Endocrine System

HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

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target tissues
Introduction
The endocrine system includes the organs of
the body that secrete hormones directly into
body fluids such as blood
Regulates chemical reaction in cells and
therefore control functions of the organs, tissues,
and other cells
Glands
secrete
hormones
into
bloodstream
to
Hormones (cont.)
Many are derived from steroids that easily cross the cell
membrane
Examples of steroid hormones
Estrogen
Progesterone
Testosterone
Cortisol
hormones
Hormones (cont.)
Nonsteroidal hormones
Made of amino acids or
proteins and cannot cross
the cell membrane easily

Bind to receptors on the
surface of the cells

G-protein activated by
the hormone-receptor
complex
Activates enzymes inside
cell
Prostaglandins
Local, or tissue, hormones
Derived from lipid
molecules
Do not travel in the
bloodstream
Target tissues are located
close by
Produced by organs such
as
Kidneys
Heart
Stomach
Uterus
Brain
Negative and Positive
Feedback Loops
Control hormone levels
Negative feedback loop
Hormone release stops in response to decrease in stimulus
Stimulus (eating) raises blood glucose levels
Pancreas releases insulin in response to elevated blood glucose
Blood glucose decreases as it is used by the body or stored in the liver
Insulin release stops as blood glucose levels normalize
Negative and Positive
Feedback Loops (cont.)
Positive feedback loop
As long as stimulus is present, action of hormone continues
Infant nursing at mothers breast stimulates hypothalamus stimulates
posterior pituitary
Oxytocin released stimulates milk production and ejection from mammary
glands
Milk release continues as long as infant continues to nurse
Hypothalamus
Hormones
Oxytocin
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Hormones transported to the posterior pituitary for storage
Directs posterior pituitary to release hormones
Glands
Controlled by the hypothalamus
Located at the base of the brain
Protected by a bony structure called the sella turcica
The optic chiasm is located just above the pituitary
gland
Carries visual information to the brain for interpretation

Two lobes
Anterior lobe
Posterior lobe
Pituitary Gland
Glands
Anterior
Lobe
Growth hormone
Prolactin
Adrenocorticotropic
Thyroid-stimulating
Follicle-stimulating
Luteinizing
Stimulates milk
production
Stimulates the adrenal
cortex to release its
hormones
Stimulates the
thyroid gland to
release its
hormones
Females: stimulates estrogen
production and maturation of
the ova
Males: stimulates sperm
production
Females: stimulates ovulation
and estrogen production
Males: stimulates testosterone
production
Pituitary Gland (cont.)
Stimulates increase in
size of muscles and
bones
Posterior
Lobe
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Oxytocin
Stimulates the kidneys to
conserve water
Females: causes
contraction of the
uterus and ejection of
breast milk
Males: stimulates
contraction of the
prostate and vas
deferens during sexual
arousal
Pituitary Gland (cont.)
T
3
T
4

Thyroid Gland and
Parathyroid Glands
Thyroid Gland
Located below the larynx
Divided into follicles that store some of the hormones
Major hormones
Stimulate protein synthesis and
increase cellular energy
production
Lowers blood calcium levels by
activating osteoblasts that build
new bone tissue
Glands
Thyroid Gland and
Parathyroid Glands (cont.)
Parathyroid glands
Four located on the posterior surface of the thyroid gland

Secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH)
Agonist to calcitonin by raising blood calcium levels through
activation of osetoclasts (dissolve bone)
As bone dissolves, calcium levels in blood increase
Glands
Adrenal Glands
Located on top of each kidney
Divided into the adrenal medulla and
adrenal cortex
Adrenal medulla
Central portion
Hormones
Epinephrine
Norepinephrine
Same effects as sympathetic nervous system
Glands
Adrenal Glands (cont.)
Adrenal cortex
Outermost portion
Secretes many hormones, but main ones are
Aldosterone
Stimulates body to retain sodium and water
Important in maintaining BP

Cortisol
Released when stressed
Decreases protein synthesis, resulting in slowed tissue repair
Decreases inflammation
Pancreas
Located behind the
stomach
Both exocrine gland
and endocrine gland
Exocrine secretes
digestive enzymes into
a duct leading to the
small intestine
Endocrine secretes
hormones into
bloodstream
Glands
Pancreas (cont.)
Islets of Langerhans secrete hormones into
bloodstream
Alpha cells secrete glucagon
Beta cells secrete insulin

Blood glucose
concentrations
Protein synthesis
Blood glucose
concentrations

Protein synthesis
Thyroid Gland and
Parathyroid Glands (cont.)
Parathyroid glands
Four located on the posterior surface of the thyroid gland

Secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH)
Agonist to calcitonin by raising blood calcium levels through
activation of osetoclasts (dissolve bone)
As bone dissolves, calcium levels in blood increase
Glands
Adrenal Glands
Located on top of each kidney
Divided into the adrenal medulla and
adrenal cortex
Adrenal medulla
Central portion
Hormones
Epinephrine
Norepinephrine
Same effects as sympathetic nervous system
Glands
Adrenal Glands (cont.)
Adrenal cortex
Outermost portion
Secretes many hormones, but main ones are
Aldosterone
Stimulates body to retain sodium and water
Important in maintaining BP

Cortisol
Released when stressed
Decreases protein synthesis, resulting in slowed tissue repair
Decreases inflammation
Pancreas
Located behind the
stomach
Both exocrine gland
and endocrine gland
Exocrine secretes
digestive enzymes into
a duct leading to the
small intestine
Endocrine secretes
hormones into
bloodstream
Glands
Pancreas (cont.)
Islets of Langerhans secrete hormones into
bloodstream
Alpha cells secrete glucagon
Beta cells secrete insulin

Blood glucose
concentrations
Protein synthesis
Blood glucose
concentrations

Protein synthesis
Other Hormone-Producing Organs
Pineal body
Small gland
Located between cerebral
hemispheres
Melatonin
Regulates circadian rhythms
May play a role in onset of
puberty
Thymus gland
Located between lungs
Thymosin
Promotes production of
T lymphocytes
Glands
Other Hormone-Producing
Organs (cont.)
The gonads
Ovaries
Estrogen
Progesterone
Testes
Testosterone

Stomach
Gastrin
Small intestine
Secretin
Cholecystokinin

Heart
Atrial natriuretic peptide
regulates BP

Kidneys
Erythropoietin stimulates
blood cell production
Glands
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