ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

(Lab Notes)
PINEAL GLAND: Located in the middle part of the brain (deep/area called epithalamus)
HORMONES:
 Melatonin
 Regulates sleep pattern
 Regulates female hormone (fertility, menstrual cycle, protection from
cardiovascular disease)

HYPOTHALAMUS: Located at the base of the brain near pituitary gland

HORMONES:
ANTERIOR PART:
 Corticotropin
 Involved in the body’s response to physical and emotional stress
 Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone (TRH)
 Stimulates the pure Pituitary Gland to produce Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
 Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GNRH)
 Important in the reproductive system for the release of Follicle Stimulating Hormone
and Luteinizing Hormone, and Growth Hormone
 Oxytocin
 Importan in child birth and lactating women
 Vasopressin
 Regulates water level in body
 Somatostatin
 Responsible for the Growth Hormone
MIDDLE PART:
 Growth Hormone (GHRH)
 Development of the body

PITUITARY GLAND (Master Gland): Found at the base of the brain

HORMONES:
ANTERIOR PART:
 Prolactin
 Responsible for the mammary gland to produce milk
 Growth Hormone (GHRH)
 Regulates the physical development of the body
 Adrenocotricotropin (ACTH)
 Stimulates the adrenal glads to produce cortisol and other hormones
 Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
 Stimulates the thyroid gland to produce Thyroxine and Triiodothyronine
 Luteinizing Hormone
 Stimulates testes to produce sperm; ovaries to produce egg
 Follicle Stimulating Hormone
 Stimulates testes to produce sperm; ovaries to produce egg
 POSTERIOR PART:
 Oxytocin
 Important in child birth and lactating women
 Vasopressin
 Regulates water level in body

THYROID GLAND: Neck

HORMONES:
 Triiodothyronine (T3)
 Metabolism
 Thyroxine (T4)
 Metabolism

PARATHYROID GLAND: Four tiny glands located in the neck

HORMONES:
 Parathyroid hormone
 Responsible for breakdown of Calcium

THYMUS: Behind sternum and between the lungs

HORMONES:
 Thymosin
 Development of the T-lymphocytes
 Immunity

ADRENAL GLANDS: Located on top of both kidneys

HORMONES:
 Adrenaline
 “Fight or Flight” response
 Capable of increasing heart rate and blood pressure
 Aldosterone
 Regulates blood pressure, particularly electrolytes in the body (Sodium and
Potassium level)
 Cortisol
 Helps the body use fats, carbohydrates and proteins in the body
 Regulates blood pressure
 Increase blood sugar
 Decrease bone formation
 Suppress inflammation
PANCREAS: Lies alongside stomach and the small bowel
HORMONES:
 Insulin
 Lowers blood sugar level
 Glucagon
 Increases blood sugar level

OVARIES: Opposite ends of the pelvic wall on either sides of uterus, each attached to the
fimbriae
HORMONES:
 Estrogen
 Instrumental in breast development and fat distribution
 Development of reproductive organs
 Progesterone
 Prepares uterus for menstruation

TESTES: Within scrotum, which is the loose pouched skin that hangs outside the body,
behind the penis
HORMONES:
 Testosterone
 Necessary for the physical development of males
 Promotes libido, muscle strength, and bone density
MALE REPRODUCLIVE SYSTEM