The endocrine system regulates the functions of internal organs.

This regulation is carried out by

hormones secreted by endocrine cells directly into the blood or transferred to neighboring cells through the
cell membrane.

The body's internal balance is crucially maintained by the endocrine system. The endocrine system
performs the following five main tasks:
• Metabolic regulation : Thyroid hormones are essential for controlling metabolism.
• Growth and Development : Hormones such as insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and growth hormone are
critical to both.
• Sexual function : Hormones such as estrogen and testosterone are essential for sexual activity and
reproduction.
• Regulation of blood sugar levels . Hormones such as glucagon and insulin are critical to regulating blood
sugar levels.

What is included in the human endocrine system?

1. Endocrine glands:

• pituitary gland – hormones that regulate the functioning of many human endocrine glands, control body
growth through the production of growth hormone, and are also responsible for the production of hormones
that control the synthesis of stress hormones in the adrenal glands;
• Thyroid gland – these hormones regulate metabolism in the body, growth, maturation of organ tissue and
bone apparatus, energy supply to the cells of the entire body as a whole.
• parathyroid (parathyroid) glands – responsible for the production of parathyroid hormone, which helps
regulate the level of calcium and phosphorus in the body;
• adrenal glands – produce stress hormones such as cortisol, norepinephrine and adrenaline. These hormones
are involved in the body's response to stressful situations, increasing blood pressure, improving heart function
and increasing blood sugar levels;
• Pineal gland – regulates circadian rhythms – sleep-wake cycles, is responsible for memory, curiosity and
aggression, and is also responsible for sexual desire.
• Ovary . A woman's ovaries are located on either side of the uterus, below the opening of the fallopian tubes
(the tubes that run from the uterus to the ovaries). In addition to the eggs needed for reproduction, the
ovaries also produce estrogen and progesterone.
• Testicle . A man's testicles are located in a sac that hangs on the outside of the male body. The testicles
produce testosterone and sperm.

2. Organs with endocrine tissue:

• pancreas (islets of Langerhans);
• gonads (testes and ovaries).

3. Organs with endocrine cells:

• central nervous system (especially the hypothalamus);
• heart;
• lungs;
• gastrointestinal tract (APUD system);
• kidneys;
• placenta;
• thymus;
• prostate.

Endocrine systems, also called hormonal systems, are found in all mammals, birds, fish and many other
species. The endocrine system consists of:
• Glands are located throughout the body;
• Hormones produced by glands and released into the bloodstream or fluid surrounding cells; And
• Receptors in various organs and tissues that recognize and respond to hormones.

Hormones act as chemical messengers that are released into the bloodstream and affect an organ in
another part of the body. Although hormones reach all parts of the body, only target cells with compatible
receptors are able to respond to them. More than 50 hormones have been discovered in humans and other
vertebrates.

Hormones control or regulate many biological processes. Examples of such processes include:
• control of blood sugar levels (insulin);
• differentiation, growth and function of reproductive organs (testosterone and estradiol);
• body growth and energy production (growth hormone and thyroid hormone).

Some examples of hormones include:

• Estrogens are a group of hormones responsible for the sexual development of women. They are produced
primarily by the ovaries and in small quantities by the adrenal glands.
• Androgens are responsible for male sexual characteristics. Testosterone, a sex hormone produced by the
testicles, is an androgen.
• The thyroid gland secretes two main hormones into the bloodstream: thyroxine and triiodothyronine. These
thyroid hormones stimulate all cells in the body and control biological processes such as growth, reproduction,
development and metabolism.

Functions of the endocrine system

What is he doing endocrine system? Its glands produce and secrete hormones that control almost all
processes in the body. They coordinate metabolism, growth and development, and control your emotions,
mood, sexual function and even sleep. Your endocrine system:
 Produces hormones that control your mood , growth and development, metabolism , organs and
reproduction.
 Controls the release of hormones
 Sends these hormones into the bloodstream so they can travel to other parts of the body.

What happens in diseases of the endocrine system?

If the endocrine system is unhealthy, a person may have problems during puberty , pregnancy , or
dealing with stress . He may also gain weight easily , have weak bones, or lack energy because too much sugar
stays in the blood rather than getting into the cells where it is needed for energy. If the endocrine system
malfunctions, the process of hormone production is disrupted:
• Many hormones are released (called hyperfunction).
• Or too few hormones (so-called hypofunction).

Examples of endocrine diseases include:

• Hyperthyroidism (a disease accompanied by an excess of thyroid hormones and accelerated metabolism).
• Hypothyroidism (a disease caused by a long-term and persistent lack of thyroid hormones).
• Cushing's disease (a pathological condition of the body characterized by the influence of an excessive
amount of the hormone cortisol produced by the adrenal glands).
• Addison's disease (slowly developing and usually progressive hypofunction of the adrenal cortex).
• Acromegaly (a disease characterized by enlargement of the skull, hands, feet, etc.).
• Short stature in children.
• Diabetes.
• Hyperparathyroidism (a chronic disease of the endocrine system in which the parathyroid glands produce
excess parathyroid hormone (PTH), which leads to severe disturbances in the metabolism of calcium and
phosphorus in the body).
• Hypoparathyroidism (a disease caused by parathyroid hormone deficiency, often caused by an autoimmune
disease or gland removal).
• Diseases of puberty and the reproductive system.
 Sources:
1. Pharmaceutical Encyclopedia. Endocrine system
https://www.pharmencyclepedia.com.ua/article/8021/endokrinna-sistema#list
2. Medical Center "Malachite" https://malahit.zp.ua/ua/jendokrinnaja-sistema-cheloveka/
3. UAE Saudi-German Healthcare. Endocrine system: definition, functions and organs
https://saudigerman.com/ru/%D1%87%D1%82%D0%BE-%D1%82%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0% B5-
%D1%8D%D0%BD%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%BA%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%8F-%D1%
81%D0%B8%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BC%D0%B0/
4. United State Environmental Protection Agency. Overview of the Endocrine System
https://www.epa.gov/endocrine-disruption/overview-endocrine-system