Download The Endocrine System

Endocrine System Function
The health of the endocrine system is essential to
healthy body growth and physical or emotional
development. It is made up of glands and
hormones that are used to regulate the functions
and production in the body. Read more to know
details of the endocrine system function.
The endocrine system contains many different physical components that
help to regulate everything from sexual function to our mood each day.
The health and well-being of the endocrine system is essential to
maintaining healthy body weight, growth and physical or emotions
development. The endocrine system will greatly affect children and
teenagers who are experiencing a high level of development, but
different parts of this system will also play a role as we age as well as
our function day to day.
What is the Endocrine System?
The endocrine system is unique because it includes glands and hormones
instead of just organs. The glands are a group of cells that secrete
chemicals that allow the body to create a product or finish a process
somewhere else in the body. Hormones are chemicals that help to
transfer information throughout the body, typically from one organ
group to another so that the body has all the information it needs to
monitor its function. There are up to 20 major hormones secreted by the
gland in the endocrine system which are essential to different tasks
throughout the body. Some consider the pancreas to be part of the
endocrine system because it secretes hormones, but it is commonly
associated with the digestive system due to its role in breaking down and
maintaining a healthy level of glucose.
Given below are the major glands: hypothalamus, pituitary gland,
adrenal glands, thyroid, parathyroids, pineal body and reproductive
glands (the ovaries and testes) that compose the human endocrine
system.
Hypothalamus- The hypothalamus is located in the lower central area
of the brain. This helps the rest of the endocrine system remain in
contact with the nervous system by producing chemicals that will
activate or suppress the actions of the pituitary gland to secret hormone.
This allows the hypothalamus to translate messages from the nervous
system and inform the body that it needs to perform a certain action.
Pituitary Gland- The pituitary gland is located just beneath the
hypothalamus, and is often considered the most valuable part of the
endocrines system. This gland controls many of the other glands in the
endocrine system with the hormones it secretes. Emotions, changes of
the season and many other signals can affect the amount of hormones
the pituitary gland produces. As light patterns, feelings and others are
sensed by the brain, the hypothalamus sends a signal to the pituitary
gland which consists of the anterior lobe and the posterior lobe. The
anterior lobe manages the action of adrenals, thyroid and the
reproductive glands. It produces endorphins, growth hormones,
thyrotopin, prolactin or corticotropin.
Endorphins reduce the feeling of pain, control the menstrual cycle and
signal the use of the reproductive organs. Growth hormones determine
how nutrients taken into the body will be used and stimulate bone
growth. Thyrotropin stimulates the thyroid gland. Prolactin activates
milk production in women's breasts. Corticotropin stimulates the adrenal
glands.
The posterior lobe secretes antidiuretic hormone and oxytocin. The
antidiuretic hormone controls the water level in the human body. The
oxytocin helps to contract the uterus of a woman when having a baby.
Adrenal Glands- The adrenal glands are located at the tops of the
kidneys. These contain two parts, the adrenal cortex and adrenal
medulla. The adrenal cortex produces corticosteroids which help to
balance the levels of water and salt in the body. These can be altered
based on sexual development, the function of the metabolism or signals
from the immune system. The adrenal medulla produces catecholamines
which are used to regulate the heart rate and blood pressure as a reaction
to stress in the environment.
Thyroid- The thyroid is located in the front of the lower neck, and is
often compared to a butterfly given its unique shape. This gland
produces hormones that stimulate the metabolism, which controls how
fast the body breaks down food and used this fuel to create energy. The
more of this chemical is in the bloodstream, the faster your metabolism
will function. If the thyroid becomes sluggish it can lead to weight gain
and digestive disorders. The thyroid also controls brain and nervous
system development in children.
Parathyroids- There are four parathyroids which are clustered together
near the thyroid. These create the parathyroid hormone which works
with calcitonin to control the level of calcium within the bones and in
the blood.
Pineal Body- The pineal body is located in the middle of the brain. It
creates the hormones called melatonin that are used to make you fall
asleep at night and wake up in the morning based on the light levels the
body perceives.
Reproductive Glands- In women, the reproductive glands consist of the
ovaries, which are located in the pelvis. These are used to produce
estrogen and progesterone which controls breast growth, the regulation
of the menstrual cycle and to monitor pregnancy. The ovaries also
contain the eggs used in reproduction. In men, the reproductive organs
are the testes which are located in the scrotum. These secrete androgens
such as testosterone that will help signal puberty, body and penis
growth, deepening voice and the creation and maintenance of facial hair.
Men and women each have levels of estrogen and testosterone that must
be maintained for healthy development.
How does the Endocrine System Work?
When a gland in the endocrine system releases a hormone, it will travel
through the bloodstream. These hormones are designed to interact with a
specific part of the body, so when it arrives at this organ or tissue, a
message will be sent to this area. Some hormones also bind with proteins
that will control the amount of the hormone that will be allowed to enter
a new area of the body so that the body is not overwhelmed with the
signal being sent. Not only to the glands in the endocrine system help to
create these hormones, they also contain mechanisms that help to
regulate how much of the hormone is in the system at any given time.
Signs from the body including calcium levels, the amount of material in
the digestive tract, physical activities the body is taking part in and many
other signals will allow the glands to turn on and off, increasing or
decreasing hormone levels as necessary. Some hormone levels will also
naturally increase and decrease as we age.
Diseases such as diabetes, an adrenal deficiency or abnormalities with
puberty can cause the body to produce an incorrect amount of hormones.
These conditions can affect the body as a whole, or will affect specific
parts of the endocrine system such as the thyroid or the pancreas
depending on the condition. If it appears as though your child is not
developing properly, you cannot manage your hunger or you are
experiencing fast and unexplained weight gain or growth, there may be a
problem with the endocrine system. You will need to seek medical
advice to determine how to treat these conditions.