Endocrine System, group of specialized organs and

body tissues that produce, store, and secrete chemical

substances known as hormones. As the body's chemical
messengers, hormones transfer information and instructions
from one set of cells to another.
Among their many jobs are Endocrine organs are
regulating the body's sometimes called ductless
growth and development, glands because they have
controlling the function of no ducts connecting them
various tissues, supporting to specific body parts.
pregnancy and other The hormones they secrete
reproductive functions, and are released directly into
regulating metabolism. the bloodstream.
In contrast, the exocrine
glands, such as the sweat
glands or the salivary
glands, release their
secretions directly to
target areas.
Pituitary Gland
Called the master gland
The pituitary secretes hormones that control the activity
of other endocrine glands and regulate various biological
processes.
The pituitary gland is influenced both neurally and
hormonally by the hypothalamus.
THE ANTERIOR LOBE

Growth hormone (GH), or the somatotropic hormone

(STH), hormone - which stimulates cellular activity in
bone, cartilage, and other structural tissue; It is essential
for normal skeletal growth and is neutralized during
adolescence by the gonadal sex hormones.
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) controls the normal
functioning of the thyroid gland;
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) controls the
activity of the cortex of the adrenal glands and takes part
in the stress reaction.
Prolactin, also called lactogenic, luteotropic, or
mammotropic hormone, initiates milk secretion in the
mammary gland after the mammary tissues have been
prepared during pregnancy by the secretion of other
pituitary and sex hormones.
The two gonadotropic In 1975 scientists identified
hormones are follicle- the pituitary peptide
stimulating hormone (FSH) endorphin, which acts in
and luteinizing hormone (LH).experimental animals as a
Follicle-stimulating hormone natural pain reliever in times
stimulates the formation of theof stress.
Graafian follicle in the female Endorphin and ACTH are
ovary and the development of made as part pf the body's
spermatozoa in the male. mechanism for coordinating
Luteinizing hormone the physiological activities
stimulates the formation of of two stress-induced
ovarian hormones after hormones.
ovulation and initiates The same large prohormone
lactation in the female; in the that contains ACTH and
male, it stimulates the tissues endorphin also contains
of the testes to elaborate short peptides called
testosterone. melanocyte-stimulating
hormones (MSH). These
substances are analogous to
the hormone that regulates
pigmentation in fish and
amphibians, but in humans
they have no known
function.
THE INTERMEDIATE LOBE
In lower vertebrates this part of the pituitary secretes
melanocyte-stimulating hormone, which brings about
skin-color changes. In humans, it is present only for a
short time early in life and during pregnancy, and is not
known to have any function
THE POSTERIOR LOBE
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or vasopressin.
Vasopressin stimulates the kidney tubules to absorb
water from the filtered plasma that passes through
the kidneys and thus controls the amount of urine
secreted by the kidneys.
Oxytocin - causes the contraction of the smooth
muscles in the uterus, intestines, and blood
arterioles. Oxytocin stimulates the contractions of
the uterine muscles during the final stage of
pregnancy to stimulate the expulsion of the fetus,
and it also stimulates the ejection, or let-down, of
milk from the mammary gland following pregnancy.
Thyroid Gland, endocrine gland found in almost all
vertebrate animals and so called because it is located in
front of and on each side of the thyroid cartilage of the
larynx.
Thyroxine, also tetraiodothyronine (T4)
Triiodothyronine (T3)
Their function is to increase the cellular rate of carbohydrate
metabolism and of protein synthesis and breakdown.
The adrenal medulla, composed of chromaffin
cells, secretes the hormone epinephrine, also
called adrenaline, in response to stimulation of
the sympathetic nervous system at times of
stress.
The medulla also secretes the hormone
norepinephrine, which plays a role in
maintaining normal blood circulation.
The hormones of the medulla are called
catecholamines. Unlike the adrenal cortex, the
medulla can be removed without endangering
the life of an individual.
The adrenal outer layer, or
cortex, secretes about 30 steroid
hormones, but only a few are
secreted in significant amounts.
Aldosterone, one of the most
important hormones, regulates
the balance of salt and water in
the body.
Cortisone and hydrocortisone
are necessary to regulate fat,
carbohydrate, and protein
metabolism.
Adrenal sex steroids have a
minor influence on the
reproductive system.
The parathyroid glands
secrete a hormone known as
parathormone, which controls
the concentration of calcium
(calcium ion) and phosphorus
(phosphate) in the blood.
Calcium and phosphorus
normally have a relationship
to each other that the body
keeps fairly constant.
Parathyroid hormone acts to
increase the excretion of
phosphorus by the kidneys
(which tends to lower blood
phosphorus levels) and to
increase the rate of resorption
of calcium from bone (which
tends to raise the level of
blood calcium).
The pancreas has both an exocrine and an endocrine secretion.
The exocrine secretion is made up of a number of enzymes that
are discharged into the intestine to aid in digestion.
The endocrine secretion, insulin, is important in the metabolism
of sugar in the body.
Insulin is produced in small groups of especially modified
glandular cells in the pancreas; these cell groups are known as
the islets of Langerhans. The failure of these cells to secrete
sufficient amounts of insulin causes diabetes ( Diabetes
Mellitus).
Glucagon, a hormone that raises glucose levels in the blood
when the body needs extra energy, is made in the pancreas but
also in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract.
The gonads, secrete sex hormones in response to stimulation from the
pituitary gland.
The ovaries secrete sex
hormones, including
estrogen and
progesterone, which
control development of
the reproductive organs,
stimulate the appearance
of female secondary sex
characteristics, and
regulate menstruation
and pregnancy.
Progesterone is also a
steroid. Its important role
is in the menstrual cycle
and pregnancy
Estrogens are steroids. They are primarily responsible for the
conversion of girls into sexually-mature women.
– development of breasts
– further development of the uterus and vagina
– broadening of the pelvis
– growth of pubic and axillary hair
– increase in adipose (fat) tissue
participate in the monthly preparation of the body for a possible
pregnancy
participate in pregnancy if it occurs
Estrogens also have non-reproductive effects.
They antagonize the effects of the parathyroid hormone, minimizing
the loss of calcium from bones and thus helping to keep bones strong.
They promote blood clotting.
The male gonads, the testes, produce sperm
and also secrete a number of male sex hormones, or
androgens.
The androgens, the most important of which is
testosterone, regulate development of the reproductive
organs, stimulate male secondary sex characteristics,
and stimulate muscle growth.
Cells that respond to
Testosterone are found all over
the body.
Testosterone produces a number
of SECONDARY SEX
CHARACTERISTICS that
appear in males at puberty
Voice Deepens
Beard Grows
Body Hair
FSH and Testosterone stimulate
the development of sperm. 
When large numbers of sperm
have been produced in the
Testes, the development process
of Puberty is completed
THE REPRODUCTIVE
SYSTEM IS NOW
FUNCTIONAL
The Pineal Gland is about the size of a pea, and
is in the center of the brain in a tiny cave behind and
above the pituitary gland which lies a little behind the
root of the nose. It is located directly behind the eyes,
attached to the third ventricle.
The true function of this mysterious gland has long
been contemplated by philosophers and Spiritual
Adepts. Ancient Greeks believed the pineal gland to be
our connection to the Realms of Thought. Descartes
called it the Seat of the Soul.
This gland is activated by Light,
and it controls the various
biorhythms of the body.
It works in harmony with the
hypothalamus gland which
directs the body's thirst, hunger,
sexual desire and the biological
clock that determines our aging
process.
When the pineal gland awakens
one feels a pressure at the base
of the brain.
This pressure will often be
experienced when connecting to
higher frequency.
A head injury can also activate
the Third Eye - Pineal Gland.
The thymus gland
increases in weight in the first two
years of life, and from then until
puberty it grows slowly to a
weight of about 43 g (about 1.5
oz).
After puberty, it shrinks gradually
and the lymphatic tissue of the
thymus gland is replaced by fat.
the thymus gland plays an
important role in the development
of immune responsiveness in
early life
It is a site of formation of
lymphocytes and a site of
antibody production.