The Endocrine System

WHAT IS THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM?

What is it? The endocrine system (ES) regulates long term changes in the body such as growth and development. It also controls many of your body’s daily activities and influences almost every cell, organ, and function of our bodies. It regulates mood, growth and development, tissue function, metabolism, and sexual function, and reproductive processes.

Endocrine Glands Gland - a group of cells that produces and secretes, or gives off, chemicals. Your ES is made up of a group of organs, called endocrine glands. An endocrine gland produces and releases chemical substances that signal changes in other parts of the body.

Hormones A chemical substance produced by an endocrine gland Chemical messengers Each hormone has a specific function and specific “targets” in the body Many different hormones move through the bloodstream, but each type of hormone is designed to affect only certain cells.

FUNCTIONS OF ENDOCRINE GLANDS

Functions Each of your endocrine glands plays a specific, important role in your body Hypothalamus Pituitary gland Thyroid gland Parathyroid gland Thymus glands Adrenal glands Pancreas Reproductive glands (M&F)

Hypothalamus Located in the lower center part of the brain Links the nervous and endocrine systems Controls many of the pituitary gland functions

Pituitary Gland “Master gland” Located at the base of the brain, below the hypothalamus It makes hormones that control several other endocrine glands

Thyroid Located in the front part of the lower neck Produces the thyroid hormones thyroxin, which controls the rate at which we burn food Controls calcium levels in the blood stream

Parathyroid Glands Attached to the thyroid Four glands They release parathyroid hormone, which regulates the level of calcium in the blood with the help of calcitonin, which is produced in the thyroid

Adrenal Glands Two glands, located on the top of each kidney, triangular in shape Produces epinephrine, also called adrenaline, which increases blood pressure and heart rate when the body experiences stress

Pancreas Part of the digestive system Produces insulin and glucagon – work together to maintain blood sugar levels

Reproductive Glands Gonads – main source of sex hormones Male gonads – testes – Testosterone – male sex hormone Female gonads – ovaries – Estrogen – female sex hormone Puberty – the period of sexual development during which a person becomes sexually mature and is physically able to reproduce

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