University of Information

Technology and Communication

Biomedical Informatics college
Bioinformatics Department

Endocrinology
Prepared By Supervised By
Mustafa Marwan M.M. Omar Ahmed
Hawraa Basim
Tabark Mustafa
Jafer Mohammed
Endocrinology
• Endocrinology is the study of the endocrine system in the
human body.
• The endocrine system is a system that consists of a group
of glands.
• The glands coordinate the operations of the human body
through the secretion of chemical compounds called
hormones, which are released into the blood to reach the
various parts and cells of the body through the circulatory
system.
• Growth, metabolism, mood control and many other
processes, and some of these functions can be done in
cooperation with other organs in the body such as the
kidneys, liver, heart, and gonads.
Endocrine System
• The endocrine system is a system that consists
of a group of glands.
• The endocrine glands are a specialized group
of cells that secrete substances called
hormones, and these hormones have a major
effect on the rest of the cells of the body, as
they secrete these hormones directly into the
bloodstream, where they reach the target cells
of the body, hence the name endocrine.
• The major glands of the endocrine system
include the pineal gland, pituitary gland,
pancreas, ovaries, testes, thyroid gland,
parathyroid gland, hypothalamus and adrenal
glands.
Endocrine Glands
• Pineal gland: Is a small pine seed-shaped,
endocrine gland in the brain cavity.
• One function of the pineal gland is to produce
melatonin. A hormone that has various
functions in the central nervous system. Helps
regulate the functioning of the human body
and aids sleep.
• The pineal gland is one of the areas of the
brain that does not contain the blood-brain
barrier, in order to facilitate the excretion of
the hormones of this gland into the blood.
• Blood-brain barrier: A network of blood vessels and tissue
that is made up of closely spaced cells and helps keep
harmful substances from reaching the brain.
Endocrine Glands
• Pituitary: Pituitary gland (also known as
hypophysis) is a small, pea-sized gland located at
the base of the brain below the hypothalamus.
• Secretes 9 different hormones, which affect
many different areas of the body, including:
• Growth
• Metabolism
• Blood pressure
• Thyroid gland function
• Breast milk production
• Temperature regulation
• Regulation of Pregnancy
• Water regulation in the body (kidneys)
• Sex organ functions in both men and women
Endocrine Glands
• Thyroid: The thyroid is in the front part of
the lower neck. It's shaped like a bow tie
or butterfly.
• It makes two hormones that are secreted
into the blood: thyroxine (T4) and
triiodothyronine (T3).
• These hormones are necessary for all the
cells in the body to work normally.
• The more thyroid hormone there is in the
bloodstream, the faster chemical reactions happen in
the body.
Endocrine Glands
• Parathyroid glands: They are small endocrine glands in the
neck of humans and other quadrupeds that produce
parathyroid hormone.
• People usually have four parathyroid glands, located
variably on the back of the thyroid gland.
• Parathyroid hormone and calcitonin (one of the
hormones made by the thyroid gland) have major
roles in regulating the amount of calcium in the blood
and within the bones.
• The main function of the parathyroid glands is to keep
the levels of calcium and phosphate in the body within a very
narrow range, so that the nervous and muscular systems
can function properly.
The parathyroid glands do this by secreting parathyroid
hormone (PTH).
Endocrine Glands
• The thymus gland: Is a gland located between the
lungs.
• Its importance revolves around the early
stages of fetal development and during the
first period after birth, it disappears.
• The thymus is the source of the immune
cells responsible for the formation of
antibodies.
• There are a number of hormones that secrete and
help in the rejection of mobile bodies.
• These hormones include thymosin, lymphocyte-stimulating
hormone and other hormones and they work to increase
them.
 Endocrine Glands
• Adrenal glands: In the human body there are two adrenal
glands, each located above the kidney.
• The adrenal gland is an endocrine gland, which
means that its function includes the production
of certain hormones in the body, including:
- Adrenaline and stimulants such as aldosterone.
• Aldosterone: Aldosterone is a steroid
hormone secreted by adrenal glands.
• Its main role is to regulate salt and water in
the body, thus having an effect on blood
pressure.
Endocrine Glands
• Pancreas: The pancreas is a gland organ. It is
located in the abdomen behind the stomach.
• The pancreas is a mixed or heterocrine gland, it has
both an endocrine and a digestive exocrine function.
• As an endocrine gland, it functions mostly to regulate
blood sugar levels, secreting the hormones insulin,
glucagon, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide.
- Insulin: Moves glucose from the blood into muscles
and other tissues, for use as energy.
- Helps the liver absorb glucose, storing it as glycogen in
case the body needs energy during stress or exercise.
• The pancreas secretes many enzymes including:
- Amylase to break down carbohydrates.
- Trypsin and chymotrypsin to digest proteins.
- Lipase, to break down fats into fatty acids and cholesterol.
Endocrine Glands
• Reproductive glands: considered genital glands of
male and female of the endocrine glands.
• Play an important role in maintaining the human race
through the secretion of hormones androgens in males
and in females estrogen and progesterone and their role
in the foundation of the production of sperm in males and
eggs in females.
• The ovaries are the main responsible for the production of
these hormones in females (estrogen and progesterone)
and are responsible for regulating sexual activity
• Estrogen and Progesterone have many functions including:
- Organizing the reproductive cycle.
- Preservation of pregnancy.
- Involves in the growth of ovarian follicles.
- prepares the uterus to receive fetal evidence
Disorders of Endocrine System
• Diabetes: This endocrine disorder affects the way our body uses
the energy from the food we eat. Diabetes develops when the
pancreas doesn’t make enough of a hormone called insulin, or
insulin doesn’t work as it should.
• Thyroid disorders: Several conditions can affect the function of the
thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism happens when the thyroid doesn’t
produce enough hormones. Hyperthyroidism occurs when it
creates too many hormones.
• Hypogonadism: (low testosterone): In men, hypogonadism can
cause erectile dysfunction. It can also cause memory and
concentration problems, changes in muscle strength and low sex
drive. It happens when the testes do not produce enough of the
sex hormone testosterone.
Disorders of Endocrine System
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): A hormonal imbalance causes
women with PCOS to have irregular periods, abnormal hair growth,
excess acne and weight gain. It can lead to diabetes, increased risk
of metabolic syndrome and infertility.
• Osteoporosis: When a woman’s ovaries don’t produce enough
estrogen, bones become brittle and weak. Although it is more
common in women, men sometimes have osteoporosis when
testosterone levels get too low. People with an overactive parathyroid
gland (hyperparathyroidism) may also have weak bones.
- Chemicals called endocrine disrupters can also affect the endocrine
system. These chemicals appear everywhere - in pesticides, plastics,
cosmetics and even our food and water. Endocrine disrupters cause
a wide range of problems throughout the body by changing how
hormones send messages.
How to Keep My Endocrine System Healthy
• Some endocrine problems, like type 1 diabetes, can't be
prevented. But there are things you can do to prevent other
problems or make them better:
- Stay at a healthy weight. Eat healthy foods and get plenty of
exercise. This can help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.
- Include iodine in your diet. It can help prevent thyroid
problems. When you use salt, choose iodized salt over other
kinds of salt.
- Make sure all your doctors know about any hormones you're
taking. These may include birth control medicine, thyroid
hormone, insulin, or hormone therapy for menopause.
Thank You