Lecture 9 Human Anatomy: Endocrine System  Ex.

Growth hormone,
antidiuretic, prolactin, etc.
 Functions of Endocrine System o Lipid hormones
o Controls homeostasis
 Includes steroids and
o Maintains water balance eicosanoids
o Controls uterine contractions  Ex. LH, FSH, androgens
o Controls milk production o Regulation of Hormones
o Regulates ions (calcium, sodium,  Blood levels of chemicals
potassium)  Ex. Blood glucose
o Regulates metabolism and growth levels (insulin)
o Regulates heart rate and blood pressure  Other hormones:
o Monitors blood glucose levels  Ex. TSH signals thyroid
o Aids the immune system gland to release thyroid
o Reproductive functions hormone
 Components of Endocrine System  Nervous system
o Endocrine glands  Ex. Epinephrine and
 Secrete their product directly fight or flight response
into blood stream  Negative feedback
o Chemical Signal  Tells body when
 Molecules that are released from homeostasis is reached
one location, move to another o Pituitary gland
location, and produce a  S
response. m
 Types of chemical signal all
o Intracellular
 Produce in one of part a cell and
move to another part of same
cell.
o Intercellular
 Released from one cell and bind gland in brain
to receptors on another cell  Controlled by hypothalamus
 How does this work?  Divided into 2 regions: anterior
o Hormones are secreted by endocrine and posterior
glands directly into bloodstream  Secretes at least 6 hormones
o Hormones travel to all parts of a body o Anterior Pituitary Gland
o Hormones (key) bind to receptor site  Growth hormone
(lock) on target tissue  Target tissues: most
o Response occur  Functions: stimulates
 How do hormones cause change? growth of bones
o Alter cell activity of target tissues by muscles, and organs
increasing or decreasing cell’s normal  Abnormalities: Too
processes much GH causes
o Change permeability of cell membrane giantism
by opening or closing ion channels Too little GH causes
o Synthesis of proteins pituitary dwarfism
 Types of hormones o Thyroid – Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
o Water soluble:  Target tissues: thyroid gland
 includes proteins, peptides,  Functions: regulates thyroid
amino acids gland secretions
 most common  Abnormalities: Too much TSH,
thyroid gland enlarges
 Too little TSH, thyroid gland  Thyroid gland
shrinks o One of the largest glands
 Gonadotropins o Requires iodine to function
o LH (Luteinizing) for females: o Thyroid hormones:
 Target tissue: ovaries  Target tissues: most
 Function: promotes ovulation  Functions: regulates metabolic
and progesterone production rates and is needed for growth
o LH for males: o Abnormalities of Thyroid Gland
 Target tissue: testes  Hypothyroidism:
 Function: sperm production and  Decreased metabolism
testosterone  Weight gain, reduced appetite,
o FSH (Follicle-stimulating) for females: fatigue
 Target tissue: follicle in ovaries  Low temp. and pulse
 Function: follicle maturation  Dry, cold skin
and estrogen secretion  Myxedema in adults
o FSH for males:
 Cretinism in infants
 Target tissue: seminiferous  Hyperthyroidism
tubules (testes)
 Increased metabolism
 Function: sperm production
 Weight loss, increased
 Prolactin
appetite, nervousness
o Target tissue: mammary glands and
 Higher temp. and pulse
ovaries
 Warm, flushed skin
o Functions: milk production
 Graves’ disease (leads to
 Posterior Pituitary Gland
goiter)
o Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
o Calcitonin
 Target tissues: Kidneys
 Target tissues: bones
 Functions: conserve water
 Functions: secreted when blood
 Abnormalities
Ca2+ levels are high
 Diabetes insipidus:
o Low ADH
o Kidneys to produce large
amounts if dilute
(watery)urine.
o Can lead to dehydration and
thirst

o Parathyroid gland
 Parathyroid hormone (PTH):
 Target tissues: bones and
kidneys
 Functions: regulates blood
Ca2+ levels ( more than
calcitonin)
 If Ca 2+ is low then
osteoclasts break down bone
 matrix and less Ca 2+ is lost
in urine.
 If Ca 2+ is high then
osteoclasts don’t break down
bone matrix and more Ca 2+
is lost in urine.
 Adrenal glands
o On kidneys
o 2 regions medulla and cortex
 Adrenal Medulla(inner portion):
o Epinephrine/ Norepinephrine:
 Target tissues: heart, blood
vessels, liver, fat cells
 Function: released as part of
fight or flight response
 Adrenal cortex (outer portion):
o Aldosterone:
 Type of mineralocorticoids
 Target tissues: kidneys
 Functions: causes Na+ and H2O
to be retained and K+ to be
secreted, indirectly involved
with blood pressure and blood
volume
o Cortisol
 Type of glucocorticoids
 Target tissues: most
 Functions: increases breakdown
of fat and protein for energy
uses reduces inflammatory and
immune responses
o Androgens
 Target tissues: most
 Functions:
 Males: secondary sexual
characteristics
 Females: sex drive
o Pancreas
 Organ in abdomen
 Insulin:
 Target tissues: liver, skeletal
muscle, adipose tissue and
satiety center of hypothalamus.
 Functions:
 regulates blood glucose levels
 after a meal glucose levels are
high and insulin is secreted
 extra glucose is stored in form
of glycogen
 Abnormalities:
  Diabetes mellitus
o Causes: too little insulin or
faulty insulin receptors
o Symptoms: exaggerated
appetite,excess urine,
dehydration, thirst, fatigue
o Type I: insulin dependent
(daily injections required)
o Type II: insulin
independent,often found in
obese people, can be treated
with diet but can turn into type I
 Glucagon
o Target tissues: liver
o Function:
 regulates blood glucose levels
 between meals glucose levels drop and
glucagon is secreted
 glucagon allows glycogen to be broken down
into glucose
 Testes
o Testosterone:
 Target tissues: most
 Functions: aids in sperm and reproductive
organ development and function
 Ovaries
o Estrogen/ Progesterone
 Target tissues: most
 Functions: involved in uterine and mammary
gland development and menstrual cycle
 Thymus gland
o Thymosin
 Target tissues: immune system tissues
 Functions: promotes immune system
development and function
 Pineal Body (Gland)
o Melatonin:
 Target tissues: hypothalamus
 Functions: plays a role in onset of puberty and
controls circadian rhythms. Light affects its
function.