
finished chemical product for use somewhere
in the body.
Endocrine Glands:
Endocrine glands release more than 20 major
hormones directly into the bloodstream.
The hormones are then transported to cells in
all parts of the body.
Pituitary Gland
“The Master Gland”
The pituitary gland is a pea shaped gland that is found
at the base of the brain.
Function:
It is considered the most important part of the
endocrine system and is called the “Master Gland"
because it controls the activities of all other glands.
(However, the pituitary gland is in turn controlled by
the hypothalamus)
The pituitary is divided into
three sections sometimes
referred to as lobes:
• anterior
• intermediate
• posterior lobe
Pituitary
The anterior lobe regulates the activity of the
thyroid, adrenals, and reproductive glands.
The anterior lobe produces hormones such as:
• somatropic, or growth hormone
• thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
• adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
The intermediate, or middle lobe, is the smallest
lobe.
The hormone it produces and secretes is:
• melanocyte-stimulating hormone
(MSH).
__________________________________________________________________________
The posterior lobe stores and releases hormones
produced by the hypothalamus.
The hormones it stores and releases are:
• antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
• oxytocin
Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus is a collection of specialized cells
that is located in the lower central part of the brain and
connects the endocrine and nervous systems
Function
The hypothalamus controls the pituitary gland and
stimulates it to secrete hormones. It also has a hand in
regulating body temperature, hunger, thirst, fatigue,
and anger.
Hypothalamus
Pineal
The pineal gland, is located in the middle of
the brain and takes on a pine cone shape.
Function
It secretes melatonin, a hormone that helps to
regulate when you sleep at night and when you
wake in the morning.
Pineal
Thyroid
The thyroid is located in the front part of the
lower neck and is shaped like a bow tie or
butterfly.
Function
The thyroid controls metabolism. It serves as the
body’s thermostat, deciding how much energy to
burn, and also how energetic you feel.
The thyroid produces two thyroid hormones,
thyroxine and triiodothyronine.
The production and release of thyroid
hormones is controlled by a thyroid-stimulating
hormone (TSH) which is secreted by the
pituitary gland.
Parathyroid
The parathyroid is made up of four tiny glands
attached to the thyroid.
Function
The four tiny glands function together. They
release parathyroid hormones which regulate the
level of calcium in the blood and decide how to
divvy it up between bones and blood.
Adrenal Glands
Two triangular glands, one on top of each kidney.
Function
The adrenal glands have two parts, each of
which produces a set of hormones and has a
different function.
Adrenal Cortex- the outer part, produces
hormones called corticosteroids that influence or
regulate:
• salt and water balance in the body
• the body's response to stress
• metabolism
• the immune system
• sexual development and function.
Adrenal Medulla- The inner part, the, produces
epinephrine also called adrenaline, that increases
blood pressure and heart rate when the body
experiences stress.
Pancreas
The pancreas plays a role in two different body
systems. In the endocrine system it secretes
hormones and in the digestive system it produces and
secretes digestive enzymes.
Function
The pancreas produces two important hormones,
insulin and glucagon. They work together to maintain
a steady level of glucose, or sugar, in the blood and
keep the body supplied with fuel to produce and
maintain stores of energy.
Maintaining Your Endocrine Health
• Eat balanced meals
• Use stress management techniques
• Get 8 ½ to 9 hours of sleep a night
• Engage in regular physical activity
• Have regular medical check-ups
Endocrine System Problems
Diseases and Disorders of
the Endocrine System
Type 1 Diabetes (previously known as juvenile diabetes)
When the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin.
Kids and teens with this condition need regular
injections of insulin to control their blood sugar
levels.
Type 2 Diabetes
The body can't respond to insulin normally. Kids
and teens with the condition tend to be overweight.
Some can control their blood sugar level with dietary
changes, exercise, and oral medications, but many
will need to take insulin injections like people with
type 1 diabetes.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the levels
of thyroid hormones in the blood are very high.
The condition is usually caused by Graves' disease,
an immune system problem that causes the
thyroid gland to become very active.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the levels
of thyroid hormones in the blood are very low.
The deficiency slows body processes. Kids and
teens with this condition may also grow more
slowly and reach puberty at a later age.
Growth Hormone Problems
Too much growth hormone in kids and teens who
are still growing will make their bones and other
body parts grow excessively.
This rare condition (sometimes called gigantism) is
usually caused by a pituitary tumor and can be
treated by removing the tumor.
The opposite can happen when a kid or teen has a
pituitary glad that doesn't produce enough growth
hormone. Doctors may treat these growth problems
with medication.
At 8 feet 3 inches, Sultan Kösen from Turkey is the
worlds tallest man (32 years old)
At 21 ½ inches, Chandra Bahadur Dangi, from
Nepal, is the worlds smallest man (75 years old)
Testes
Adrenals
Ovaries
pituitary
Pineal
Parathyroid
Pancreas
Thymus
Hypothalamus
thyroid
PARATHYROID