Thyroid Gland produced by the heart when blood pressure is

▪ Calcitonin too high

 Decreases blood calcium levels by causing Glucocorticoids (including cortisone and cortisol)
calcium deposition on bone ▪ Produced by middle layer of adrenal cortex
 Antagonistic to parathyroid hormone ▪ Promote normal cell metabolism
 Produced by parafollicular cells found ▪ Help resist long-term stressors by increasing
between the follicles blood glucose levels (hyperglycemic hormone)
Parathyroid Glands ▪ Anti-inflammatory properties
▪ Tiny masses on the posterior of the thyroid ▪ Released in response to increased blood levels
▪ Secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH) of ACTH
 Most important regulator of calcium ion Sex hormones
(Ca2+) homeostasis of the blood ▪ Produced in the inner layer of the adrenal cortex
 Stimulates osteoclasts to remove calcium ▪ Small amounts are made throughout life
from bone ▪ Most of the hormones produced are androgens
 Hypercalcemic hormone (increases blood (male sex hormones), but some estrogens (female
calcium levels) sex hormones) are also formed
 Stimulates the kidneys and intestine to absorb Adrenal medulla
more calcium  Produces two similar hormones
Thymus (catecholamines)
▪ Located in the upper thorax, posterior to the 1. Epinephrine (adrenaline)
sternum 2. Norepinephrine (noradrenaline)
▪ Largest in infants and children  These hormones prepare the body to deal
▪ Decreases in size throughout adulthood with short-term stress (“fight or flight”) by:
▪ Produces a hormone called thymosin ▪ Increasing heart rate, blood
 Matures some types of white blood cells pressure, blood glucose levels
 Important in developing the immune system ▪ Dilating small passageways of lungs
Pancreatic Islets
Adrenal Glands ▪ Pancreas
▪ Sit on top of the kidneys  Located in the abdomen, close to stomach
▪ Two regions  Mixed gland, with both endocrine and
1. Adrenal cortex—outer glandular region exocrine functions
has three layers that produce ▪ The pancreatic islets (islets of Langerhans)
corticosteroids produce hormones
▪ Mineralocorticoids are secreted by Insulin Glucagon
outermost layer (produced by beta cells ) (produced by alpha cells )
▪ Glucocorticoids are secreted by middle  Released when blood  These hormones are
layer glucose levels are high antagonists that
▪ Sex hormones are secreted by innermost  Increases the rate of maintain blood sugar
layer glucose uptake and homeostasis
2. Adrenal medulla—inner neural tissue metabolism by body  Released when blood
region cells glucose levels are low
Hormones of the Adrenal Cortex  Effects are  Stimulates the liver to
Mineralocorticoids (mainly aldosterone) hypoglycemic release glucose to
▪ Produced in outer adrenal cortex blood, thus increasing
▪ Regulate mineral (salt) content in blood, blood glucose levels
particularly sodium and potassium ions
▪ Regulate water and electrolyte balance
▪ Target organ is the kidney Gonads
 Release of aldosterone is stimulated by: ▪ Produce sex cells and sex hormones.
▪ Humoral factors (fewer sodium ions or too Ovaries (Female gonads) Testes (Male gonads)
many potassium ions in the blood) -located in the pelvic cavity -suspended outside the
▪ Hormonal stimulation (ACTH) -Produce eggs and two pelvic cavity
▪ Renin and angiotensin II in response to a groups of steroid -Produce sperms and
drop in blood pressure hormones androgens, such as
 Aldosterone production is inhibited by atrial 1. Estrogens testosterone
natriuretic peptide (ANP), a hormone 2. Progesterone
 Estrogens
 Stimulate the development
of secondary female
characteristics o
 Mature the female
reproductive organs
▪ With progesterone, estrogens
also:
 Promote breast
development
 Regulate menstrual
cycle
Progesterone
 Acts with estrogen to bring
about the menstrual cycle
 Helps in the implantation
of an embryo in the uterus
 Helps prepare breasts for
lactation
Testes
▪ Produce several androgens
o ▪Testosterone is the most
important androgen
 Responsible for adult
male secondary sex
characteristics
 Promotes growth
and maturation of
male reproductive
system
 Required for sperm
cell production

Other organs that are generally nonendocrine in

function also secrete hormones
 Stomach
 Small intestine
 Kidneys
 Heart
Placenta
 Produces hormones that maintain pregnancy
 Some hormones play a part in the delivery of
the baby
 Produces Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
(hCG) in addition to estrogen, progesterone,
and other hormones; produced by developing
embryo.
 Human placental lactogen (hPL) prepares the
breasts for lactation
 Relaxin relaxes pelvic ligaments and pubic
symphysis for childbirth

Developmental Aspects of the Endocrine System

▪ In the absence of disease, efficiency of the endocrine
system remains high until old age
▪ Decreasing function of female ovaries at
 Menopause (“change of life”) leads to such
symptoms as osteoporosis, increased chance
of heart disease, and possible mood changes
▪ Efficiency of all endocrine glands gradually decreases
with aging, which leads to a generalized increase in
incidence of:
 Diabetes mellitus
 Immune system depression
 Lower metabolic rate
 Cancer rates in some areas