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Endocrine System
The endocrine system is a complex network of glands and organs. It uses
hormones to control and coordinate your body's metabolism, energy level,
reproduction, growth and development, and response to injury, stress, and mood.
Endocrine glands are ductless glands of the endocrine system that secrete their
products, hormones, directly into the blood. The major glands of the endocrine
system are;
 Pineal gland
 Pituitary gland
 Thyroid gland
 Parathyroid gland
 Thymus Gland
 Adrenal glands
 Pancreas gland
 Gonad gland

1. Pineal gland
The pineal gland is a very small gland in the centre of the brain shaped like a pine
cone, which is where it gets its name. It is part of the endocrine system. It
produces a hormone called melatonin which helps the body know when it's time to
sleep.
2. Pituitary gland
This little gland is only about the size of a pea, but it has a big job. The pituitary
gland is in charge of many different functions, including how your body grows. It’s
located at the base of your brain. This gland has two lobes, the posterior and
anterior lobes. The posterior lobe secretes hormones that are made by the
hypothalamus. The anterior lobe produces its own hormones, several of which act
on other endocrine glands.
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Regulated by releasing or inhibitory signals from the hypothalamus and the

circulatory hormone level, the anterior pituitary gland produces the following
hormones and releases them into the bloodstream:
 Adrenocorticotropic hormone, which stimulates the adrenal glands to
secrete steroid hormones, principally cortisol.
 Growth hormone, which regulates growth, metabolism and body
composition via acting on the liver, bones, adipose tissue (fat deposit) and
muscle
 Luteinising hormone and follicle stimulating hormone, also known as
gonadotrophins. They act on the ovaries or testes to stimulate sex hormone
production, and egg and sperm maturity
 Prolactin, which stimulates milk production in the mammary glands
 Thyroid stimulating hormone, which stimulates the thyroid gland to secrete
thyroid hormones.
Two hormones are produced by the hypothalamus and then stored in the posterior
pituitary gland before being secreted into the bloodstream. These are:
 Anti-diuretic hormone (also called vasopressin), which controls water
balance and blood pressure
 Oxytocin, which stimulates uterine contractions during labour and milk
secretion during breastfeeding.
3. Thyroid
Thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck. It’s responsible for
your metabolism (how your body uses energy).
4. Parathyroid
These four tiny glands are no larger than a grain of rice. They control the level of
calcium in your body. For your heart, kidneys, bones and nervous system to work,
you need the right amount of calcium.
5. Thymus
The thymus is located in the upper part of the chest and produces white blood cells
that fight infections and destroy abnormal cells. The thymus is an organ that is
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critically important to the immune system which serves as the body's defense
mechanism providing surveillance and protection against diverse pathogens,
tumors, antigens and mediators of tissue damage.
6. Adrenal glands
An adrenal gland is located on top of each kidney. Like many glands, the adrenal
glands work hand-in-hand with the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. The adrenal
gland is made up of two glands: the cortex and medulla. These glands produce
hormones in response to stress and regulate blood pressure, glucose metabolism,
and the body's salt and water balance.
7. Pancreas
The pancreas is located across the back of the abdomen, behind the stomach. The
pancreas plays a role in digestion, as well as hormone production. Hormones
produced by the pancreas include insulin and glucagon, which regulate levels of
blood sugar. Glucagon is released when the blood glucose level is low and
stimulates the liver to release glucose into the blood. Insulin increases the rate of
glucose uptake and metabolism by most body cells.
8. Gonads
The male reproductive gonads, or testes, and female reproductive gonads, or
ovaries, produce steroids that affect growth and development and also regulate
reproductive cycles and behaviors. The major categories of gonadal steroids are
androgens, estrogens, and progestins, all of which are found in both males and
females but at different levels.