Endocrine: Nervous:

   ~ development, longer, internal adjustments             ~  response to environment

   ~ Slower, longer duration     ~ quick , short-lived,

   ~ Chemical signals     ~ Electrical impulses

Hormones are made in one part of the body, and spread to another to be used for various functions like development and maturation, and affect either broadly like a growth hormone, or very directly like glucagon. There are two types of hormones, protein and steroid. 

TSH - It is produced by the pituitary gland and sent to the thyroid. It tells the thyroid to release T₃ and T₄ and regulates metabolism.

ACTH - it is produced by the pituitary gland and sent to the adrenal cortex. It stimulates the release of cortisol and other glucocorticoids.

Growth hormone - It is produced in the pituitary gland and sent to bones, muscles and all tissues. It stimulates growth, cell reproduction and metabolism.

FSH - It is produced in the pituitary gland and sent to the reproductive organs. It helps with follicle development and estrogen production in women and sperm production in men.

LH - It is produced in the pituitary glands and is sent to the reproductive organs. It is used to trigger and produce progesterone and and ovulation in women and testosterone in men.

Prolactin - It is produced in the pituitary gland and sent to the mammary glands. It stimulates breast development and milk production. (only in women)

Oxytocin - It is produced in the pituitary gland and sent to the uterus and mammary glands. It triggers uterine contractions in labor and milk ejection during breastfeeding. (only in women)

Endorphins - It is produced in the hypothalamus (pit. gland) and is sent to the nervous system. It assists in pain relief, mood improvement and stress relief.

ADH - It is produced in the pituitary gland and sent to the kidneys. It promotes water reabsorption, reduces urine output, and regulates blood pressure.

Thyroxine - It is produced in the thyroid gland and is sent to the muscles. It helps in metabolism muscle growth, energy and brain function.

Calcitonin - It is produced in the thyroid gland and is sent to the blood, intestines and bones. It lowers calcium levels by storing them in the bones.

Parathormone - It is produced in the parathyroid gland and is sent to the bones, kidneys and intestines. It raises calcium by releasing the calcium from the bones and increasing absorption.

Glucagon - It is produced in the pancreas and is sent to the liver. It raises blood sugar

Insulin - It is produced in the beta cells in the pancreas and is sent to most cells in the body. It lowers blood sugar.

Epinephrine and norepinephrine (adrenaline) - It is produced in the adrenal medulla and is sent to the heart, liver, lungs and muscles. It is what triggers the fight-or-flight reaction.

Aldosterone - It is produced in the adrenal gland and is sent to the kidneys and blood. It is a blood pressure regulator.

Cortisol - It is produced in the adrenal gland and is sent to most cells in the body. It is used to manage stress.

Melatonin - It is produced in the pineal gland and is sent to the hypothalamus in the brain. It regulates the sleep cycle. 

Start: Pituitary Gland

• located in the brain

• links the nervous system to hormones

• stimulates growth, and secretion of hormones from other glands

Pancreas 

• located behind stomach

• regulates blood glucose levels

• determines fate of glycogen

Adrenal Gland

• located on top of kidneys

• initiates stress responses

• increases heart rate, blood pressure and metabolic rate

• dilates blood vessels

• mobilizes fat and raises blood sugar levels

Thyroid Gland

• located on front of the neck

• stimulates metabolic rate

• essential to normal growth and development 

Parathyroid Gland

• four small glands located on the back of the thyroid 

• increases blood calcium level

• stimulates calcium reabsorption and activates vitamin D

Pineal Gland

• located in brain

• control biorhythms in some animals

• activates puberty in humans

Hypothalamus 

• major area where nervous and endocrine systems interact

Testosterone

• in males, stimulates development of secondary sex characteristics

• stimulates growth spurt at puberty

• stimulates spermatogenesis

Estrogen 

• in females, stimulates development of secondary sex characteristics

• stimulates growth of sex organs at puberty

• prompts monthly preparation of uterus for pregnancy

Ovary

• Production of female gametes (ova)

• Secretion of hormones - mainly estrogen and progesterone

Testis

•  Production of male gametes (sperm)

• Secretion of male sex hormone (testosterone)