Endocrine System

Chemical Messengers
Allows cells to communicates with each other to regulate body activity
Produced by a specific collection of cells
Classes of messengers:
1. Autocrine 3. Neurotransmitters
- Stimulates the cell that originally - Secreted by neurons that activate an
secreted
secreted it adjacent cell (neuron, muscle or
by WBC - WBC can stimulate their own gland)
during an
infection replication, so the total number of - Secreted in synaptic cleft
WBC increases rapidly - Acetylcholine, epinephrine

2. Paracrine
- Acts0 locally on nearby cells
nearby cells 4. Endocrine
but different
- Secreted by one cell but affect - Secreted into the bloodstream by
cell type
neighboring cells of a different type certain gland and cells
- Histamine releases by WBC during - Travels through the general
allergic reactions causes dilation of circulation to their target cells that
nearby blood vessels are distant from their source

Main Regulatory Functions of the Endocrine System

Regulation of metabolism (TH, cortisol) ( thyroid hormone )
- Controls rate of nutrient utilization and energy production
Control of food intake and digestion (insulin, GI hormones) → gastrointestinal
- Regulates the level of satiation (fullness) and the breakdown of food into individual nutrients
Modulation of tissue development (GH, TH) → growth thyroid
,

- Influences the development of tissues

Regulation of ion levels (aldosterone, ANP, PTH, calcitonin)
- Helps monitor blood pH, as well as sodium, potassium, calcium ion concentrations in the blood
Control of water balance (ADH, aldosterone, ANP)
- Regulates water balance by controlling the solute concentration of blood
Changes in heart rate and blood pressure (TH, cortisol, aldosterone)
- Helps regulate the heart rate and bp and prepare the body for physical activity
Control of blood glucose and other nutrients (insulin, glucagon)
- Regulates the levels of glucose and other nutrients in the blood
Control of reproductive functions (androgens, estrogen, testosterone)
- Controls development and functions of the reproductive system in males and females
Stimulation of uterine contractions and milk release (oxytocin, prolactin)
- Regulates uterine contraction during delivery and stimulates milk release from the breasts in lactating
females
Modulation of immune system function (thymosin, cortisol)
- Helps control the production of immune cells
 Characteristics of the Endocrine System
Endocrine glands and specialized endocrine cells
Chemical > effectors
Secrete hormones → messengers
- Chemical hormones released into the bloodstream to distant target tissues for regulation of different
endo → within
physiological processes
krino → secrete
Chemical Nature of Hormones
set into
hormones
motion

over
under production
Prevent Hormonal Regulation
and
of worm #

release
overproduction
will send
of oxytocin
TH
of → opening of
signal topitituiray cervix
to STOP
grand to
contractions
of uterus

Pituitary Gland and Hypothalamus

Pituitary Gland
“hypophysis”
Pea-sized gland inferior to the hypothalamus
Synthesizes hormones that control the functions
of other glands and under the control of
hypothalamus

Hypothalamus
Endocrine control center of the brain locates
inferior to the thalamus
(Hypothalamus and pituitary gland are connected by
the infundibulum)

Note:
Hormones made by the hypothalamus will through the hypothalamic- pituitary portal system found in the
infundibulum then goes to the pituitary gland
Releases two hormones:
a. Releasing hormone- stimulates the production and secretion of hormones in PG
b. Inhibiting hormone- decreases secretion
 ANTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND

Gland Hormone Target Tissue Response

Pituitary gland Growth hormone Most tissues Increases gene expression, increased
(bones, muscles, organs) production of final products that our
genes are trying to encode

increase
long
during and bone
fasting
exercise

of
woe

increased GHRH decreased GHRH

Gland Hormone Target Tissue Response

Pituitary gland Thyroid-stimulating Thyroid gland Increases thyroid hormone section
hormone stimulates TH (thyroxine and triiodothyronine)

increased THRH decreased THRH

 Gland Hormone Target Tissue Response
Pituitary gland Adrenocorticotropic Adrenal cortex Increases secretion of glucocorticoid
Hormone (ACTH) hormones (cortisol), increases skin
pigmentation of high concentrations
Melanocyte- Melanocytes in skin Increases melanin production in
stimulating hormone melanocytes to make skin darker in
(MSH) color

In Luteinizing hormone
(LH)/ Interstitial cell-
Ovary (females), testis in (males)
LH ICSH
Promotes ovulation and progesterone
production in ovary; promotes
3 stimulates secrete
-

9-
stimulating hormone
0 (ICSH)
* Follicle-stimulating
0
ovulation
hormone
testosterone synthesis and support for
testosterone sperm cell production in testis
Follicles in ovary (females), Promotes follicle maturation and

hormone (FSH) seminiferous tubules (males) estrogen secretion in ovary; sperm cell
T¥
,
development
of follicle
sperm cell
production production in testis
Prolactin Ovary and mammary gland Stimulates milk production and
(females), testis (males) prolongs progesterone secretion
following ovulation and during
stimulate
milk
production pregnancy in women; increases
sensitivity to LH in males

POSTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND

storasfrea

Gland Hormone Target Tissue Response

Posterior Antidiuretic hormone Conserve water; constricts blood
(ADH) Kidney vessels
“vasopressin”
prevent
urination
 more
urine
conserving
water

increased decreased

Gland Hormone Target Tissue Response

Posterior Oxytocin Uterus Increase uterine contractions
¥-88B
Kidney Increases milk letdown from
gland mammary glands

ejection
mik
of
 THYROID GLAND
Composed of two lobes connected by a narrow band of thyroid tissue called isthmus
Located on each side of trachea. Inferior to larynx
Highly vascular
Thyroid follicles
o Filled with colloid
o Produced thyroglobulin
o Where TH are synthesized and stored
Parafollicular cells or C cells = calcitonin
 Gland Hormone Target Tissue Response
Thyroid Thyroid hormones Most cells of the body Increase metabolic rates, essential for
(thyroxine, normal process of growth and
triiodothyronine) maturation
Calcitonin Primarily bone Decrease rate of bone breakdown;
prevents large increase in blood Ca+
levels following a meal

Iodine used to synthesize the thyroid hormones:

- Triiodothyronine/ T3 (active form)
- Tetraiodothyronine/ T4 (precursor of T3)
- Secreted by the parafollicular or C cells
- Lowers blood Ca+ levels to return to normal range
- Secreted if blood concentration of Ca+ becomes too high

THYROID PATHOLOGIES
 bulging
hyperthyroidism
>
user swelling hypothyroidism

PARATHYROID GLAND
4 glands embedded in the posterior part of the thyroid gland
Cell types:
o Chief cells
- produce parathyroid hormone (parathormone)
- important in regulating calcium ion levels
o Oxyphils

Gland Hormone Target Tissue Response

Parathyroid hormone Bone, kidney Increase rate of bone breakdown by
osteoclasts, increases vit D synthesis,
essential for maintenance of blood
calcium levels
Parathyroid

hyperparathyroidism hypoparathyroidism
 ADRENAL GLAND

Medulla (inner)
- Arises from neural crest cells
- Sympathetic division of the ANS secrete “fight-or-flight” hormones
- Epinephrine/ adrenalin & norepinephrine
Cortex (outer)
- Zona glomerulosa (aldosterone)
- Zona fasciculata (cortisol)
- Zona reticularis (androgens)
-
Gland Hormone Target Tissue Response
Adrenal Epinephrine mostly, Heart, blood vessels, liver, Increase cardiac output; increases blood
medulla some norepinephrine adipocytes flow to skeletal muscles and heart;
increases release of glucose and fatty acids
into blood in general; prepares body for
physical activity
Adrenal Mineralocorticoids Kidneys; to lesser degree, Increase rate of sodium transport into the
cortex (aldosterone) intestine and sweat glands body; increase rate of potassium excretion;
secondary favor water retention

Regulate blood volume and blood levels of K+ and Na+

Hyperkalemia

increased decreased
Gland Hormone Target Tissue Response
Glucocorticoids Most tissues (liver, fat, skeletal Increase lipid and protein breakdown;
(cortisol) muscle, immune tissues) glucose synthesis from amino acids; blood
nutrient levels; inhibit inflammation and
immune response
Regulate blood nutrient levels
 increased decreased

Gland Hormone Target Tissue Response

Adrenal androgens Most tissues Insignificant in males; increase female
sexual drive, and axillary hair
Stimulate the development of male secondary sex characteristics

PANCREAS
 Gland Hormone Target Tissue Response
Pancreas Insulin Especially liver, skeletal Increases uptake and use of glucose and
muscle, adipose tissue amino acids
Glucagon Primarily liver Increases breakdown of glycogen and
release of glucose into the circulatory
system
Regulate the blood levels of nutrients, especially glucose
Maintain blood glucose levels within a normal range

PANCREATIC HORMONES
 TESTES AND OVARIES
- Secrete reproductive hormones essential for the development of sexual characteristics

THYMUS
- Upper part of the thoracic cavity
- Function of the immune system for
maintenance of T- cells
- Will undergo involution as the person
ages
 PINEAL GLAND

OTHER HORMONES
GI HORMONES
Cells in the lining of the stomach and small intestine
Stimulate the production of digestive juices
Prostaglandins
Function as intercellular signals
Role in inflammation
Contraction and relaxation of smooth muscles