Endocrine System

The endocrine system is a complex network of glands and organs. It

uses hormones to control and coordinate your body's metabolism,
energy level, reproduction, growth and development, and response to
injury, stress, and mood. The following are integral parts of the
endocrine system:

• Hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is located at the base of the brain, near the optic chiasm
where the optic nerves behind each eye cross and meet. The hypothalamus secretes hormones
that stimulate or suppress the release of hormones in the pituitary gland, in addition to
controlling water balance, sleep, temperature, appetite, and blood pressure.

• Pineal body. The pineal body is located below the corpus callosum, in the middle of the brain.
It produces the hormone melatonin, which helps the body know when it's time to sleep.

• Pituitary. The pituitary gland is located below the brain. Usually no larger than a pea, the
gland controls many functions of the other endocrine glands.

• Thyroid and parathyroid. The thyroid gland and parathyroid glands are located in front of the
neck, below the larynx (voice box). The thyroid plays an important role in the body's
metabolism. The parathyroid glands play an important role in the regulation of the body's
calcium balance.

• Thymus. The thymus is located in the upper part of the chest and produces white blood cells
that fight infections and destroy abnormal cells.

• Adrenal gland. An adrenal gland is located on top of each kidney. Like many glands, the
adrenal glands work hand-in-hand with the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. The adrenal
glands make and release corticosteroid hormones and epinephrine that maintain blood pressure
and regulate metabolism.

• Pancreas. The pancreas is located across the back of the abdomen, behind the stomach. The
pancreas plays a role in digestion, as well as hormone production. Hormones produced by the
pancreas include insulin and glucagon, which regulate levels of blood sugar.

• Ovary. A woman's ovaries are located on both sides of the uterus, below the opening of the
fallopian tubes (tubes that extend from the uterus to the ovaries). In addition to containing the
egg cells necessary for reproduction, the ovaries also produce estrogen and progesterone.

• Testis. A man's testes are located in a pouch that hangs suspended outside the male body. The
testes produce testosterone and sperm.
Integumentary System
Your integumentary system is your body’s outer layer. It consists of your skin, hair, nails, and glands.
These organs and structures are your first line of defense against bacteria and help protect you from
injury and sunlight. Your integumentary system works with other systems in your body to keep it in
balance.

Skin

Your skin is the largest and heaviest organ in your body. It weighs about six pounds (or more) and is
approximately 2 millimeters thick — thinner on sensitive areas like eyelids, and thicker on surfaces that
take more stress, like the soles of your feet. One inch of your skin contains nearly 19 million cells.

Your skin is composed of three layers, with nerves that recognize different sensations in each layer:

Epidermis: The top layer of your skin. This is the part of your skin that you can see and touch. It’s made
up of three types of cells: melanocytes, keratinocytes, and Langerhans. It gives your skin its color and
provides a waterproof barrier.

Dermis: The middle layer of your skin. This layer is the thickest. It contains sweat and oil glands and hair
follicles.

Hypodermis: The bottom layer of your skin. It’s the fatty layer of your skin that helps insulate your body.

What makes up the integumentary system?

Your integumentary system is an organ that consists of a few main structures: skin, nails, hair and
glands, along with the nerves and blood vessels that support them.

Skin

Your skin is the largest and heaviest organ in your body. It weighs about six pounds (or more) and is
approximately 2 millimeters thick — thinner on sensitive areas like eyelids, and thicker on surfaces that
take more stress, like the soles of your feet. One inch of your skin contains nearly 19 million cells.

Your skin is composed of three layers, with nerves that recognize different sensations in each layer:

1. Epidermis: The top layer of your skin. This is the part of your skin that you can see and touch. It’s
made up of three types of cells: melanocytes, keratinocytes and Langerhans. It gives your skin its
color and provides a waterproof barrier.
2. Dermis: The middle layer of your skin. This layer is the thickest. It contains sweat and oil glands
and hair follicles.
 3. Hypodermis: The bottom layer of your skin. It’s the fatty layer of your skin that helps insulate
your body.

Nails
Your nails protect the ends of your fingers and toes. The anatomy of your nail consists of:

1. Nail plate: The hard part of your nail you can see.
2. Nail bed: The skin under your nail plate.
3. Cuticle: The thin skin at the base of your nail plate.
4. Matrix: The “root” of your nail responsible for making it grow.
5. Lunula: The white, moon-shaped part of your nail plate.

Hair
Our hair does more than help us look nice. The hair on your head helps keep heat in your body. Your
eyelashes and eyebrows help protect your eyes from dirt and water.

Your hair is made of a protein called keratin. Your hair consists of three parts: the shaft, follicle and bulb.

1. Hair shaft: The part of your hair you can see, touch and style.
2. Hair follicle: The tube-like structure that keeps your hair in your skin.
3. Hair bulb: Located under your skin and responsible for hair growth.

Goosebumps are caused by your integumentary system. We all have hair erector muscles connected to
our hair follicles and skin. When it contracts, it makes your hair stand up. The “goosebumps” are what
we see when these tiny muscles contract.

Glands

Glands are found throughout your skin. They release materials like water, salt or oil from under your
skin to the surface of your skin. Your integumentary system consists of the following glands:

1. Sudoriferous glands: These are the glands that secrete sweat through your skin. There are two
types of sweat glands: eccrine glands and apocrine glands. Eccrine glands are all over your body
and open to your pores, while apocrine glands open into your hair follicles.
2. Sebaceous glands: These glands produce sebum (oil) and give your face its oil.
3. Ceruminous glands: These are the glands in your ear that secrete ear wax.
4. Mammary glands: These are the glands on a person’s chest. In people assigned female at birth
(AFAB), mammary glands produce milk after giving birth.