Endocrine System

Endocrine Glands and Hormone Secretions

General Functions and Description

Comparison to Nervous System

Hypothalamus and Pituitary Gland

Hypothalamus

Pituitary Gland

Anterior Pituitary Gland

Posterior Pituitary Gland

Nervous System

Endocrine System

Coordinates, regulates, and controls body functions via hormones that are chemical messengers that travel through the circulatory system.

Anterior Pituitary Gland

Signals with neurotransmitters

Site of next action: From axon terminal to synapse

Innervates/controls all 3 types of muscle and glands

Acts quickly with short lasting effects

Acts slow with lasting effects (seconds to days)

Signals with hormones

Site of next action: target cells

Causes a response in target cells

True endocrine gland, produces and releases hormones when stimulated

An outrgrowth of brain; stores not make hormones

Secretes hormone to stimulate release/ inhibition of hormone of anterior pituitary

Synthesizes two hormones in axon terminals

Oxytocin (pitocin)

Vasopressin

stimulates contraction of uterus

(antidiuretic hormone) Controls the kidneys and their water preservation for the body

Thyroid Gland

Parathyroid Gland

Adrenal Glands

Growth hormone, stimulates growth of all cells and growth at the epiphyseal plates

Thyroid stimulating hormone, stimulates thyroid hormone release

Adrenocorticotropic hormone, stimulates the hormone release from cortex of adrenal glands

Gonadotropins, stimulate hormone production in testes and ovaries

Prolactin, stimulates milk synthesis

Follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormones are examples of gonadotropins

Thyroid hormone; when released, increases the rate of metabolism (conversion of nutrients to energy)

Calcitonin; when released decreases the activity of osteoclasts

Not directed by anything else. Independent. Located on posterior thyroid.

Measures blood calcium levels and increases blood calcium level when low

Zona glomerulosa

Zona fasciculata

Zona reticularis

Secretes glucocorticoids and androgens (which other tissues convert into estrogen and testosterone)

Secretes glucocorticoids to keep blood glucose levels normal and helps to deal with stress

Secretes mineralocorticoids make kidneys reabsorb water and sodium

Outer cortex has three zones that produces different hormones

True endocrine glands include the pineal gland, anterior pituitary gland, and the thyroid and the parathyroid glands

Pancreas

Testes

Has exocrine and endocrine function.

There are endocrine tissues and cells in testes/ovaries, heart, thymus, pancreas, GI tract, kidneys, and placenta

Specialized neurons in the adrenal medulla secrete (nor)epinephrine

Secrete testosterone

Ovaries

Secrete estrgoen and progesterone

Thymus

Secretes thymic hormones

Is above bronchi of lungs and is involved in the endocrine and the immune systems.

Causes the T lymphocytes to become immunocompetent, so they produce an immune response to pathogens

Endocrine function via islet cells

Alpha cells

Beta cells

Secrete glucagon, which when released increases the blood glucose level

Secrete insulin, which when released decreases the blood glucose level