The Endocrine System

Presentation: Biljana Vukčević Lacković

In general, what does the endocrine system do?
It coordinates and regulates the functions of the
body’s other systems

Are the reactions of this system quick?

No, it is slower acting than the nervous system.

What does the endocrine system specifically do

on the level of the whole body?
The endocrine system helps maintain a relatively
constant internal environment; it also helps
maintain the proper functioning of male and
female reproductive organs.

What does the endocrine system consist of?

The endocrine system consists of endocrine
glands. that secrete chemicals, called hormones.
Why are endocrine glands called “endocrine or ductless”?
They release their product directly to the bloodstream to
act on other parts of the body and they, therefore, neither
need nor have ducts.

What are hormones and how do they operate? What are

target organs?
Chemicals secreted by endocrine glands, called hormones
serve as messengers between body parts.
They enter the bloodstream as it flows through the glands
and are circulated throughout the body where they control
its many functions by bringing about effects in distant
organs, called target organs. Many hormones are now
known to be neurotransmitters as well.

Where are the larger masses of endocrine tissue and where

are the smaller masses of endocrine tissue located?
The larger masses of endocrine tissue occur in the following
endocrine glands: pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal,
pancreas, pineal, ovaries, and testes. Smaller masses of
hormone-producing tissues occur in other organs such as
the kidneys, heart, and placenta, and in the digestive tract.
What is the structure of the pituitary gland? Do you know where it is
located? What is another name for it?
The pituitary gland, a.k.a. the hypophysis is composed of two lobes,
anterior and posterior. It is located below the brain.

How many hormones does this gland produce and what are their
target organs?
There are seven pituitary hormones, four of which act on target
endocrine glands while the other three act primarily on target
tissues.

What does the growth hormone do and where exactly is it

produced?
The growth hormone (GH) regulates growth of the organism and
influences the carbohydrate metabolism. It is produced by the
anterior pituitary gland.

What does the antidiuretic hormone do and where is it produced

exactly?
ADH, regulates the reabsorption of water by the kidney tubules. It is
produced by the posterior pituitary gland.
Where is the thyroid gland located?
The thyroid gland lies in the front part of the throat along the
windpipe.

Which hormones does this gland secrete and what do these

hormones regulate?
The thyroid gland secretes thyroxine, which controls growth and the
rate at which energy is produced (metabolic rate). It also secretes
calcitonin, which plays a part in the regulation of calcium
metabolism.

Which hormone controls the thyroid gland itself and where is it

produced?
The thyroid gland is controlled by the thyrotropic hormone secreted
by the hypophysis.

Which hormone is secreted by the parathyroids and what does it

regulate?
The parathyroid glands secrete the parathyroid hormone (PTH),
which acts on renal function and vitamin D metabolism. It also
regulates the calcium and phosphorus metabolism by its action on
bone.

What controls the activity of the parathyroids themselves?

The level of serum calcium controls the activity of the parathyroids.
Where are the adrenal glands located?
The adrenal glands (adrenals) are glands sitting on top of each
kidney.

Do they control the function of the kidneys?

No, they do not.

What is their structure?

Each adrenal consists of an inner, adrenal medulla and outer,
adrenal cortex.

What is adrenaline? When and where is it secreted and how does

this mechanism work?
When the brain sends out the ‘’fight or flight’’ signal, the
sympathetic nervous system is activated, and the adrenals respond
to the signal by pouring adrenaline, produced in the medulla, into
the blood.

Which other hormones do the adrenal glands secrete and what do

these hormones do?
The adrenals are also responsible for producing steroid hormones
such as cortisol secreted by the cortex, which help stabilize the
body’s stress response, and other hormones that help the kidneys
regulate salt and water balance.
Where is the pancreas located? What does it look like? What does racemose
mean?
The pancreas is a large racemose gland lying in the bend of the duodenum.
Racemose means having the form of a flower cluster.

What are the two hormones secreted by the pancreas and what do they do?
These are: the hypoglycemic hormone, insulin, and the hyperglycemic hormone,
glucagon. Insulin regulates the carbohydrate metabolism by increasing the rate of
utilization, while glucagon enhances the conversion of liver glycogen to glucose.

What controls the secretion of insulin?

The level of blood sugar controls the secretion of insulin.

What do you think will happen if the secretion of hormones in the pancreas is not
well regulated?
Diabetes or other disorders, conditions and states, caused by hyper or, in some
cases, hypoglycemia.

What is the pineal gland, where is it located , what is its shape and what does it
secrete? What does the hormone secreted by this gland regulate.
The pineal gland is a tiny, cone-shaped structure within the brain, just below the
back part of the corpus callosum. Its sole function appears to be the secretion of
the hormone melatonin which is believed to regulate the circadian rhythm.

What does circadian mean?

Related to the natural 24-hour cycle.
What are ovaries and which hormones do they secrete?
The ovaries are primary female sex organs which secrete estrogens and
progesterone.

What o these hormones regulate?

They regulate sexual maturation, the control
of the menstrual cycle. They are in charge of the development of female
secondary characteristics at puberty (the breasts). They also regulate birth and
lactation in women.

What controls the function of the ovaries and the testes?

The ovaries and testes are regulated by gonadotropins.

What do the testes secrete and what do these hormones do?

The testes secrete testosterone and androsterone which promote the
development of secondary male characteristics.

What is the “hormone balance”?

Functional harmony of the body is possible only when the secretion of each
hormone is normal, i.e. a proper balance in hormone production, called the
‘’hormone balance’’, must be maintained, sometimes by the hormones acting on
each other, i.e. influencing the production or suppression of the other.