Module 12: The Endocrine System

Function of the Endocrine System:

1. Water balance - it controls the solute concentration of the blood.
2. Uterine contraction and milk release - it regulates uterine contractions during delivery of the new born and stimulates milk release from
the breasts in lactating females.
3. Growth metabolism and tissue maturation - the endocrine system regulates the growth of many tissues, such as the bone and muscle,
and the rate of metabolism of many tissues, which helps maintain a normal body temperature and normal mental functions.
4. Ion regulation - it regulates sodium ions, potassium ions, and calcium ions concentration in the blood.
5. Heart rate and blood pressure regulation - it helps regulate the heart rate and blood pressure and helps the body for physical activity.
6. Blood glucose control - it regulates blood glucose levels and other nutrients in the blood.
7. Immune system regulation - it helps control the production and functions of immune cells.
8. Reproductive functions control - it controls the development and the function of the reproductive systems in males and females.
Disorder Associated
Gland Hormone Target Response with undersecretion Disorder Associated with
Tissues oversecretion
1. Anterior
Pituitary A. Growth Most tissues - Increases protein
hormone/Somatotropin synthesis
- breakdown of lipids dwarfism Giantism in childhood
- release of fatty acids
from cells Acromegaly in adulthood
-increase blood
glucose level
B. Thyroid stimulating
hormone/TSH Thyroid gland Increase thyroid hypothyroidism Goiter-enlarge thyroid gland
hormone - can also develop if there
secretion( thyroxine iodine deficiency in the diet
and triiodothyronine)
C. Adrenocorticotropic Adrenal cortex Increase scretion of of Increase skin pigmentation at
hormone/ACTH glucocorticoid -Anorexia highconcentration
hormones such as
cortisol - weakness

- low blood pressure

D. Melanocyte Melanocytes in Skin pigmentation Albinism Darker skin coloration
stimulating skin
hormone/MSH
E. Luteinizing - Ovary in - Promotes ovulation
hormone/LH or females and progesterone - infertility - infertility in men
interstitial cell - Testes in production in ovary
 stimulating males - testosterone - stop ovulation in -polycystic ovary syndrome in
hormone/ICSH synthesis and support women women
for sperm cell
production in testis

F. Prolactin - Ovary and - Stimulates milk

mammary production and Less milk production Over production of milk
gland in prolongs progesterone
females secretion following
- Testis in ovulation and during
males pregnancy
- increases sensitivity
to LH in males
G. Follicle stimulating - Follicles in - Promote follicle
hormone/FSH ovary in maturation and Incomplete development o
females estrogen secretion in of puberty
- semineferous ovary
tubules in - sperm cell production
males in testis
2. Posterior A. Antidiuretic
pituitary hormone/ADH kidney Increases water Diabetes insipidus -
gland reabsorption(less
water is lost as urine)
B. Oxytocin - Uterus -increases uterine
Prolong labor - in men low sexual drive
-Mammary contraction
gland - increases milk “let - menstrual difficulty and
down” from mammary ovarian failure in women
gland
3. Thyroid A. Thyroid - Increases metabolic
gland hormones( thyroxine most cells of rates Infant-cretinism- a Grave’s disease
and triiodothyronine) the body - Essential for normal condition in which the - a type of hyperthyroidism
process of growth and person is mentally resulting from the production
maturation retarded and has a short of abnormal protein by the
stature with abnormally immune system that are
formed skeletal similar in structure and
structures function to TSH

Adult-myxedema - is the =accompanied by bulging of

accumulation of fluid and the eyes, a condition called

B. Calcitonin
4.Parathyro Parathyroid hormone
id gland
4. Adrenal Epinephrine/Adrenalin
medulla and Norepinephrine
- also called the fight-or-
flight hormone because
of their role in preparing
the body for vigorous
physical activity
5. Adrenal A. Mineralcorticoids( Ald
cortex osterone)
B. Glucorticoid (cortisol)
other molecules in the exophthalmia
subcutaneous tissue
- Decreases rate of
Primary bone bone breakdown
- prevent large
increase in blood
calcium ion levels
following a meal
Bone - Increase rate of bone
kidneys breakdown by Hypoparathyroidism- it Hyperparathyroidism-it can
osteoclasts cab be the result of result to a tumor of a
- increase vitamin D injury or surgical parathyroid gland
synthesis removal of the thyoid - increase bone resorption and
- essential for gland elevate calcium ion level
maintennance of - can result to reduced
normal blood calcium rate of bone resorption
leveld and reduced vitan D
formation
- Heart Increases cardiac can result in physical can damage your blood
- blood vessels output and mental symptoms, vessels, increase your blood
- liver Increases blood flow such as: anxiety. pressure, and elevate your risk
- fat cells to skeletal muscles depression. changes in of heart attacks or stroke
and heart blood pressure.
Increases release of
glucose and fatty acids
- kidneys Increase rate of - low blood pressure
- to a lesser sodium transport into -Lose of potassium and retain
degree body - low sodium level and sodium
intestine and Increase rate of potassium level
sweat gland potassium excretion
Most tissues - Increase fat and - fatigue
like liver fat, protein breakdown
skeletal - Increase glucose -low blood pressure - High blood pressure
muscle,immune synthesis from amino -Addison's disease can
tissue acids develop if your immune - osteoporosis
- Increase blood system attacks your
nutrient levels adrenal glands and - muscle weakness
severely damages your
 adrenal cortex. When - excess production of cortisol
90% of the adrenal from a tumor in the adrenal
cortex is destroyed, your gland or elsewhere in the body
adrenal glands will not (ectopic Cushing's syndrome)
be able to produce or a tumor of the pituitary
enough of the gland ...
steroid hormones cortis
ol and aldosterone.
C. Adrenal androgens Most tissues Insignificant in males
Increase female - loss of sexual drive -hirsutism (excessive hair
sexual drive,pubic hair gowth
and axillary hair - loss of muscle mass
growth and strength
6. Pancreas A. Insulin Especially Increase uptake and
liver,skeletal use of glucose and Diabetes mellitus Hyperinsulinemia which is link
muscle,adipose amino acids to obesity and heart disease
tissue
B. Glucagon Primary liver Increase breakdown of  your cells don't store sugar,
of glycogen and If they drop too low, the and instead, sugar stays in
release of glucose into individual may become your bloodstream.
the circulatory system disoriented, dizzy or Glucagonoma leads to
even pass out. diabetes-like symptoms and
other severe symptoms,
including: high blood sugar.
excessive thirst and hunger
due to high blood
7.Testes Testosterone Most tissues - Aids in sperm cell
production - Reduce sexual drive - excessive facial and body
- Maintenance of hair aggression
functional reproductive - erectile dysfunction
organs -infertility
- secondary sex
characteristics -
sexual behavior
8.Ovaries Estrogen and Most tissues - Aid in uterine and - Interfere with sexual
progesterone mammary function and - Lump of breast
development and development
function - also increase risk of - irregular menstrual period
- External genitalia obesity
structure
 - secondary sex -osteoporosis and
characteristics cardiovascular disease
- sexual behavior
- menstraul cycle
9. Prostaglandin Most tissues - Mediate inflammatory  High
Uterus,ovar responses -arthritis levels of prostaglandins are
ies , - Increase uterine produced in response to injury
inflamed contraction - mentrual cramping or infection and cause
tissues - ovulation inflammation, which is
associated with the symptoms
of redness, swelling, pain and
fever. This is an important part
of the body's normal healing
process.
10. Thymus thymosin Immune tissues Promotes immune Low resistance
system development
and function
11. Pineal melatonin hypothalamus Inhibit secretion of - restlesness -reset circadian rhythms
gland gonadotropin - sleepness
releasing - poor stress response -lower core body temperature
hormone,thereby - insomia
inhibiting reproduction