Download Endocrine System

Body Systems and Disorders
 Glands
produce
secretions
 Endocrine glands make
hormones
 Hormones use the
circulatory system to
reach their target
 Do not confuse with
exocrine glands which
has secretions that go
through a duct

Coordinate and integrate functions
to maintain homeostasis –
endocrine and nervous system
work in a unique partnership.

Hypothalamus (a part of the
nervous system) – sends directions
via chemical signals
(neurotransmitters) to the pituitary
(part of the endocrine system).
Secretions of pituitary then send
chemical signals in the form of
hormones, causing them to
stimulate other endocrine glands to
secrete their unique hormones.
 About
size of a grape
 Located at base of brain
 Connected to the
hypothalamus
 Anterior lobe and
posterior lobe
 Also known as the
master gland
 Located
in neck close to
the cricoid cartilage
(Adam’s apple) –
butterfly shaped.
 Regulates body
metabolism. Stimulates
protein synthesis and
this helps in tissue
growth. Stimulates the
breakdown of liver
glycogen to glucose.
 Four
glands size of
grains of rice
 Attached to the posterior
surface of the
thyroid gland
 Maintains calciumphosphorus balance.
When blood calcium
level is lower than
normal, parathormone
secretion is increased.
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Both an endocrine gland and
lymphatic organ
Located under the sternum
Decreases in size with aging
Thymosin – major hormone
that helps to stimulate the
lymphoid cells that are
responsible for production of
T cells which fight certain
diseases.
This gland is critical to the
development of the immune
system.
Located on top of each
kidney
 Have a cortex and a
medulla
 Hormones secreted by the
adrenal cortex are known
as corticoids. Corticoids
are very effective as antiinflammatory drugs.
 Adrenal medulla secretes
epinephrine and
norepinephrine.

 Also
called sex glands
 Female
– Ovaries – produce hormones
estrogen & progesterone.
 Male
– Testes – produce hormone
testosterone.
 Located
behind stomach
 Exocrine and endocrine
functions.
 Exocrine – secretes
pancreatic juices into the
small intestine that helps
with digestion.
 Endocrine – involved in
production of insulin
and glucagon.
Located on the roof of the
third ventricle in
the brain
 Melatonin – hormone
produced. Causes body
temperature to drop.
Light entering eye
stimulates suprachiasmatic
nucleus which then
stimulates the pineal gland
to release its hormone.

 A number of factors
– Disease of the gland
– Autoimmune causes
– Infections
– Dietary deficiencies
 Signs
can cause problems
and symptoms usually do to hyper- or
hypoactivity of the glands
Hyperfunction leads to:

Gigantism – hypersecretion
of pituitary growth
hormone during
preadolescence. Causes
an overgrowth of the long
bones leading to excessive
tallness.

Acromegaly –
hypersecretion of the
growth hormone in
adulthood. Over
development of the bones
of the face, hand, and feet.
Hypofunction leads to:
Dwarfism – during
childhood. Growth of
long bones is abnormally
decreased by an
inadequate production of
growth hormone. Body is
normally proportioned
and intelligence is
normal.
HYPERTHYROIDISM
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Diagnostic tests – Blood test for
TSH, T3 and T4. Thyroid scan &
Radioactive iodine uptake test
using radioactive iodine.
What is it? Overactivity of gland.
Leads to enlargment of gland.
Symptoms: consumption of lrg
quantities of food but suffer loss of
body fat/weight. Feeling hot, fast
growing/rougher fingernails,
weakened muscles. Bulging of the
eyeballs.
HYPOTHYROIDISM
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Diagnostic tests – same as
for hyper.
What is it? Underactivity of
gland. Major cause –
inflammation of the thyroid.
Symptoms: dry/itchy skin,
dry/brittle hair,
constipation, muscle
cramps at night.
HYPERPARATHYROIDISM
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May cause increase in amount
of blood calcium, increasing
tendency for calcium to
crystallize in kidneys resulting
in kidney stones.
Excess amounts of calcium are
withdrawn from bones – may
lead to eventual deformity.
Bones become so fragile that
even walking can cause
fractures.
HYPOPARATHYROIDISM
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Leads to tetany – severely
diminished calcium levels
affect the normal function
of nerves. Convulsive
twitching's develop, and
afflicted person can die of
spasms in the respiratory
muscles.
Treatment: admin of
vitamin D, calcium, and
parathormone to restore a
normal calcium balance.
HYPERFUNCTION
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Cushing’s syndrome – from
hypersecretion of
glucocorticoid hormones from
adrenal cortex. Possible
causes: tumor or prolonged
prednisone use.
Symptoms – high B/P,
muscular weakness, obesity,
poor healing of skin lesions,
easily bruise, hyperglycemia.
Treatment – surgical removal
of the tumor.
HYPOFUNCTION
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Addison’s disease – low
secretion of hormones.
Symptoms – excessive
pigmentation, low levels of
blood glucose, low B/P,
muscular weakness, fatigue,
diarrhea, weight loss,
vomiting, severe drop in
sodium in blood and tissue.
Treatment – focused on
replacement of the deficient
hormones.
 Pancreatic
disorder
 Decreased secretion of
insulin from the islets
of Langerhans cells or
by the ineffective use
of insulin
 Type I – juvenile
 Type II – most common
in adults. Makes up
90% - 95% of diabetics.
Signs and symptoms –
excessive urination,
excessive thirst, excessive
hunger, weight loss,
blurred vision
 Diagnostic tests – done
with blood and urine,
glucose tolerance test
 Treatments – diet, glucose
monitoring, insulin
injection.
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Signs and symptoms –
gradual onset, feelings of
tiredness or illness, frequent
urination, unusual thirst,
frequent infections, slow
healing of sores
Diagnostic tests – done with
blood and urine, glucose
tolerance test
Treatments – diet, weight
reduction, glucose
monitoring, oral
hypoglycemic agents.