ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

▪ Endocrine gland : These are those glands which release hormones directly into
bloodstream.
▪ These are ductless glands , which regulate metabolic process, growth and
development.
▪ Eg . Pituitary glands , Thyroid glands, adrenal glands etc.
▪ The branch of science that deals with the study of Endocrine system is known as
endocrinology.
VARIOUS ENDOCRINE GLANDS
▪ There are various endocrine glands:
▪ [Link] gland
▪ 2. Thyroid gland
▪ [Link] gland
▪ 4 Pancreas
▪ [Link] gland
▪ [Link] gland
▪ 7. Thymus gland
▪ [Link]
▪ 9. Hypothalamus
HORMONES
▪ Hormones: These are chemical messenger that are produced from a glands in the
body that trasmit or convey messages from one cell to another.
▪ Hormones reaches to it’s target site through blood circulation.
▪ The main function of hormones is to control and co-ordinate different functions of
tissues and organs .
▪ Also helps in growth and development
CLASSIFICATION OF HORMONES
▪ On the basis of chemical composition, Hormones are categorised into two types :-
▪ 1. Lipid-, soluble hormones – These are lipid soluble, which includes :-
▪ •steroid hormones ([Link] , testosterone)
▪ • Thyroid hormones (eg. T3 and T4)
▪ 2. Water-soluble hormones – These are water soluble, which includes :-
▪ •Amine hormones (eg. Epinephrine ,Nor-epinehrine)
▪ •Peptide hormones (eg. Insulin, growth hormone,ACTH,TSH)
▪ •Protein hormones (eg. Luteinizing hormones, FSH)
MECHANISM OF HORMONES ACTION
▪ [Link] of hormone
▪ Hormones are released from endocrine glands into the bloodstream.
▪ [Link]
▪ Blood carries the hormone to the target organ or tissue.
▪ [Link] to receptor
▪ The hormone binds to a specific receptor on the target cell.
▪ [Link] transmission
▪ The hormone-receptor interaction produces signals inside the cell.
▪ [Link] response
▪ The cell responds by changing its activity, such as metabolism, growth, secretion, or
gene expression.
PITUITARY GLANDS
▪ *• PITUITORY GLAND :-*
▪ √ The Pituitary Gland Is Located At The Base Of The Human Brain.
▪ √ The Gland Consist Of Two Parts:-
▪ 1.. The Anterior Lobe [Adenony Pophysis]
▪ 2.. The Post Erior Lobe
▪ [Neurohypophysis]
▪ --The Anterior Lobe Secretes at least Seven Hormone The Growth Hormone (HGH) Promotes
Body Growth By Accelerating Protein Synthesis.
▪ -- This Hormone Is Also Known As Somatotropin.
▪ -- Another Hormone Of The Anterior Pituitary is Prolactin Also Called Lactogenic Hormone
(LH).
▪ --These Hormones Promotes Breast Development And Milk Secretion In Femals.
▪ -- A Third Hormone In Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) This Hormone Controls The
Secretion Of Hormones From The Adrenal Gland.
THYROID GLANDS
▪ The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located in the front of the
neck, just below the larynx (voice box) and in front of the trachea (windpipe)
STRUCTURE OF THYROID GLAND
PARATHYROID GLANDS
▪ Anatomy :
▪ There are four small parathyroid glands, each weighing around 50 g, two
embedded in the posterior surface of each lobe of the thyroid gland.
▪ They are surrounded by fine connective tissue capsules that contain spherical cells
arranged in columns with sinusoids containing blood in between them.
▪ Hormone & Function
▪ Parathyroid Hormone (PTH):
▪ Increases blood calcium (Ca²⁺) level by:
▪ Acting on bones → releases calcium
▪ Acting on kidneys → reduces calcium loss in urine
▪ Increasing intestinal absorption (via Vitamin D)
▪ Functions
▪ Maintains calcium & phosphate balance
▪ Essential for:
▪ Bone health
▪ Muscle contraction
▪ Nerve function
▪ Location
▪ Usually 4 small glands located on the posterior surface of the thyroid gland in the
neck.
ADRENAL GLANDS
▪ *Structure :*
▪ There are two adrenal glands situated on the top of each kidney.
▪ It is therefore, named as suprarenal gland.
▪ They fit like a cap on each side kidney.
▪ Adrenal gland is divided into two parts, the cortex and medulla.
▪ Whole gland is covered by connective tissue capsule which sends trabeculae
inside.
▪ Location
▪ A pair of glands located on top of each kidney.
▪ Each adrenal gland has two main parts:
▪ *Cortex (outer region) – 3 layers:*
▪ Zona glomerulosa
▪ Zona fasciculata
▪ Zona reticularis
▪ *Medulla (inner region)*
▪ Functions :-
▪ Maintains homeostasis
▪ Controls stress response
▪ Regulates blood pressure & metabolism
PANCREAS
▪ Structure of Pancreas :-
▪ •The pancreas is about 12–15 cm long and is divided into three parts:
▪ [Link] – Broad part located within the curve of the duodenum.
▪ [Link] – Middle portion extending across the abdomen.
▪ [Link] – Narrow end extending toward the spleen.
FUNCTIONS OF PANCREAS
▪ 1. Exocrine Function :-
▪ Produces pancreatic juice containing digestive enzymes:
▪ •Amylase – Digests carbohydrates.
▪ •Lipase – Digests fats.
▪ •Trypsin and Chymotrypsin – Digest proteins.
▪ •Bicarbonate ions – Neutralize acidic food entering the duodenum.
▪ 2. Endocrine Function :-
▪ Produces hormones that regulate blood glucose levels:
▪ •Insulin – Lowers blood sugar level.
▪ •Glucagon – Raises blood sugar level.
▪ •Somatostatin – Regulates secretion of insulin and glucagon.
THYMUS
▪ Structure of the Thymus
▪ [Link]: Situated in the upper chest (anterior mediastinum), just behind the sternum and above
the heart.
▪ [Link] & Size: Bilobed organ; relatively large in infants and children, but gradually shrinks
(involution) after puberty.
▪ [Link] & Lobules: Covered by a connective tissue capsule that divides it into small lobules.
▪ [Link] Regions:
▪ [Link] (outer region):
▪ •Densely packed with immature T cells (thymocytes)
▪ •Site of early T-cell development
▪ [Link] (inner region):
▪ •Contains fewer, more mature T cells
▪ •Characterized by Hassall’s corpuscles (concentric epithelial structures unique to the thymus)
 FUNCTION OF THE THYMUS
▪ The thymus is central to immune education and tolerance.
▪ 1. T-Cell Maturation
▪ •Immature lymphocytes from the bone marrow migrate to the thymus.
▪ •Here they differentiate into functional T cells capable of recognizing antigens.
▪ 2. Positive Selection
▪ •Occurs in the cortex.
▪ •Ensures T cells can recognize self-MHC molecules.
▪ •Cells that fail to recognize self-MHC die
▪ 3. Negative Selection
▪ •Occurs mainly in the medulla.
▪ •Eliminates T cells that strongly react to the body’s own tissues.
▪ •Prevents autoimmunity.
▪ 4. Hormone Secretion
▪ •Produces thymic hormones such as:
▪ [Link]
▪ [Link]
▪ [Link]
▪ •These regulate T-cell development and immune function.
THANK YOUU