The Endocrine System

The Endocrine System

Hormones
 Released in one part of the body but regulates activities of cells in
other parts of the body.
 Receptors→target cells/tissues.
COMPARISON OF CONTROL BY THE
NERVOUS AND ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
CHARACTERISTIC NERVOUS SYSTEM ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
Mediator Molecules Neurotransmitter Hormones
Site of Mediator Action Close to site or release or Far from site of release
at synapse
Types of target cells Muscle (CSS) gland cells, Virtually all body cells
neurons
Time to onset of action Millisecs Seconds to hours or days
Duration of Action Brief Longer
The Endocrine System
2 KINDS OF GLANDS:
1. Exocrine
 Sudoriferous, sebaceous, mucous and digestive glands.
2. Endocrine
 Pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal and pineal.
 Hypothalamus, thymus, pancreas, ovaries, testes, kidneys,
stomach, liver, SI, skin, heart, adipose tissues and placenta.

CONTROL OF HORMONE SECRETION

 Through negative feedback system but some via positive
feedback.
The Endocrine System
The Endocrine System
I. PITUITARY GLAND
(HYPOPHYSIS CEREBRI)
 In the hypophyseal
fossa of the sella turcica
of the sphenoid bone
attached to the
hypothalamus by
the infundibulum.
 Functionally separted into
2 lobes: anterior (75%) and
posterior (25%); third lobe
called the pars intermedia.
The Endocrine System
The Endocrine System
A. Anterior Pituitary
 Secretion is controlled by Releasing Hormones.
 Hypothalamic-pituitary portal
HORMONES SECRETED BY THE ANTERIOR PITUITARY:
1. hGH/STH
 Growth of bones, muscles and other organs by increasing protein
synthesis (IGF’s)
 Secretory activity of hGH/STH is mediated by GHRH and GHIH.
 Dwarfism VS. Giantism
2. TSH
 Stimulates synthesis and secretion of T3 and T4.
 No Inhibiting hormone, controlled by TRH.
3. ACTH/Corticotropin
 Increase secretion of hormone in the adrenal cortex.
 Binds to melanocytes in the skin and increases skin pigmentation.
 Secretion is controlled by CRH.
The Endocrine System
The Endocrine System
4. FSH
 No inhibiting hormone, controlled by GnRH
5. LH or ICSH
 Ovulation and secretion of female hormones(EP) and males
hormone (T).
 No inhibiting hormone, controlled by GnRH.
6. Prolactin
 Breast development and milk production.
 Controlled by PIH and PRH
7. MSH
 Increases pigmentation, synthesis of melanin
The Endocrine System
The Endocrine System
B. Posterior Pituitary
 Consists of pituicytes and axon terminals of hypothalamic
neurosecretory cells forming the hypothalamohypophyseal tract.
1. Oxytocin
2. ADH/Vasopressin
 Increase water absorption of kidneys to return more water in the
blood decreasing urine volume.
The Endocrine System
II. PINEAL GLAND
 At the base of the brain
behind the third ventricle.

 Secretes the hormone melatonin.

The Endocrine System
III. THYROID GLAND
 Butterfly shaped, located
inferior to the larynx.
 2 lobes (LLL and RLL)
connected anteriorly or
centrally by the Isthmus.
2 HORMONES PRODUCED:
1. T3 and T4-thyroid follicles
2. Calcitonin-parafollicular cells
CLINICAL CONDITIONS:
1. Hypothyroidism-Cretinism,
Myxedema
2. Hyperthyroidism-Grave’s Disease
The Endocrine System
IV. PARATHYROID GLANDS
 Four (LSP, LIP, RSP, RIP)
embedded on the posterior
walls of the thyroid gland.
HORMONE PRODUCED:
1. PTH
 regulation of Ca2+, ↑absorption
in the instestines and ↑ breakdown
of bone tissue to release Ca2+ in the blood.
 released by the chief or principal cells
2. Oxyphil cell
CLINICAL CONDITIONS:
1. Hyperparathyroidism- ↑ bone resorption and ↑Ca2+
 Hypoparathyroidism-muscle cramps or tetany.
The Endocrine System
V. ADRENAL/SUPRARENAL GLANDS
 On the superior pole of the kidneys
 Has and inner (adrenal medulla) and outer (adrenal cortex)
The Endocrine System
A. ADRENAL CORTEX
 Subdivided into three zones:
 Zona Glomerulosa
 Zona Fasciculata
 Zona Reticularis
HORMONES PRODUCED:
1. Glucocorticoids
 For Carbo metabolism, formation and storage of glycogen
and Gluconeogenesis
 ↑ secretion can cause Cushing’s Syndrome.
a. Cortisol/Hydrocortisone and Corticosterone
 Secretion is stimulated by ACTH and stress.
The Endocrine System
2. Mineralocorticoids
 Electrolyte balance through absorption and excretion of Na and K
 Stimulates reabsorption of Na in the Renal Tubules, adjust BP and
blood volume and excretion of H+ to prevent Acidosis.
CLINICAL CONDITION:
1. Hypersecretion-1° Aldosteronism/ Conn’s Disease.
2. Hyposecretion-Addison’s Disease

3. Androgens
 Deposition of proteins in muscles and retention of nitrogen.
 Secretion is believed to be stimulated by ACTH.
 Major androgen secreted is Dehydroepiandrosterone.
 Important in females and plays a little role or importance in males.
The Endocrine System
B. ADRENAL MEDULLA
 Produces catecholamines (E and Ne)
 Hormone producing cells are called Chromaffin Cells.
 Secretion is controlled by Ach.
HORMONES PRODUCED;
1. Norepinephrine /Noradrenaline
 BP maintenance (vasoconstrict)except CorA.
2. Epinephrine/Adrenaline
 SNS and stress
 Principal hormone
 Fight or flight
The Endocrine System
VI. PANCREAS
 Pancreatic Islets/Islets of Langerhans
 4 Types of Cells: Alpha, Beta, Delta and F cells.
The Endocrine System
HORMONES PRODUCED:
1. Insulin
 Principal action is to ↓ blood glucose level and amino acids
 Secretion is decreased by sympathetic stimulation,
adrenaline, cortisol and somatostatin.
2. Glucagon
 Principal action is to ↑blood glucose level by converting
glycogen into glucose.
3. Somatostatin
 Inhibits secretion of Insulin and Glucagon

4. Pancretic Polypeptide
 Inhibits secretion of Somatostatin, gall bladder contraction
and secretion of pancreatic digestive enzymes.
The Endocrine System
VII. THYMUS GLAND
 Behind the sternum between
the lungs
 Immunity in function by inducing
Maturation of T cells
 Hormones produced include
Thymosin, Thymic Humoral Factor
and Thymopoetin
The Endocrine System
VII. OVARIES AND TESTES (GONADS)
1. Ovaries
a. Estrogen and Progesterone
 Along with LH and FSH, regulates menstrual cycle, maintain
pregnancy and prepare mammary gland for lactation.
 2° female characteristics
b. Inhibin-(-) FSH
c. Relaxin-↑ flexibility of pubic symphysis during pregnancy and
dilates cervix during delivery
2. Testes
a. Testosterone-descent of testes, spermatogenesis and 2° male
characteristics
b. Inhibin-(-) FSH