Endocrine System

Endocrine System The endocrine system is instrumental in regulating mood , growth, and development, tissue function, metabolism, as well as sexual function and reproductive processes The endocrine and nervous system must work together in order for the body to function properly ** The endocrine system is in charge of bodily processes that happen slowly unlike the nervous system

Endocrine System Hormones are chemical regulators that control bodily processes such as emotions , growth and sexuality ** Hormones travel through the blood stream Glands are units in the body that hold and release these hormones The Endocrine system is the system that holds all these glands

Pituitary Gland This is called the master gland of the body This is controlled by the hypothalamus in the brain The gland has two jobs Send messages that start all other glands To determine how tall or short someone will be influences our emotions – secretes endorphins – Seasonal affective disorders ( SAD)

Pituitary Gland The pituitary gland makes the growth hormone Sometimes the action is delayed , sometimes it starts too soon The tallest known person in history is 8 feet 11 inches… he died at 22 The shortest person was 23.3 inches… she died at 19

Thyroid Gland Controls our metabolism Metabolism is the speed in which the body operates People with overactive thyroids are not able to sit still While people with slow thyroids tend to be sluggish

Parathyroids Regulates the amount of calcium in the blood ( calcitonin) produced by the thyroid

Adrenal Gland Located in the right and left side of the body , above the naval and the back This is the gland the emits adrenaline, that activates your body for emergencies

Gonads These are known as the sex glands They make sperm and eggs Male sex hormone is androgen Female sex hormone is estrogen

Pineal Gland Located in the middle of the brain, secretes melatonin, helps regulate sleep

Pancreas Produces digestive enzymes Produces insulin and glucagon

Problems with the Endocrine System Adrenal insufficiency Type I diabetes ( pancreas fails to produce enough insulin ( juvenile diabetes) Type II diabetes ( can’t produce normal amounts of insulin ( children who are overweight)

Problems with Endocrine System Growth hormone problems ( pituitary gland) Hyperthyroidism ( thyroid hormones are very high in blood streams ( Grave’s Disease – immune system) Hypothyroidism ( thyroid hormone levels are low in the blood ( leads to weight gain)