The Endocrine System

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Introduction
 The endocrine system includes the organs of the
body that secrete hormones directly into body fluids
such as blood
 Regulates chemical reaction in cells and therefore control
functions of the organs, tissues, and other cells
bloodstream

to
secrete into
Glands
hormones
target tissues
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Hormones
 Endocrine glands
 Ductless
 Release hormones
 Directly into target tissues
 Into bloodstream to be carried to target tissues

 Hormones – chemicals secreted by a cell that

affect the functions of other cells

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Hormones (cont.)
 Many are derived from steroids that easily
cross the cell membrane
 Examples of steroid hormones
 Estrogen
 Progesterone
 Testosterone
 Cortisol
hormones

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Negative and Positive

Feedback Loops
 Control hormone levels
 Negative feedback loop
 Hormone release stops in response to decrease in
stimulus
 A person becomes dehydrated
 Brain signals the release of Antidiuretic Hormone
(ADH)
 Kidneys retain water.
 Kidneys excrete more urine until the concentration of
fluids returns to normal.

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Negative and Positive

Feedback Loops (cont.)
 Positive feedback loop
 As long as stimulus is present, action of hormone
continues
 Infant nursing at mother’s breast  stimulates
hypothalamus  stimulates posterior pituitary
 Oxytocin released  stimulates milk production and
ejection from mammary glands
 Milk release continues as long as infant continues to
nurse

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Hypothalamus
 Hormones
 Oxytocin – Stimulates contractions of uterus
during labor
 Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) – stimulates
conservation of water during dehydration.

 Hormones transported to the posterior

pituitary for storage
 Directs posterior pituitary to release hormones
Glands

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Pituitary Gland
 Controlled by the hypothalamus
 Located at the base of the brain
 Anterior lobe secretes many hormones, including:
 Growth hormone (GH) – controls cellular
reproduction and regulates use of carbs and fats.
 Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) – stimulates the
metabolism of ALL tissues in the body.
 Folicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) – production of
reproductive cells
 Prolactin (PRL) – production of milk in mammals
Glands

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Pituitary Gland (cont.)

Oxytocin
Posterior Females: causes
Lobe contraction of the
uterus and ejection of
breast milk
Males: stimulates
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) contraction of the
prostate and vas
Stimulates the kidneys to
deferens during
conserve water
sexual arousal

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Thyroid Gland and

Parathyroid Glands
Thyroid Gland
 Located below the larynx (houses vocal cords)
 Divided into follicles that store some of the hormones

Major hormones

T3 T4
Stimulate protein synthesis and Lowers blood calcium levels
increase cellular energy by activating osteoblasts that
production build new bone tissue Glands

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Thyroid Gland and

Parathyroid Glands (cont.)
 Parathyroid glands
 Four located on the posterior surface of the
thyroid gland

 Secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH)

 Raises blood calcium levels through activation of
osetoclasts (dissolve bone)
 As bone dissolves, calcium levels in blood increase

Glands

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Adrenal Glands
 Located on top of each kidney
 Divided into the adrenal medulla and adrenal cortex
 Adrenal medulla
 Central portion
 Hormones
 Epinephrine – Adrenaline, response to stress

 Norepinephrine – works with epinephrine during

stress events to bring the body back to homeostasis

Glands

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Pancreas
 Located behind the
stomach
 Both exocrine gland and
endocrine gland
 Exocrine – secretes
digestive enzymes into a
duct leading to the small
intestine
 Endocrine – secretes
hormones into Glands
bloodstream
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Insulin
Protein hormone secreted by the pancreas that stimulates
cells to take up glucose
 Glucose – primary source of cellular energy
 Gives the brain energy for psychological
processes.
 Body converts the glucose into glycogen for long
term storage of energy.
What happens after you eat a large meal?
 Pancreas secretes insulin, which results in a decrease
in blood levels of glucose.

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What is Diabetes?
Diabetes insipidus Kidneys fail to reabsorb water, resulting in
excessive urination; hyposecretion of ADH

Diabetes mellitus Chronic disease characterized by elevated

blood glucose levels
Type I Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus; usually develops
in childhood
Type II Noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus; primarily in
adults but increased incidence in teens
Gestational Occurs during pregnancy; usually temporary

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Other Hormone-Producing Organs

 Pineal body
 Small gland in the center of the brain
 Located between cerebral hemispheres
 Known by some cultures/religions as the “third
eye”.
 Melatonin
 Regulates circadian rhythms
 May play a role in onset of puberty
Glands

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Other Hormone-Producing
Organs (cont.)
 The gonads - a
 Ovaries (female)
 Estrogen – stimulates secondary sex characteristics (breasts, hips,
etc.)
 Progesterone – controls menstrual cycles and supports pregnancy.
 Both of these hormones are responsible for menstruation!
 Testes (male)
 Testosterone – responsible for development of primary and
secondary sex characteristics (primary – reproductive organs;
secondary – body hair, lower voice, etc.)

Glands

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The Stress Response

 Stressor
 Any stimulus that
produces stress
 Types
 Physical factors
 Psychological
factors
 Positive stimuli

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The Stress Response (cont.)

 Physiologic response to stress caused by
hormone release
 Hypothalamus acts as a connector from the
nervous system to the endocrine system.
 Hypothalamus senses the “stress” stimulus
 The adrenal gland secretes epinephrine and
norepinephrine
 The “fight or “flight” response is generated
 The body returns to homeostasis
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