Endocrine System & Hormones - Fully Cross-Referenced Study Note
1. Hypothalamic Hormones (Master Regulators)
These hormones control anterior pituitary hormone secretion, which in turn controls peripheral
endocrine glands.
TRH -> Thyrotrophs -> Stimulates TSH -> T3 and T4 from thyroid gland
CRH -> Corticotrophs -> Stimulates ACTH -> Cortisol from adrenal cortex
GnRH -> Gonadotrophs -> Stimulates FSH and LH -> Gonadal hormones (estrogen, progesterone,
testosterone)
GHRH -> Somatotrophs -> Stimulates GH -> IGF-1, growth, metabolism
Somatostatin -> Inhibits GH and TSH
Dopamine -> Inhibits Prolactin -> Milk production
2. Anterior Pituitary Hormones
GH -> Liver, bone, muscle -> IGF-1, growth, metabolism (controlled by GHRH and Somatostatin)
TSH -> Thyroid -> T3 and T4 (controlled by TRH)
ACTH -> Adrenal cortex -> Cortisol (controlled by CRH)
FSH -> Gonads -> Estrogen/spermatogenesis (controlled by GnRH)
LH -> Gonads -> Progesterone/testosterone (controlled by GnRH)
Prolactin -> Mammary glands -> Milk production (inhibited by Dopamine)
3. Posterior Pituitary Hormones
ADH -> Kidneys -> Water reabsorption (regulated by plasma osmolality)
Oxytocin -> Uterus/Mammary -> Contraction/milk ejection (regulated by suckling/uterine stretch)
4. Thyroid Hormones
T3 -> Follicular -> increases BMR, growth, protein synthesis (controlled by TSH from TRH)
T4 -> Follicular -> Precursor to T3
Calcitonin -> C cells -> Lowers calcium (blood calcium regulated)
5. Parathyroid Hormone
PTH -> Parathyroid -> Raises calcium via bone/kidney/vitamin D (regulated by calcium levels)
6. Adrenal Glands
Cortex:
Cortisol -> Stress/metabolism (controlled by ACTH from CRH)
Aldosterone -> Sodium/K+ balance (regulated by Renin/RAAS)
Androgens -> Minor sex hormones (controlled by ACTH)
Medulla:
Epinephrine/Norepinephrine -> Fight-or-flight response (controlled by sympathetic nervous system)
7. Pancreas (Islets)
Insulin -> Lowers glucose (increased blood glucose)
Glucagon -> Raises glucose (decreased blood glucose)
Somatostatin -> Inhibits insulin and glucagon
Pancreatic Polypeptide -> Regulates exocrine function and appetite
8. Gonads
Ovaries:
Estrogen -> Follicle maturation, bone health (controlled by FSH from GnRH)
Progesterone -> Uterus preparation (controlled by LH from GnRH)
Testes:
Testosterone -> Male characteristics, spermatogenesis (controlled by LH from GnRH)
9. Pineal Gland
Melatonin -> Circadian rhythm (light-dark cycles)
10. Kidneys
EPO -> RBC production (low oxygen)
Calcitriol -> Increases calcium absorption (controlled by PTH)
Renin -> RAAS -> Aldosterone (regulated by blood pressure/sympathetic input)
11. Heart
ANP -> Lowers blood pressure via sodium/water excretion (regulated by atrial stretch)
12. GI Tract
Gastrin -> Increases gastric acid (food intake)
Secretin -> Stimulates pancreatic bicarbonate (acid in duodenum)
CCK -> Stimulates bile/pancreatic enzymes (fats/protein)
Ghrelin -> Stimulates appetite (empty stomach)
GLP-1 -> Increases insulin, decreases glucagon (food intake)
13. Adipose Tissue
Leptin -> Satiety (fat stores)
Adiponectin -> Increases insulin sensitivity (fat tissue)
Key Mnemonics and Cross-References:
Prolactin -> Dopamine inhibition
FSH and LH -> Gonads -> Sex hormones
TSH -> Thyroid hormones
PTH -> Independent, regulated by calcium
Calcitonin lowers calcium, PTH raises calcium
Renin is an enzyme, Aldosterone is a hormone
Leptin -> satiety, Adiponectin -> insulin sensitivity