HOW ARE

ENDOCRINE
GLANDS DESIGNED
TO PERFORM THEIR
FUNCTIONS?
• Certain glands in the body release
their secretions directly into the
bloodstream instead of through a
duct. Hence, they are called ductless
or endocrine glands. The term
endocrine was derived from the Greek
word endo meaning within and crinis
meaning secrete.
• The secretion of the endocrine glands are
called hormones. They are special protein
substances which are present in small
quantities in the body. They bring about
changes in cells or tissues which are
referred to as their “targets”. The effect
of a hormone may be an increased
activity of the target cells; it may also be
just maintenance of the cell.
ENDOCRINE GLANDS AND THEIR
SECRETIONS
• PINEAL BODY (at the middle area of the brain) – Melatonin helps
regulate daily sleep-wake cycle or seasonal rhythms associated
with existing light condition.
• HYPOTHALAMUS (at the lower central area of the brain) –
Releasing and inhibiting hormones that affect the functions of
the anterior pituitary gland.
• Oxytocin and vasopressin – transported to the posterior
pituitary for temporary storage.
• PITUITARY GLAD ( Just beneath the hypothalamus) –
known as “ the master gland” because it secretes quite a
number of hormones that influence many other glands.
• ANTERIOR LOBE –
• Somatotropin – a growth hormone that metabolic
functions.
• Thyroid-stimulating hormone – regulates activity of the
thyroid gland.
• Follicles-stimulating hormone – stimulates gamete
formation: egg cells in the ovary and sperm cells in the
testes.
• Adrenocorticotropic hormone- stimulates the adrenal
cortex to secrete its own hormone.
MIDDLE LOBE

• Melanocyte – stimulating – hormone –

is a stimulating hormone that
enhances production of melanin
pigment.
POSTERIOR LOBE
• Releases hormones secreted by the
hypothalamus:
Oxytocin – regulates uterine contraction during
childbirth
Vasopressin – antidiuretic hormone, prevents
water loss from the body.
THYROID
• Thyroxin and triiodothyronine – work together to
regulate the body’s mental and physical growth.
Calcitonin – decreases blood calcium level
PARATHYROID
(4 STRUCTURES WRAPPED AROUND THE
THYROID)
Parathormone – controls calcium level
within the bones and in the blood.
ADRENAL GLANDS (TOP OF THE
KIDNEY)

• Glucocorticoids – their functions include breakdown of

protein and increase of blood sugar.
• Mineral corticoids – help regulate concentration of
minerals such as sodium, calcium, and water balance in
the food.
ADRENAL CORTEX (OUTER PART)
• Androgens such as testerone – influence the development
of male secondary sex characteristics.
ADRENAL MEDULLA (INNER PART)
• Adrenaline or epinephrine and noradrenaline or
norepinephrine – both help to trigger physiological
changes to improve the “fight-or-flight” response to
stress or emergencies
PANCREAS (ISLETS OF LANGERHANS)

• Insulin – secreted by beta cells, lower blood sugar level

• Glucagon – produced by alpha cells, raises blood sugar
level
TESTES (IN THE SCROTUM)

• Androgen testerone – controls growth and

development of male sex organ and secondary sex
characteristics.
 OVARIES (IN THE PELVIS ABOVE THE
UTERUS)
• Progesterone and estrogen – stimulate
growth of uterine lining
• Estrogen – also controls development of
female secondary sex characteristics
FUNCTIONS OF THE ENDOCRINE
SYSTEM
• The endocrine system controls and regulates
body processes chemically through its hormonal
secretions. These body processes which are
under the chemical control of the endocrine gland
system include metabolic functions, growth and
development reproduction, immunity, and
homeostasis. How does the endocrine system
carry out these function?
• WHY IS ADRENALINE KNOWN AS “EMERGENCY
HORMONE”?
• During an emergency, a fire for instance,
adrenaline is released by the adrenal gland
causing many body changes which enable a
person to cope with the emergency conditions.
These physiological changes include increased
rate of heartbeat, release of blood sugar from the
liver, and dilation of arteries of the heart, liver,
brain and muscles causing a surge of blood sugar
and oxygen supply to these organs. As a result, a
person becomes unusually strong during an
emergency.
CARE OF THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
• The endocrine gland system and their hormonal secretions
influence the overall wellness of our body functions. The
delicate balance on which our endocrine system operates
requires its utmost care. Following are some basic
guidelines in the proper care of our endocrine system.

• A. Eat a healthy, nutritious balanced diet. Take more foods

that are rich in vitamins, calcium, and iodine to help keep
hormones at proper level. Including cruciferous vegetables
like cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower in your diet helps
regulate and detoxify endocrine glands. Avoid overeating
and fat-rich foods that tend to inhibit the functioning of the
endocrine glands
• B. Get enough sleep. An adult individual needs at
lest eight hours of sleep daily to function properly.
While the body is at rest during sleep, the
endocrine system secrets hormones and the body
tissues undergo the repair process.

• C. Do regular exercise. Engage in physical fitness

program. Inactivity and overeating usually go
together; people with sedentary lifestyle are prone
to obesity that retards the influence of insulin and
likely leads to the onset of diabetes. Maintaining a
healthy weight will greatly diminish the risk of
developing this endocrine diseases.
• D. Reduce stress. Learn to relax and slow down
activities . Too much stress can cause disorders.
such conditions may ultimately result in the failure
or malfunction of endocrine organs.

• E. Be aware of your family history. Take preventive

measures if diabetes or malfunctioning of the
thyroid gland (hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism)
run in your family, seek medical attention the
earliest time possible. Quite often, the body has
already been compromised by the time a patient
seeks medical treatment.