Endocrine Glands of Human beings:

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Glands:
-Three types of glands present in Human body. They are
1. Exocrine glands: Those glands which have duct to carry their secretions
and secretes enzymes are called as exocrine glands. Exocrine glands
secrete enzymes. They have duct to carry their secretions. The secretion of
exocrine glands (enzymes) helps in food digestion. Exocrine glands are
Liver, Salivary glands, gastric glands, Intestinal glands. They are located
near the target organs.
2. Endocrine glands: The glands which do not have duct to carry their
secretion and secretes hormones are called as endocrine glands. They do
not have duct to carry their secretion. Their secretions is called as
hormones. They are located far away from the target organs. Their
secretions are poured into the blood stream. Endocrine glands are
pituitary gland, pineal gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid gland etc.
3. Heterocrine or Mixed gland: The gland which secretes both enzymes and
hormones are called as heterocrine glands. Pancreas is only the
heterocrine glands which secrete enzyme pancreatic juice and hormones
Insulin, glucagon, somatostatin .
Note: Write difference between Endocrine and Exocrine gland yourself: 2
 Endocrine Glands:
- Those glands which do not have ducts to carry their secretion and pour their
secretion directly into the blood are called endocrine glands.
- Endocrine glands together constitute the endocrine system.
- The study of endocrine glands and their secretion is called as endocrinology.
-The secretion of endocrine glands are called as hormones.
Characteristics of hormones:
- Hormones are the chemical messenger secreted in certain body parts by endocrine
glands. They are poured in the blood stream and transported to the target area
where they show their influence.
- They are made up of polypeptides or amino acids or steroids(lipids).
- They are transported by blood.
- They are non-antigenic (i.e body do not produce antibodies against them).
- They are soluble in water and blood.
- Excess or deficiency of hormones causes serious physiological disorders.
- They have low molecular weight and can be easily absorbed by blood capillaries.
Functions of Hormones:
- Hormones regulate growth, maturation, moulting , development of secondary sexual
characters etc.
-Hormones control gametogenesis.
-Hormones helps to maintain internal regulation of body temperature.
-Hormones help to make adaptations to the external factors and environment.
-It controls various physiological changes. 3
The various types of endocrine glands are;
Glands Position

1.Hypothalamus Base of the brain (between pituitary and thalamus)

2. Pituitary glands Cranial (brain)

3. Thyroid glands Cervical region (neck)
4. Parathyroid glands Cervical region (neck)
5. Pancreas In the curvature of duodenum
6. Adrenal glands top of each kidney
7. Thymus gland Thoracic region (chest)
8. Pineal body Cranial (brain)
9. Sex glands/gonads(testis and ovary) Extra abdominal region

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1. Hypothalamus:
Hypothalamus is the integrated part of the brain. The secretion of hypothalamus
influences the function of pituitary and other glands. It links the endocrine
system and nervous system.
Location: It is located at the base of the brain in between thalamus and pituitary
gland.
Structure: It is a small cone shaped in structure and similar to the size of almond. It
has three regions:
1. Anterior region -2. Middle region 3. Posterior region
Functions:
1. Anterior region: The anterior region secretes hypothalamus hormones. These
hormones interact with pituitary gland to form more hormones. They are;
i) Thyrotropin releasing hormones(TRH): Signals pituitary gland to secrete thyroid
stimulating hormones (TSH).
ii) Corticotropin-releasinghormone (CRH): stimulates the pituitary to secrete
adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH).
iii) Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone (GnRH): stimulates the pituitary to secrete the
reproductive hormones like Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing
hormone (LH) etc.
iv) Somatostatin : Stops the pituitary gland for secreting some specific hormones.
v) Vasopressin: also known as Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)- controls the water level
in the body.
vi) Oxytocin: regulates several emotional responses like excitement, recognition, trust
etc.
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2. Middle region:
The middle region helps to regulate appetite and also plays a role in
secreting the growth hormone releasing hormone(GHRH) which plays
major role for growth and development of body.

3. Posterior region:
It helps to control and stabilize the temperature of the body as well as
helps in the formation of memory and cognition.

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2. Pituitary gland:
- It is also called master gland because its hormones control the functions of
other gland.
-It is located at the base of the brain and enclosed in a depression of bone of
skull. It is connected with hypothalamus of brain by a stalk called
infundibulum.
Structure:
-The pituitary is small about the size of the large pea. It’s weight is about 0.5-
1gm.it is reddish gray in color and roughly oval in shape.
-Morphologically, pituitary gland consists of three parts;
a) Anterior lobe (pars distalis): formed by outgrowth of glandular epithelium
of pharynx and consist of network of blood vessels.
c) Posterior lobe(Pars nervous):Formed by downgrowth from the base of brain
and composed of nervous tissue.
b) Intermediate lobe(pars media): present between anterior and posterior
lobe.
Anterior lobe and intermediate lobe collectively also called adeonohypophysis
and posterior lobe also called neurohypophysis.

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Adenohypophysis:
It comprises about 75% of the pituitary gland. It is the non-nervous part of the
gland. It secrets following types of hormones.
1.Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH): Stimulate the ovarian follicle to produce
eggs in female and spermatogenesis in males.
2.Luteinizing hormone (LH): Stimulate ovulation and helps in secretion of
progesterone and estrogen in female. In male it activate
to secret testosterone hormone.
3. Prolactin hormone: Stimulates to produce milk in pregnant female from
mammary gland.
4.Adrenocorticotropin hormone (ATCH): Stimulate adrenal cortex to secrete
adrenocortico-steroid hormones.
5.Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH): stimulates thyroid gland to secrete tetra-
iodothyroxine(T4) and tri-iodothyroxine (t3) hormones.

6.Growth stimulating hormone (GSH) or somatotropin: Control the growth and

development of body.

7.Melano stimulating hormone (by intermediate lobe) :Stimulate pigmentation of

skin.
Note: All hormones from 1-6 are secreted by anterior lobe and only the last one
secreted by intermediatelobe.
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Disorders due to growth stimulating hormones: (GSH)
1.Gigantism:
It is caused by hyper secretion of growth hormones. In this condition
there occurs an extraordinary growth in height. The bone of limbs are
extraordinarily long.
2. Dwarfism:
It is caused by hypo secretion of growth hormones (less secretion) in
childhood. It is characterized by smaller body size.
3. Acromegaly:
It is due to the hyper secretion of growth hormones. It is characterized
by abnormal growth of feet, the hands and the face. Face looks ugly like
a gorilla due to overgrowth and thickness of facial bones.
4. Simmond’s disease:
It is due to hypo secretion of growth hormones in adult stage. In this
condition, a person seems older than the actual age.

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Hormones of neurohypophysis(posterior lobe) and
their functions:
1.Oxytocin (pitocin):
It is also called birth hormone and milk ejection hormone. It
affects the contraction of uterine wall to give birth of baby and
ejection of milk in mammary gland in female.
In male it stimulates the flow of spermatozoa.

2.Vasopressin or antidituretic hormone (ADH):

Balance amount of the water in the body from distal convoluted
tubule and collecting duct of nephrons.
Disorders of ADH
Hyposecretion – Production of large volume of urine (diurersis)
and diabetes insipidus.
Hypersecretion – Small urine volume (antidiuresis). 10
No need to draw the figure, just understand it
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3. Thyroid gland
Location: It is located on either
side of upper part of trachea
behind the thyroid cartilage.

Structure:
It is the largest endocrine gland of
the body. It measures about 5 cm
In length ,3cm in width and 25-30
gm in weight.It is a bilobed gland having right and left lobe. Thyroid
gland is larger in in the female than in male and enlarge more during
pregnancy.
The functional unit of thyroid gland is large numbers of small closed
thyroid follicle. These follicle secrets thyroid hormones. Between the
thyroid follicles parafollicular cells (C-cells) are present.
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Functions:
It produce tetra-iodothyronine (T4), tri-iodothyronine (T3) and
calcitonine. T4 and T3 are secreted by thyroid follicles and calcitonine is
by C-cells (parafollicular cells).
1.Thyroxine hormones (T4 and T3)
- It control the rate of metabolic activities, promotes growth and
differentiation and metamorphosis.
Hyposecretion –retard growth in child (condition called cretinism)
-low metabolism (myxoedema) swelling
-Enlargement of thyroid gland (Simple Goiter)
Hypersecretion-increase of metabolic rate
-bulging of eye balls, irregular heartbeat
-nervousness, loss of weight
-exopthalmic goiter.
2. calcitonine:
- It regulates metabolism of calcium and phosphorus. It is stimulated by
increase in conc. of ca++ in plasma. If calcium ions are high in blood, it
transfers calcium to bones from blood.
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4. Parathyroid glands:
These are embedded in the dorsal surface of thyroid gland. Two are located in
each thyroid lobe(altogether 4 parathyroid gland). They are about 4mm in long
and 50mg of weight. The gland is made up of polygonal cells. Histologically
they are made up of two types of cells. They are
a. Chief cells: they are smaller, cuboidal and more numerous.
b. Oxyphil cell: These are larger, polyhedral and les numerous
Functions:
It secrets Parathormone which is controlled by calcium level in blood. Low
calcium causes secretion of parathyroid hormones. Parathormone maintain the
metabolism of phosphate and calcium.

Hyposecretion: twitching of muscles and spasm of the body (quick jerky

response of muscle) and painful contraction of muscles)
(for all symptoms condition called Tetany)
Hypersecretion: Extensive decalcification(calcium are released from bones)
and may lead to bony deformities , factures, soft bones.
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5. Adrenal or suprarenal glands:
Location:
It is located at the top of the kidney.
Structure:
They are the small triangular, yellowish glands each lying at the top of the
kidney like a cap. So they are also called as supra renal glands.They are smaller
in females than in males.
They are highly vasculated. It’s size is 5cm long and 3cm wide and weight is
about 5gm.Histologicallly it is composed of two distinct parts;
a. Adrenal cortex (Outer region)
It constitutes about 80% and it is differentiated into three regions. Outer
zona glomerulosa, middle zona fasciculata and inner zona retiularis.
Cortex region secrets following hormones;
i) Mineralocorticoids: It balances minerals like Na+, K+ and water.
ii) Glucocoticoids: It involves in Synthesis of glucose from amino acids and
fatty acids(gluconeogenesis) and metabolism of carbohydrates.
iii) Gonadocorticoids(sex corticoids): Controls the function of sex organs and
development of secondary sex characters.
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Disorders of Adrenal cortex hormones:

a. Addison’s diseases:
Caused by the deficiency of mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids. It is
characterized by dark bronze pigmentation of skin, low BP, elevated
temperature etc.
b. Cushing’s disease: Caused by the hypersecretion of glucocorticoids.
c. Aldosteronism: Caused by the hyersecretion of aldosterone.
d. Conn’s disease: Caused by the low secretion of mineralocorticoids.

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b. Adrenal medulla(Inner layer):
It is the inner part of the adrenal gland which consist of soft, dark reddish brown
tissue. Adrenal medulla secrete two hormones. They are
i) Adrenaline: It is also known as emergency hormone.
- It increases the conversion of glycogen into glucose and thus
provides energy.
- It dilates the blood vessels in the heart and skeletal muscle.
ii) Nor-adrenaline:
- It regulates blood pressure under normal condition.
- It causes constriction of blood vessels leading to the increase in blood
pressure.
- It slows down the heart rate by increasing blood flow through coronary
artery.

Adrenal gland is know as gland of emergency as it secrets adrenaline and nor-

adrenaline hormones which prepares the body to face the stress and danger
(emergency conditions of fight or flight).

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6. Pancreas:
Pancreas is the second largest gland present in the curvature of duodenum. It is the
elongated, yellowish gland measuring about 15 cm in length and weight about 85
gm.
Pancreas has both exocrine and endocrine part to secrete both the digestive
enzyme (pancreatic juice) and hormones.
i) Exocrine part:
The exocrine part consist of large lobules called pancreatic lobules (accini) which
secretes pancreatic juice.
i) Endocrine part:
Endocrine part of pancreas are the specialized cells called islets of langerhans.
There are mainly four types of cells in islets of langerhans which secretes
hormones. They are;
a) Alpha cells: secretes glucagon hormones which convert glycogen into glucose.
b) Beta cells: Secretes Insulin hormone which converts glucose into glycogen.
c) Gamma cells: Secretes somatostatin hormone which inhibits the secretion of
both glucagon and insulin.
d) PP cells or F-cells: secretes pancreatic polypeptide hormones. It inhibits the
digestive secretion of pancreas.
Pancreas is called as mixed gland as it secrets digestive enzyme pancreatic juice as
exocrine gland and hormones like insulin, glucagon etc as endocrine glands.
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Deficiency of pancreatic hormones:
When there occurs disorders in the secretion of pancreatic hormones, two disorders
are seen.
1. Diabetes mellitus (hyperglycemia):
It is the condition in which blood glucose level rises above then normal level. It is
caused due to the insufficient production of insulin. In this case glucose is
excreted in urine.
2. Hypoglycemia:
It occurs when the blood glucose level falls below the normal range. It may be
caused by the excess production of glucose or deficiency of glucagon hormone.
Its symptoms are sweating, weakness, unconsciousness, convolutionsetc.

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7. Pineal gland:
It is a cone shaped gland present on the roof of the third ventricle of brain. It
secretes hormone melatonin which increases pigmentation of the skin and helps
in colour changes in skin.
8. Gonads (testis and ovary)
Testis:
A pair of testis is present in muscular sac called scrotum in extra abdominal
cavity in males. The hormone produced by testis is called testosterone. It is
secreted by cells of leydig present in between the seminiferous tubules.
Testosterone stimulates spermatogenesis and helps in the development of
secondary sexual characters in male like beard, mustache, hoarse male sound,
pubic hair etc.
Ovary:
A pair of ovaries are present in the abdomen of female. Ovaries produces
hormones oestrogens and progesterone which helps in oogenesis process and
development of sex organs and secondary sexual characters.
(For further study of several glands and hormones observe the table given in book.
From the table you will find all the glands and hormones in short for quick
study)
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