Essentials of

Anatomy & Physiology

Fifth edition

Seeley • Stephens • Tate

Chapter 10
The Endocrine System

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1. Water balance
2. Uterine contraction
3. Growth, metabolism, and milk secretion
4. Ion regulation
5. Heart rate and blood pressure regulation
6. Blood glucose control
7. Immune system regulation
8. Reproductive function control
 Chemical
Chemical signals
signals
Chemical signals or Ligands
- Molecules released from one location that
move to another location to produce a response.

Intracellular response – produces from one part of a

cell and travel to another part of the SAME cell

Autocrine Paracrine
Neuromodulators Pheromones
 Receptors
Receptors
Chemical signals bind to proteins and
glycoproteins (RECEPTORS)
Specificity – Tendency for each receptor site
to bind to a specific chemical signal and
not the others.
Membrane-bound receptors
Extend across the cell
membrane, with their
receptor sites outside the
surface of the cell membrane
Responds to chemical signals
that are large, and water-
soluble

Intracellular receptors
Chemical signals DIFFUSES
and bind to the intracellular
receptor located at the
 Hormones
Hormones
 Hormones are distributed in the blood to all parts of the body,
but only its corresponding target tissue respond to each type of
hormone
 Influences target cells by chemically binding to their receptors.
 2,000-100,000 receptors for a particular hormone
 Hormones that pass in the blood and act on distant cells are
called Circulating hormones or ENDOCRINE
 PARACRINE - Hormones that act on neighboring cells
 AUTOCRINE – Acts on the same cell
 Local hormones usually are inactivated quickly
 Pituitary
Pituitary and
and Hypothalamus
Hypothalamus
Pituitary gland / Hypophysis –
 Small gland about the size of pea
 Rest in the depression of sphenoid bone inferior to
the hypothalamus of the brain.
 Infundibulum – Stalk connecting the pituitary
gland to the hypothalamus
 Once known as “Master Gland”
Pituitary
Pituitary and
and Hypothalamus
Hypothalamus
Hormones
Hormones of
of the
the Anterior
Anterior Pituitary
Pituitary
1. Growth hormone
2. Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
3. Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
4. Gonadotropins
a. Leutinizing hormone (LH)
b. Interstitial Cell-stimulating hormone (ISCH)
5. Prolactin
6. Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone
1. Growth Hormone
Stimulates the growth of bones, muscles, and other organs by
increasing protein synthesis.
Resist protein breakdown during periods of food deprivation
Secretion of growth hormone is controlled by 2 hormones from the
hypothalamus (releasing and inhibitory hormone)
Daily peak levels during sleep, also increases during fasting and
exercise
Dwarfism
Gigantism
• In gigantism - ACROMEGALY - facial
features and hands become abnormally large
• Somatomedins – Protein chemical signal
which together with Growth hormone to bind
to the receptors of bone and cartilage tissues to
stimulate growth
2. Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Binds on Membrane-bound receptors of the
thyroid gland, causes to secrete thyroid
hormones.
↑ TSH- Thyroid gland enlarges
3. Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
 Binds on Membrane-bound receptors on the cells in
cortex of adrenal glands.
 Increases secretion of Cortisol ( hydrocortisone),
which keeps the adrenal cortex from degenerating
 Binds to melanocytes and increase skin pigmentation.
 ↑ ACTH - Darkening of the skin
4. Gonadotropins
Leutinizing hormone (LH)
Interstitial Cell-stimulating hormone (ISCH)
Binds on Membrane-bound receptors of the gonads.
Regulates growth, development and of functions of
gonads
Leutinizing hormone (LH) – Ovulation of oocytes and the
secretion of estrogen and progesterone from ovaries
Interstitial Cell-stimulating hormone (ISCH) – stimulates
interstitial cells of the testes to secrete testosterone.
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone – Stimulates
the development of follicles in the
ovaries and sperm cells in the testes.
5. Prolactin
Binds on Membrane-bound receptors in the cells of
the Breast, during pregnancy and stimulates the
production of milk.

6. Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone
Binds on Membrane-bound receptors on
melanocytes and causes them to
synthesize melanin.
↑ ACTH - Darkening of the skin
Hormones
Hormones of
of the
the Posterior
Posterior Pituitary
Pituitary
1. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Binds to Membrane-bound receptors and increases
water reabsorption by kidney tubules. Resulting to
less water lost in urine.
Can cause blood vessels to constrict (vasopressin)

2. Oxytoxin
Binds on Membrane-bound receptors and
causes Uterine contraction and milk
ejection (milk let-down)
 Thyroid
Thyroid Gland
Gland
• Made up of 2 lobes connected by the isthmus
• Located on either side of trachea, just below the
larynx
• Largest endocrine gland
• Thyroid follicles – small spheres with walls that
consist of simple cuboidal epithelium
• Each follicle is filled with protein to which
thyroid hormones attached.
Thyroid Hormones
Binds to intracellular receptors in cells and regulate the rate
of metabolism in the body.
Participates in normal rate of growth and development.
Hypothyroidism
Infants – Cretinism - Mentally retarded and short in stature,
with abnormally formed skeletal structures.
Adults – reduced rate of metabolism
sluggishness, reduced ability to perform
routine task.
Hyperthyroidism
Elevated rate of metabolism, extreme nervousness, and
chronic fatigue.
Grave’s disease – bulging of the eyes (exopthalmia).

Thyroid gland requires iodine to synthesize thyroid

hormone.
Iodine is taken up by thyroid follicles, hormone synthesis
Thyroxine / tetraiodothyronine (T4)
Triiodothyronine (T3)
Lack of iodine results in reduced T3
and T4 synthesis
 Para-thyroid
Para-thyroid Gland
Gland
• Embedded in posterior wall of the thyroid gland
• Secretes parathyroid hormone (PTH)
– Regulation of blood calcium
– Increases the absorption of Ca+ from the intestine
by causing an increase in active vitamin D formation
Hyperparathyroidism
Elevated Blood Ca+ results in nerve and muscle less
excitable, resulting in fatigue and muscle weakness
Hypoparathryroidism
Reduced Vitamin D formation. Nerves and muscles
become more excitable and produce spontaneous
action potential. Frequent muscle cramps or tetanus
Hyperparathyroidism
Bones become soft,
deformed and easily
fractured
 Adrenal
Adrenal Glands
Glands
1. Adrenal Medulla – Inner part
1. Epinephrine (adrenaline)
2. Norephinephrine
2. Adrenal Cortex – Outer part
Adrenal Medulla – Inner part (narrow or middle)
Secretes Epinephrine (adrenaline) and small amounts
of Norephinephrine
Released in response to stimulation of Sympathetic
nervous system
Fight or Flight hormones
Fig. 10.18
 Pancreas,
Pancreas, Insulin,
Insulin, Diabetes
Diabetes
• Endocrine part consist of pancreatic islets a.k.a.
“Islets of Langerhans” – has two types of cells.
• Alpha cells – secrete glucagon
• Beta cells – secrete insulin
• A decline in the blood glucose below the normal
range causes the nervous system to
malfunction (Glucose is the Nervous
system’s main source of energy)
Insulin – Released in response the elevated blood
glucose levels and increased sympathetic
stimulation.
• The major target of insulin are the liver, adipose
tissue, muscles, and the area of the hypothalamus that
controls the appetite, satiety center.
Diabetes Mellitus – Result from: (1) secretion of too little
insulin from pancreas, (2) Insufficient numbers of
insulin receptors on target cells, and (3) defective
receptors that do not respond normally to insulin.
Triad of Diabetes Mellitus
1. Polyuria - ↑ urination
2. Polyphagia - ↑ food intake
3. Polydypsia - ↑ water intake
(Diabetes Mellitus)
Hyperglycemia- Tissues cannot take up glucose effectively,
causing blood glucose to become very high.

Polyphagia – Glucose cannot enter cells of the satiety center

of the brain without insulin, the brain responds as if
there were little blood glucose, resulting in exaggerated
appetite.
Polyuria – Excess of glucose in the blood is
excreted in the urine, thus…
Polydypsia – Because of polyuria, the person
becomes dehydrated and thirsty, thus
the need to drink often.
 Testes
Testes and
and Ovaries
Ovaries
Testosterone – Main sex hormone in male
Responsible for the growth and
development of male reproductive
structures, muscle enlargement, growth of
body hair, voice changes and male sexual
drives.
Estrogen & Progesterone
• Development of female reproductive structures
and sexual characteristics
• Enlarges the breast and distribute fat, which
influences the shape of the hips, breast, and
thighs.
• Maintains menstrual cycle
 Thymus
Thymus Gland
Gland
• Lies at the upper part of the thoracic cavity
• Plays an important role in immune system
• Thymosin – Helps in the development of T-Cells
(helps protect the body against infection by foreign
organism)
• Most important in early life.
 Pineal
Pineal Body
Body
• Small pinecone-shaped structure located superior
and posterior to the thalamus of the brain.
• Melatonin – decrease secretion of LH and FSH by
decreasing release of hypothalamic-releasing
hormones. Acts to inhibit reproductive system
Thank You…

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