—The glandular system consists

of the endocrine glands: the

pituitary gland, thyroid
gland, parathyroid gland,
thymus gland, sex glands
(ovaries and testes), the
pancreas, hypothalamus and
adrenal glands.
— The glands produce and excrete
chemical substances into the
blood known as hormones.
Hormones regulate basic drives
and emotions, promote growth
and sexual identity, control
body temperature, assist in the
repair of damaged tissues, and
help generate energy.
—The endocrine glands
are the regulators of
the body, controlling
many bodily functions
including drives,
emotions, growth, energy
production, and repair of
damaged tissues.
—The pineal gland is a
pea-sized organ located
in the centre of the
brain. It is sensitive to
light, as perceived
through a nerve
connection from the
eyes. ("third eye.")
—It is responsible,
along with the
pituitary gland, for
coordinating all the
other endocrine
glands of the body.
—The pituitary gland
hangs down on a stalk
from the hypothalamus
and is closely associated
with it. It has been
called the "master gland”.
—The thyroid gland is an
endocrine gland located
just under the Adam's
apple in the throat. It
secretes a hormone into
the bloodstream called,
thyroxin which controls
the body's metabolism.
—Hormones from the
parathyroid glands help
control calcium and
phosphorous levels in the
body. The parathyroid glands
are necessary for proper
bone development.
—The thymus gland is
situated behind the
sternum in the centre of the
chest. It is especially
important before puberty
for its role in the
developing immune
system.
—The adrenals gland
secrete about 50 different
hormones including
adrenaline and cortisone.
The hormones from the
adrenal glands control
energy output and help us
deal with stress .
—The pancreas is
responsible for
regulating blood sugar
levels. It secretes insulin
and glucagon .
—The gonads refer to the
ovaries in females and the
testes in males. These
hormones are responsible for
sexual characteristics and
include estrogen ,
progesterone , and
testosterone .
—Male sex hormones, as a
group, are called
androgens . The principal
androgen is testosterone ,
which is secreted by the
testes . A small amount
is also produced by the
adrenal cortex.
Two groups of female
sex hormones are
produced in the
ovaries , the
estrogens and
progesterone
— Progesterone causes
the uterine lining to
thicken in preparation
for pregnancy.
Pituitary gland hormones
— (TSH) Thyroid Stimulating hormone
— (ACTH) Adrenocorticotropic hormone
— (FSH) Follicle Stimulating hormone
— (LH) Luteinizing hormone
— (PRL) Prolactin
— (GH) Growth hormone
— (MSH) Melanocyte-stimulating hormone
—TSH from the pituitary
gland stimulates the
thyroid gland to produce
thyroid hormones. In turn,
thyroid hormones inhibit
the release of calcium in
the blood.
—ACTH acts upon the cortex
(outer area) of the adrenal
gland to produce steroid
hormones. FSH and LH act
upon women and men in
regulating various sexual
characteristics.
—Prolactin travels to the breast
tissue glands of nursing
mothers, causing milk
production.
—Growth hormone stimulates
protein synthesis and cell
division in cartilage and bone
tissue.
Gigantism results when
excessive amounts of growth
hormone are produced during
childhood. Pituitary dwarfism
occurs when too little growth
hormone is produced.
Acromegaly occurs when too
much GH is produced during
adulthood.
—ADH acts upon the
kidney tubules to help
maintain a constant
level of body water.
Oxytocin triggers milk
release from breast
tissue.
— Thyroxine (T4)
— Triiodothyronine (T3)
— Calcitonin
— Thyroid hormone affects body
growth, metabolic rates, and the
development of bones and skeletal
muscle.
— Calcitonin lowers blood calcium
levels.
— PTH increases blood calcium
— The medulla "emergency gland"
develops from nervous tissue. The
medulla secretes epinephrine
(adrenaline) and norepinephrine
(noradrenaline). These effects
prepare the body for the "Fight or
Flight" response, enabling the
individual to think quicker, fight
harder, and run faster.
— Calling oxytocin the “love” hormone is over simplifying
its function, though there is a lot of science behind
why it has been dubbed this.

— Oxytocin does a lot in the body. It’s essential for the

contractions that happen in child birth, and is
responsible for the “milk let down” in breast feeding.
— It is also an important hormone in forming
monogamous bonds in animals that pair up for life.

— Oxytocin in general has been characterized as

“prosocial”, meaning that it promotes affiliative, or
positive, social behaviors.

— It has been a focus of studies for autism and there are

even clinical trials currently ongoing