THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

Endocrine system guide

1.1 “Introduction”

1.2 “Endocrine glands”

1.3 “Glands”

1.4 “Types of hormones”

1.5."Main endocrine disorders"

Introduction to the endocrine system

The endocrine system, along with the nervous system, functions in the regulation of body activities. The nervous system acts through electrical impulses and neurotransmitters to cause muscle contraction and glandular secretion.

The endocrine system acts through chemical messengers called hormones that influence growth, development and metabolic activities.

1.2 Endocrine glands

Many glands make up the endocrine system. The hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and pineal gland are in your brain.

The thyroid and parathyroid glands are in your neck.
The thymus is between your lungs
The adrenals are on top of your kidneys
The pancreas is behind your stomach.
Your ovaries (if you're a woman) or testes (if you're a man) are in your pelvic region.

1.3 Glands

Hypothalamus gland

This organ connects your endocrine system with your nervous system. Its main job is to tell your pituitary gland to start or stop making hormones.

Pituitary gland

This is your endocrine system’s master gland. It uses information it gets from your brain to tell other glands in your body what to do.

Pineal gland

It makes a chemical called melatonin that helps your body get ready to go to sleep.

Thyroid gland

This gland makes thyroid hormone, which controls your metabolism.

Parathyroid

This is a set of four small glands behind your thyroid. They play a role in bone health. The glands control your levels of calcium and phosphorus.

Thymus

This gland makes white blood cells called T-lymphocytes that fight infection and are crucial as a child's immune system develops. The thymus starts to shrink after puberty.

Adrenal glands

Are small, triangular-shaped glands located on top of both kidneys. Adrenal glands produce hormones that help regulate your metabolism, immune system, blood pressure, response to stress and other essential functions, and it produces adrenaline.

Pancreas

This organ is part of both your digestive and endocrine systems. It makes digestive enzymes that break down food. It also makes the hormones insulin and glucagon. These ensure you have the right amount of sugar in your bloodstream and your cells.

Ovaries and Testes

In women, these organs make estrogen and progesterone. These hormones help develop breasts at puberty, regulate the menstrual cycle, and support a pregnancy.
In men, the testes make testosterone. It helps them grow facial and body hair at puberty. It also tells the penis to grow larger and plays a role in making sperm.

Hypothalamus and pituitary gland

The hypothalamus and pituitary gland are primary endocrine glands of the human body. Hypothalamus is a small area of the brain, which is located under the thalamus. And the pituitary gland is located just below the hypothalamus.

The hypothalamus works with the pituitary gland, which makes and sends other important hormones around the body.

Types of hormones

Hydrophobic: Hydrophobic compounds do not dissolve easily in water, and are usually nonpolar.

Steroid hormones
Cholesterol

Hydrophilic: Something defined as hydrophilic is actually attracted to water.

Amino acid derived
Peptides or glycoproteins

Diabetes

Is the most common endocrine disorder.
Is a chronic health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. Most of the food you eat is broken down into sugar (also called glucose) and released into your bloodstream.

Adrenal insufficiency

The adrenal gland releases too little of the hormone cortisol

and sometimes, aldosterone. Symptoms include fatigue, stomach upset, dehydration, and skin changes. Addison's disease is a type of adrenal insufficiency.

Cushing's disease

Overproduction of a pituitary gland hormone leads to an

overactive adrenal gland. A similar condition called Cushing's syndrome may occur in people, particularly children, who take high doses of corticosteroid medications.

Gigantism

If the pituitary gland

produces too much growth hormone, a child's bones and body parts may grow

abnormally fast. If growth hormone levels are too low, a child can stop growing in

height.

Hyperthyroidism

The thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, leading to weight loss, fast heart rate, sweating, and nervousness. The most common cause for

an overactive thyroid is an autoimmune disorder called Grave's disease.

Hypothyroidism

The thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone,

leading to fatigue, constipation, dry skin, and depression. The underactive gland can

cause slowed development in children. Some types of hypothyroidism are present at

birth.

Hypopituitarism

The pituitary gland releases little or no hormones. It may be caused by a number of different diseases. Women with this condition may stop getting their periods.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia I and II

These rare, genetic

conditions are passed down through families. They cause tumors of the parathyroid, adrenal, and thyroid glands, leading to overproduction of hormones.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Overproduction of androgens interfere with the development of eggs and their release from the female ovaries. PCOS is a leading cause of infertility.

Precocious puberty

Normally early puberty that occurs when glands tell the body to release sex hormones too soon in life.

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