A Summary of the Endocrine System

Major Endocrine
Glands Secreted Hormones Major Action Regulating System
(superior to inferior)
1. Pineal Gland 1. Melatonin 1. “a sleep trigger” that establishes the body’s sleep-wake cycle Nervous System
- night = peak level (light/dark cycles)
- small, cone-shaped - day around noon = lowest level
gland that hangs from - believed to coordinate the hormones of fertility and to inhibit reproductive
the roof of the brain’s system until body matures
third ventricle
2. Hypothalamus - releases hormones by the posterior pituitary (oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone)
- releases “releasing and inhibiting” hormones that regulate the anterior pituitary gland
3. Pituitary Gland - “master endocrine gland”
- the release of its hormones is controlled by releasing and inhibiting hormones by the hypothalamus
- Pituitary gland is approximately the size of a pea.
- hangs on the inferior surface of the hypothalamus, surrounded by the sella turcica of the sphenoid bone
- divided into anterior and posterior lobes

a. Anterior Lobe 1. Growth Hormone (GH) 1. directs growth of skeletal muscles and long bones of the body Nervous System
(glandular tissue) - general metabolic - maintains blood sugar homeostasis as it causes burning of fat (Hypothalamus)
hormone with - in response to releasing and
nonendocrine target inhibiting hormones
- Tropic hormones
stimulates other 2. Prolactin (PRL) 2. It targets human breast especially to females; effect unknown to man Hypothalamic hormones
endocrine glands to - protein hormone similar - After childbirth, it stimulates and maintains milk production
secrete their own to GH with nonendocrine
hormones. target

3. Gonadotropic 3. regulates the hormonal activity of gonads (ovaries and testes) Hypothalamic hormones
Hormones

3a. Follicle-stimulating 3a. In women, it stimulates follicle development in the ovaries; estrogen Hypothalamic hormones
Hormone (FSH) production
- In men. it triggers sperm development

3b. Luteinizing 3b. In women, it triggers ovulation of egg from the ovary; causes follicle Hypothalamic hormones
Hormone (LH) to rupture to produce progesterone and some estrogen
- In men, LH stimulates testosterone production by the interstitial cells
of the testes

4. Thyrotropic Hormone 4. a thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH); influences the growth and activity Thyroxine in blood; Hypothalamic
(TH) of thyroid gland hormones
 5. Adrenocorticotropic 5. regulates the endocrine activities of the adrenal cortex - in response to glucocorticoids of
Hormone (ACTH) adrenal cortex

b. Posterior Lobe 1. Oxytocin 1. It stimulates contraction of the uterine muscle during sexual relations, Nervous System (Hypothalamus)
(nervous tissue) during labor, and during breastfeeding - released in response to uterine
- causes milk ejection (the let-down reflex) contraction and/or suckling of a baby
- does not make the (nerve impulses from the
hormones it releases hypothalamus)
but rather, acts as a
storage area for
hormones made by 2. Antidiuretic Hormone 2. ADH inhibits or prevents urine production. (Hypothalamus)
hypothalamus (ADH) - causes kidneys to reabsorb more water that allows urine volume to decrease - in response to water and salt
(water retention of kidneys) imbalance
- In larger amounts, ADH constricts arterioles (small arteries) causing
increase in blood pressure; sometimes referred to as vasopressin

4. Thyroid Gland 1. Thyroid Hormone 1. This hormone controls the rate at which glucose is burned or oxidized, Nervous System
- contains thyroxine and converted to body heat and ATP (Anterior Pituitary)
-located at the base of triiodothyronine (active - also important for normal tissue growth and development (reproductive - in response to TSH or Thyroid-
the throat, inferior to iodine-containing and nervous systems) Stimulating Hormone
the “Adam’s apple” hormones)
- 2 lobes joined by - produced and secreted in
central isthmus thyroid follicles

2. decreases calcium ion level in blood by causing calcium to be deposited in Cardiovascular System
2. Calcitonin the bones and by inhibiting kidneys to reabsorb calcium ions - in response to calcium ion level in
- produced by - works antagonistically to parathyroid hormone (PTH) blood
parafollicular cells
5. Parathyroid Gland 1. Parathyroid Hormone 1. most important regulator of calcium ion homeostasis of the blood Cardiovascular System
(PTH) - increases calcium level of blood by stimulating the bone destruction cells - in response to calcium ion level in
- tiny masses of (osteoclasts) to break down bone matrix and release calcium ions into the blood
glandular tissue most blood
often found posterior
of the thyroid gland

6. Thymus 1. Thymosin 1. essential for the development of T lymphocytes of white blood cells Lymphatic System
(peptide hormone) - immune response (Thymus)
- located in the upper - in response to development of
thorax, posterior to the immune cells
sternum
- large in infants and
children then will
slowly decrease in size
through adulthood
- composed of fibrous
connective tissues and
fat (adult thymus)
7. Adrenal Glands - two organs in one
- curve over the top of kidneys like triangular hats
- made up of glandular (cortex) and neural tissue (medulla) like the pituitary gland, producing unique sets of hormones

a. Adrenal Cortex 1. Mineralocorticoids 1. regulates the water and electrolyte (mineral salt) content of the blood Cardiovascular & Urinary System
(glandular) - mainly aldosterone - reabsorption of sodium (Na+) and water in kidneys and excretion of - in response to changes in blood
- released in response to potassium K+ volume or pressure; K+ or Na+ level in
- outermost layer humoral stimuli, renin - This increases blood volume and pressure. blood and water in kidneys; and
- produces three major (kidney enzyme) inhibition by heart hormone atrial
group of steroid natriuretic peptide (ANP) to reduce
hormones blood volume and blood pressure
(corticosteroids)

2. Glucocorticoids
- composed of cortisone
and cortisol
Key Terms: - released in response to a
Hyperglycemic rising blood level of
hormones induce the Adrenocorticotropic
formation of glucose Hormone (ACTH)
in blood.
2. promotes normal cell metabolism (proteins and fats converted to glucose Nervous System
or glucose broken down into energy) - in response to ACTH hormones
- increases blood sugar (hyperglycemic hormone) released by anterior pituitary gland
- help cope with long-term stressors, causing the “resistance stage” of
stress response
- anti-inflammatory (suppression of immune system)
- reduces pain by inhibiting pain-causing prostaglandins
Hypoglycemic 3. Sex Hormones 3. Hormones responsible for the male and female sex characteristics Nervous & Reproductive System
hormones inhibit the - produced in relatively - hypersecretion of sex hormones lead to masculinization
formation / removes small amounts
the glucose from - androgens (in male)
blood. while estrogens (in
females)

b. Adrenal Medulla 1. Catecholamines 1. enhances and prolongs the effects of neurotransmitters released by the Nervous System
(neural) - collective name for SNS (Sympathetic Div)
hormones produced by - prepares the body to cope with short-term stressful situations - in response to stress and visceral
- knots of nervous adrenal medulla - cause the “alarm stage” of stress response functions of the sympathetic organs
tissues stimulated by - hormones released - increases heart rate, metabolic rate and blood pressure
sympathetic NS during “fight-or-flight” - Liver converts glycogen to glucose and released in blood (increases
- often thought as a situations blood glucose level)
“misplaced - dilation of bronchioles (shortness of breath)
sympathetic nervous - changes in blood flow patterns (increased alertness and decreased
system ganglion” digestive and urinary activity)

1a. Epinephrine
1a. a hormone released when feeling strong emotions like anger and fear that
- also called adrenaline
increases heart rate, muscle strength (adrenaline rush), sugar metabolism and
- hyperglycemic hormone
blood pressure
 1b. Norepinephrine 1b. Together with epinephrine, it increases heart rate and blood pumping of
- also called the heart. It also helps break down fat and increase blood sugar levels to
noradrenaline provide energy for the body.

8. Pancreas 1. Insulin 1. decreases blood glucose level (hypoglycemic) Cardiovascular System

- produced and released in - increases the ability of body cells to import glucose across their plasma - in response to high glucose level in
- located close to the the pancreatic islets membrane (no insulin, no cellular glucose) blood
stomach - Once inside the cell, glucose is oxidized to form glycogen or storage fat
- a mixed gland - speeds up the use and storage process of glycogen in liver
- composed of islets of
Langerhans
(endocrine tissue that 2. Glucagon 2. antagonist of insulin - in response to low glucose level in
releases hormones) - increases blood sugar level in blood (hyperglycemic) when it is below the blood
and acinar (exocrine normal level
part that releases - targets the liver to break down stored glycogen back to glucose and to
enzymes to digestive release into the blood
tract)

- Insulin and glucagon

regulates blood
glucose level
9. Ovary (female 1. Estrogen 1. responsible for the development of women sex characteristics Nervous System
gonad) - growth and maturation of reproductive organs (Hypothalamus)
- appearance of secondary sex characteristics like pubic and axillary hair - in response to FSH and LH hormones
- paired, slightly larger at puberty released by anterior pituitary gland
than almond-sized - acts with progesterone to promote breast development and regulate the
organs of the pelvic menstrual cycle
cavity
- Ovaries are
stimulated by the 2. Progesterone 2. acts with estrogen to bring about menstruation
anterior pituitary - “quites” the uterine muscles to avoid accidental abortion of implanted
gonadotropic hormone embryo
- produces eggs and - prepares breast for lactation
steroid hormones
(estrogen and
progesterone)
- hyposecretion of
ovarian hormones
hampers the woman’s
ability to conceive and
bear children

10. Testis (male 1. Androgen 1. supports sperm formation and development of secondary male Nervous System
gonad) characteristics (Hypothalamus)
 - paired oval testes - in response to FSH and LH
suspended in a sac 2. Testosterone 2. promotes the maturation of the male reproductive organs hormones released by anterior
(scrotum) (most important) - growth of secondary male characteristics (facial hair, heavy bones and pituitary gland
- produces sperm and muscles, lowering of voice)
steroid sex hormones - appear and stimulate male sex drive
androgens and - a necessary hormone for the continuous production of sperm
testosterone

INSIGHTS:

The endocrine system is the secondary major controlling system of the body, after the nervous system. Through hormones, it stimulates such long-term processes as growth
and development, metabolism, reproduction, and body defense, and reaches the target organs and target glands specifically, similar to how enzymes work with its substrate.

Endocrine organs are activated to release their hormones into the blood or lymph by hormonal (by other hormones), humoral (by body fluids), or neural stimuli (by nerve
fibers stimulation). Negative feedback is important in regulating blood hormone levels. Hormone-producing glands (the anterior pituitary, hypothalamus, thyroid, parathyroids, and
adrenals) have purely endocrine functions while others (pancreas and gonads) are mixed glands that have both endocrine and exocrine functions (release of product at the body’s
surface or into body cavities known as exits). Nearly all hormones are amino acid–based hormones (water soluble) or steroids (lipid soluble); the former is acted through a second
messenger system while the latter is delivered via direct gene activation or second messenger.

To sum up my learnings, I realized how important hormones are to our body. Not just as a form of “arousal” substances but also as “regulator” substances. Too much
production or even too low production of any of these hormones may cause serious deficiencies that can be physically observed and may lead to critical illnesses.
SOURCES:

Marieb, Elaine N. and Keller, Suzanne M. (2016). The Endocrine System. “Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology”. 12 th ed., pp. 308-331. Pearson Education Inc: United
States of America.