By Randi Orr & Abby Mowbray ENDOCRINE System By Randi Orr & Abby Mowbray

Major Functions of Endocrine System The major glands in the Endocrine System are the Hypothalamus, Pituitary, Thyroid, Parathyroid, Adrenals, Pineal body and the reproductive organs (ovaries and testes) The pancreas is also a part of the system, it has a role in the hormone production as well as in digestion.

What are hormones and what they do? Hormones are chemical messengers that travel throughout the body coordinating complex process growth, metabolism, and fertility. They can influence the function of the immune system, and even alter behavior. Before birth, they guide development of the brain and reproductive system.

Diagram

Hypothalamus A region of the forebrain below the thalamus that coordinates both the autonomic nervous system and the activity of the pituitary, controlling body temperature, thirst, hunger, and other homeostatic systems, and involved in sleep and emotional activity.

Pituitary Pituitary Gland is the major endocrine gland. A pea-sized body attached to the base of the brain, the pituitary is important in controlling growth and development and the functioning of the other endocrine glands.

Thymus The thymus gland, despite containing glandular tissue and producing several hormones, is much more closely associated with the immune system than with the endocrine system. The thymus serves a vital role in the training and development of T cells, an extremely important type of white blood cell.

Thyroid The Thyroid Gland is influenced by hormones produced by two other organs: The pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain, produces thyroid stimulating hormone. The hypothalamus, a small part of the brain above the pituitary, produces thyrotropin releasing hormone.

Parathyroid The parathyroid gland are four tiny glands (size of a grain of rice) and embedded in the surface of the thyroid gland, one pair on each side. They release parathyroid hormone, which plays a role in regulating calcium levels in the blood and bone metabolism.

Adrenals The Adrenals are located right above the kidneys and they are triangular shape. They are made up of two parts, the outer part is called Adrenals Cortex and the inner part is called the Adrenal Medulla. The outer part produces hormones called Corticosteroids which regulates the bodies metabolism, the balance of salt and water in the body, the immune system, and sexual function. The inner part of Adrenals medulla produces hormones call Catecholamine's (for example: adrenaline) These hormones help the body cope with physical and emotional by increasing the heart rate and blood pressure.

Pancreas The pancreas is an elongated organ located toward the back of the abdomen behind the stomach. The pancreas has digestive and hormonal functions. One part of the pancreas, exocrine pancreas, secretes digestive enzymes. The other part of the pancreas, the endocrine pancreas, secretes hormones called insulin and glucagon. These hormones regulate the level of glucose (which is sugar) in the blood.

Ovaries and Testes The ovaries are two main reproductive functions in the body. They produce eggs for fertilization they produce the reproductive estrogen and progesterone. The testes have two functions, to produce sperm and to produce hormones, particular testosterone. Sperm are produced in the seminiferous tubules of the testes.

2 Diseases associated with Endocrine System The most common disease in the U.S. is diabetes. Hypothyroidism is another disease that occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone to meet the body’s needs. Thyroid hormone can cause many of the body’s functions to slow or shut down completely.

Fun Facts The Endocrine system is closely related to the nervous system and together are called Nervoenderine System. The word endocrine breaks into “endo” meaning within, and “crine” meaning secrete. The pituitary gland, an organism in the endocrine system is considered the most important part of the endocrine system. It makes hormones that control several endocrine glands. The pineal gland, an organism in the endocrine system secretes melatonin which regulates sleep patterns. Almost every organ and cell in the body is affected by the endocrine system.

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