The Endocrine System

The endocrine system is a complex network of glands and organs. It uses hormones to control and
coordinate our body's metabolism, energy level, reproduction, growth and development, and response
to injury, stress, and mood. Endocrine systems, also referred to as hormone systems, are found in all
mammals, birds, fish, and many other types of living organisms.They are made up of:

•Glands located throughout the body;

•Hormones that are made by the glands and released into the bloodstream or the fluid surrounding
cells; and

•Receptors in various organs and tissues that recognize and respond to the hormones.

The endocrine system, along with the nervous system, functions in the regulation of body activities. The
nervous system acts through electrical impulses and neurotransmitters to cause muscle contraction and
glandular secretion. The effect is of short duration, measured in seconds, and localized. The endocrine
system on the other hand acts through chemical messengers called hormones that influence growth,
development, and metabolic activities. The action of the endocrine system is measured in minutes,
hours, or weeks and is more generalized than the action of the nervous system.

There are two major categories of glands in the body - exocrine and endocrine.

Exocrine Glands
Exocrine glands have ducts that carry their secretory product to a surface. These glands include the
sweat, sebaceous, and mammary glands and, the glands that secrete digestive enzymes.

The structure of the exocrine glands is divided into two parts:

•Ductal portion
•Glandular portion

The ductal portion is tubular in shape. It is a single, thick, cuboidal cell wall that helps in the movement
of the secretion. The duct may be branched or unbranched. It can also be found as a simple coiled
structure.

The glandular portion is responsible for the production of the secreted substance. It is a circular or
elongated cluster of cells. The cells found in the glandular portion depend upon the substance secreted.
For eg; serous cells secrete proteins, mucous cells secrete fluids.

The functions of the exocrine glands include:

• Lubrication

• Lactation

• Regulate Body Temperature

• Helps in reproduction

• Helps in digestion

Examples of exocrine glands include:

•Lacrimal Glands– include tear ducts near each eye.

•Pancreas– Secretes pancreatic juice along with the digestive enzymes into the stomach.

•Salivary Glands- secretes saliva along with digestive enzymes.

•Liver- secretes bile that contains salts and digestive substances.

•Mammary Glands- secrete breast milk.

•Eccrine Sweat Glands- release salty water through perspiration.

Endocrine Glands
Unlike the exocrine gland, the endocrine glands do not have ducts to carry their product to a surface.
They are called ductless glands. The word endocrine is derived from the Greek terms "endo," meaning
"within", and "krine," meaning to "separate or secrete". The secretory products or the hormones are
secreted directly into the blood and then carried throughout the body where they influence only those
cells that have receptor sites for that hormone.These endocrine glands belong to the body’s control
system and they produce hormones which help to regulate the functions of cells and tissues. Some
glands are specific to either male (testes) or female (ovaries).

The functions of enocrine glands include:

•Hormones are released into the bloodstream by endocrine glands. This allows hormones to flow to
cells throughout the body.

•Endocrine hormones play a role in mood regulation, growth and development, organ function,
metabolism, and reproduction.

•The amount of each hormone released is controlled by the endocrine system. It can be influenced by
the quantities of hormones already present in the blood, as well as the levels of other substances
present in the blood, such as calcium. Hormone levels are affected by a variety of factors, including
stress, infection, and changes in the blood fluid and mineral balance.

The types of endocrine gland include:

The pituitary gland descends from the hypothalamus at the base of the brain, and acts in close
association with it. The pituitary is often referred to as the “master gland” because its messenger
hormones control all the other glands in the endocrine system, although it mostly carries out
instructions from the hypothalamus. In addition to messenger hormones, the pituitary also secretes
growth hormone, endorphins for pain relief, and a number of key hormones that regulate fluid levels in
the body.

Located in the neck, the thyroid gland releases hormones that regulate growth, metabolism, and
appetite. In hyperthyroidism, or Grave’s disease, the thyroid secretes too much of the hormone
thyroxine, causing agitation, bulging eyes, and weight loss. In hypothyroidism, reduced hormone levels
cause sufferers to experience tiredness, and they often complain of feeling cold. Fortunately, thyroid
disorders are often treatable with medications that help reestablish a balance in the hormones secreted
by the thyroid.
The adrenal glands sit atop our kidneys and secrete hormones involved in the stress response, such as
epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline). The pancreas is an internal organ that
secretes hormones that regulate blood sugar levels: insulin and glucagon. These pancreatic hormones
are essential for maintaining stable levels of blood sugar throughout the day by lowering blood glucose
levels (insulin) or raising them (glucagon). People who suffer from diabetes do not produce enough
insulin; therefore, they must take medications that stimulate or replace insulin production, and they
must closely control the amount of sugars and carbohydrates they consume.

The gonads secrete sexual hormones, which are important in reproduction, and mediate both sexual
motivation and behavior. The female gonads are the ovaries; the male gonads are the testis. Ovaries
secrete estrogens and progesterone, and the testes secrete androgens, such as testosterone.

Hormones are produced by glands and sent into the bloodstream to the various tissues in the body.
They send signals to those tissues to tell them what they are supposed to do. When the glands do not
produce the right amount of hormones, diseases develop that can affect many aspects of life. In the case
of hormones, an excess of the hormone may lead to some diseases, too little hormone also causes
disease. The endocrine glands itself has a feedback mechanism to counteract the hormone imbalance
but sometimes it fails and leads to some disorders or diseases. And a few of those disorders/diseases
are listed below:
•Dwarfism

Growth hormone secreted by the pituitary gland is responsible for dwarfism or shortness. When
pituitary produces an insufficient amount of growth hormone, it retards the height of an individual.

•Acromegaly
Acromegaly is also known as gigantism. It is also a growth hormone-related disorder. In contrast to
dwarfism, gigantism is the outcome of the excess secretion of growth hormone by the pituitary.

•Cretinism
It is an endocrine disorder caused due to deficiency of thyroid hormones. Cretinism is a type of
hypothyroidism that occurs in infants or kids. It leads to mental and physical growth impairment.

•Diabetes mellitus
The endocrine part of pancreas produces two hormones for the balancing blood glucose level; they are –
glucagon and insulin. Diabetes mellitus, commonly known as diabetes is a condition in which blood
glucose level is high due to insufficient secretion of insulin. Excessive thirst, weight loss, frequent
urination are certain symptoms of the disease.

•Addison’s disease
This is a condition which shows symptoms of extreme weakness and fatigue, dehydration, etc. Addison’s
disease (adrenal insufficiency) is a hormonal disorder which explains the inefficiency of the adrenal
cortex to produce its hormones like *corticosteroids.

*corticosteroids: Corticoid hormones balance stress response, energy flow, body temperature, water
balance, and other essential processes. They chemically control some of the most basic actions
necessary to protect, nourish, and maintain the body. The gender-neutral corticoids guide these life-
sustaining functions in both males and females.

To conclude one can say that the endocrine system is a messenger system comprising feedback
loops of the hormones released by internal glands of an organism directly into the circulatory
system, regulating distant target organs. These hormones in its balanced form is imperative for the
normal day-to-day functioning of the human body.

Submitted by:

Bijina Ann Varghese

21PYEN18

References

 www.hopkinsmedicine.org
 www.epa.gov.
 www.cancer.gov
 courses.lumenlearning.com
 www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
 www.byjuslearning.com