Anatomy and Physiology of the Endocrine System
The Endocrine System
Controls many body functions
~exerts control by releasing special chemical substances into the blood called hormones
~Hormones affect other endocrine glands or body systems
Derives its name from the fact that various glands release hormones directly into the blood, which in turn transports the hormones to target tissues via ducts.
Exocrine glands-transport their hormones to target tissues via ducts.
Endocrine glands- secrete hormones into the bloodstream
The Endocrine System
Consists of several glands located in various parts of the body
~Pituitary gland- a small gland located on a stalk hanging from the base of the brain- AKA
~"The Master Gland"
-Primary function is to control other glands
-Produces many hormones
-Secretion is controlled by the hypothalamus in the base of the brain
The Pituitary Gland is divided into 2 areas, which differ
~structurally and functionally
~each area has separate types of hormone production
The 2 segments are:
~Posterior Pituitary
-produces oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
~Anterior Pituitary
-produces thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
-growth hormone (GH)
-adrenocorticotropin (ACTH)
-follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
~luteinizing hormone (LH)
~prolactin
detailed info over pituitary gland
~Posterior Pituitary
-Oxytocin (the natural form of pitocin)
*stimulates gravid uterus
*causes "let down" of milk from the breast
-ADH (vasopressin) causes the kidney to retain water
The Endocrine System
Anterior Pituitary
~Primarily regulates other endocrine glands
~TSH stimulates the thyroid gland to release its hormones, thus increasing the metabolic rate
~Growth hormone (GH)
-lower glucose usage
-higher consumption of fats as an energy source
~ACTH stimulates the adrenal cortex to release its hormone
~FSH and LH stimulates maturation & release of eggs from ovary
The Thyroid Gland
~lies in the anterior neck just below the larynx
~Two lobes, located on either side
Controls many body functions
~exerts control by releasing special chemical substances into the blood called hormones
~Hormones affect other endocrine glands or body systems
Derives its name from the fact that various glands release hormones directly into the blood, which in turn transports the hormones to target tissues via ducts.
Exocrine glands-transport their hormones to target tissues via ducts.
Endocrine glands- secrete hormones into the bloodstream
The Endocrine System
Consists of several glands located in various parts of the body
~Pituitary gland- a small gland located on a stalk hanging from the base of the brain- AKA
~"The Master Gland"
-Primary function is to control other glands
-Produces many hormones
-Secretion is controlled by the hypothalamus in the base of the brain
The Pituitary Gland is divided into 2 areas, which differ
~structurally and functionally
~each area has separate types of hormone production
The 2 segments are:
~Posterior Pituitary
-produces oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
~Anterior Pituitary
-produces thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
-growth hormone (GH)
-adrenocorticotropin (ACTH)
-follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
~luteinizing hormone (LH)
~prolactin
detailed info over pituitary gland
~Posterior Pituitary
-Oxytocin (the natural form of pitocin)
*stimulates gravid uterus
*causes "let down" of milk from the breast
-ADH (vasopressin) causes the kidney to retain water
The Endocrine System
Anterior Pituitary
~Primarily regulates other endocrine glands
~TSH stimulates the thyroid gland to release its hormones, thus increasing the metabolic rate
~Growth hormone (GH)
-lower glucose usage
-higher consumption of fats as an energy source
~ACTH stimulates the adrenal cortex to release its hormone
~FSH and LH stimulates maturation & release of eggs from ovary
The Thyroid Gland
~lies in the anterior neck just below the larynx
~Two lobes, located on either side