ENDOCRINE GLANDS

Hypothalamus
Paraventricular nucleus produces oxytocin
Supraoptic nucleus produces ADH (antidiuretic hormone)
MAJOR GLANDS
1. Pituitary gland
Anterior (Adenohypophysis)
2 Broad groups of cells:
Chromophils
Acidophils
o Somatotrophs secretes somatotropin
o Lactotrophs secretes prolactin
Basophils
o Corticotrophs secretes ACTH & LPH (lipotropin)
o Gonadotrophs secretes FSH & LH
o Thyrotrophs secretes thyrotopin
Chromophobes
Posterior (Neurohypophysis)
ANTERIOR PITUITARY
HORMONES

CELL TYPE

FUNCTION

Somatotrop
in

Somatotrophs

Growth

Prolactin

Lactotrophs

Milk secretion

FSH

Gonadotrophs
LH

Thyrotropin
Thyrotrophs

Ovarian follicle
dvlpmnt;
estrogen
secretion(women)
Spermatogenesi
s (men)
Ovarian follicle
maturation;
progesterone
secretion
(women)
Interstitial cell
androgen
secretion (men)
Thyroid hormone
synthesis

TARGET
ORGANS
Muscles,
bones,
tissues

REGULATORY
HYPOTHALA
MIC
HORMONES

FUNCTIONS

GHRH

Stimulates

Somatostatin

Inhibits

Mammary
glands

Dopamine

inhibits

Gonads
(ovaries
& testes)

GnRH

stimulates

Thyroid

TSH

stimulates

HISTOLOGY | DBRKDS

ENDOCRINE GLANDS

ACTH
Lipotropin
(LPH)

Corticotrophs

Adrenal cortex
hormone
synthesis

Adrenal
gland

CRH

stimulates

Regulates lipid
metabolism

POSTERIOR PITUITARY
HORMONES

CELL TYPE

FUNCTION

TARGET ORGANS

Supraoptic nucleus

Permeability of renal
collecting ducts

kidney

ADH

Oxytocin

Paraventricular
nucleus

Contraction of
mammary gland and
uterus

Mammary gland &

uterus

CELL TYPE

FUNCTION

LOCATION

Mineralocorticotrophs

Regulates salt
balance
(kidney)

Zona Glomerulosa

2. Adrenal Gland
HORMONES
Cortex
Aldosterone

Cortisol

Glucocorticotrophs

Carbohydrate
metabolism
(liver)

Zona fasciculata

Cells of Zona
reticularis

Precursor of
progesterone &
estrogen
(gonads)

Zona reticularis

Weak androgens
Medulla
Epinephrine
Norepinephrine

heart rate;
constricts vessels
Chromaffin cells
glucose release;
dilates vessels

Blood vessels &

heart

3. Pancreatic islets (ISLETS OF LANGERHANS)

HORMONES

CELL TYPE

FUNCTION

LOCATION

HISTOLOGY | DBRKDS

ENDOCRINE GLANDS

Glucagon

Alpha cells

blood glucose
levels

periphery

Beta cells

blood glucose
levels

center

Delta cells

Inhibits release of
glucagon, insulin,
somatotropin &
TSH

center

Insulin

Somatostatin

Pancreatic hormones
PP cells

Inhibits secretion
of pancreatic
enzymes & HCO3-

periphery

4. Thyroid Gland
TARGET ORGANS

HORMONES

CELL TYPE

FUNCTION

Thyroid hormones
T3: Tri-iodothyronine
T4: Thyroxine
Tetra-iodothyronine

Follicular cells
or thryocytes

metabolic rate

Parafollicular
cells or C cells

blood Ca2+ levels

Inhibits osteoclast
activity

Calcitonin

bones

5. Parathyroid Gland

HORMONES

CELL TYPE

FUNCTION

PTH
(Parathyroid hormone)

Chief cells

blood Ca2+ levels

Stimulates osteoclast
acitivity

HORMONES

CELL TYPE

FUNCTION

Melatonin

Pinealocytes

Regulates circadian
rhythms

6. Pineal Gland

HISTOLOGY | DBRKDS

ENDOCRINE GLANDS

HISTOLOGY | DBRKDS