Function of endocrine

 Metabolism
 Control of food intake and digestion
 Tissue development
 Ion regulation
 Water balance
 Heart rate and blood pressure regulation
 Control of blood glucose and other nutrients
 Control of reproductive functions
 Uterine contraction and milk release
 Immune system regulation

Anatomy and Physiology

The endocrine system consists of ductless glands that secrete hormones into the interstitial
fluid. The hormones then enter the blood. These hormones regulate the body’s growth, metabolism (the
physical and chemical processes of the body), and sexual development function. Not surprisingly, the
organs in the body with the richest blood supply are endocrine glands, such as the adrenal gland and the
thyroid gland. Some glands of the endocrine system perform functions in addition to hormone
secretions. Hormones are chemical messengers created in the body. They transfer information from one
set of cells to another to coordinate the functions of different parts of the body.

The major glands of the endocrine system are the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid,
adrenal, pineal body, and the reproductive organs (ovaries and the testes) the pancreas is also a part of
this system: it has role in hormone production as well as in digestion.

Pituitary gland

The pituitary gland is also called the hypophysis. it is a small gland about the size of a pea. It
rests in a depression of the sphenoid bone inferior to the hypothalamus of the brain. The pituitary gland
lies posterior to the optic chiasm and is connected to the hypothalamus by a stalk called the
infundibulum. The pituitary gland is divided into two parts. The anterior pituitary is made up of epithelial
cells derived from the embryonic oral cavity. The posterior pituitary is an extension of the brain and is
composed of nerve cells.

Hypothalamus

the almond sized hypothalamus is located below the thalamus and sits just above the brainstem. All
vertebrate brains have a hypothalamus. Its primary function is to maintain homeostasis (stability of the
internal environmental) in the body. The hypothalamus links the nervous and endocrine system by way
of the pituitary gland. Its function is to secrete releasing hormones and inhibiting production of
hormones in the anterior pituitary. Specialized neurons clusters called neurosecretory cell in the
hypothalamus produce the hormone antidiuretics hormone (ADH) and oxytocin (OXT), and transport
them to the pituitary, where they’re stored for later release.

Thyroid gland
The thyroid gland is shield shaped and made up of two lobes connected by a narrow band called the
isthmus. The lobes are located on each side of the trachea, just inferior to the larynx. The thyroid gland
is one of the largest endocrine glands. It appears more red than the surrounding tissue because it is
highly vascular. It is surrounded by a connective tissue capsule. The main function of the thyroid gland is
to secrete thyroid hormones, which bind to the nuclear receptors in cell and regulate the rate of
metabolism in the body. Thyroid hormones are synthesized and stored within the gland in numerous
thyroid follicles, which are small spheres with walls composed of simple cuboidal epithelium. Each
thyroid follicle is filled with the protein thyroglobulin, to which thyroid hormones are attached. Between
the follicles is a network of loose connective tissue that contains capillaries and scattered parafollicular
cells, or C cells, which secrete the hormone calcitonin.

Parathyroid gland

The parathyroid glands are four tiny glands, located in the neck, that control the body’s calcium levels.
Each gland is about the size of a grain of rice. The parathyroid produce a hormones (PTH) raises the
blood calcium level by breaking down the bone (where most of the body’s calcium is stored) and causing
calcium release, Increasing the body ability to absorb calcium from food, Increasingly the kidney’s ability
to hold on to calcium that would otherwise be lost in the urine.

Adrenal gland

Adrenal glands, also known as renal suprarenal glands, are small triangular shaped glands located top of
both kidneys. Its produce hormones that help regulate your metabolism, immunes system, blood
pressure, response to stress and other essential function. Adrenal gland is composed of two parts the
cortex and medulla which are each responsible for producing different hormones. When adrenal glands
don’t produce enough hormones, this can lead to adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s diseases). Adrenal
glands may develop nodules that can be being or malignant, which can potentially produce excessive
amount of certain hormones leading to various health issue.

Pancreas

The pancreas is a gland organ. It is located in the abdomen. It is part of digestive system and produces
insulin and other important enzymes and hormones that help break down foods. The pancreas has an
endocrine function because it releases juice directly into the bloodstream, and it has an exocrine
function because it releases juices into the duct. Enzymes, or digestive juices, are secreted by the
pancreas into a small intestine. There, it continues breaking down food that has left the stomach
enzyme. The pancreas also produces hormone insulin and secretes it into the bloodstream, where
regulates the body’s glucose or sugar level. Problems with insulin control can lead to diabetes.