LESSON ASSIGNMENT

LESSON 10 The Human Endocrine System.

TEXT ASSIGNMENT Paragraphs 10-1 through 10-18.

LESSON OBJECTIVES After completing this lesson, you should be able to:

10-1. Define endocrine glands, hormones, target

organs, and feedback mechanism.

10-2. Briefly describe three different control systems

of the human body.

10-3. Briefly describe the endocrine system and

name six better known endocrine organs.

10-4. Describe the pituitary body, including its

location, its major subdivisions, and the origins
and hormones of each subdivision.

10-5. Describe the location, structure, and

hormone(s) for each of the following:

a. The thyroid gland.

b. The parathyroid glands.
c. The pancreatic islets.
d. The suprarenal glands.

10-6. Name the primary sex organs and the sex

hormones for each gender.

SUGGESTION After completing the assignment, complete the

exercises at the end of this lesson. These exercises
will help you to achieve the lesson objectives.

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 LESSON 10

THE HUMAN ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

Section I. INTRODUCTION

10-1. DEFINITIONS

ENDO = internal
CRINE = secrete

a. The endocrine glands are glands of internal secretion (rather than external,
as seen with the sweat glands and digestive glands).

b. This internal secretion results from the fact that these glands have no ducts.
Thus, they are often referred to as the ductless glands.

c. The secretions produced by the endocrine glands are called hormones.

d. Hormones are carried by the bloodstream to specific organs or tissues,

which are then called the target organs.

e. The activity of the target organ, in turn, affects the activity of the endocrine
organ. Thus, it is a reverse or feedback mechanism.

10-2. GENERAL

a. Control "Systems" of the Human Body. The structure and function of the
human body is controlled and organized by several different "systems."

(1) Heredity/environment. The interaction of heredity and environment is

the fundamental control "system." Genes determine the range of potentiality and
environment develops it. For example, good nutrition will allow a person to attain his full
body height and weight within the limits of his genetic determination. Genetics is the
study of heredity.

(2) Hormones. The hormones of the endocrine system serve to control the
tissues and organs in general. (Vitamins have a similar role.) Both hormones and
vitamins are chemical substances required only in small quantities.

(3) Nervous system. More precise and immediate control of the structures
of the body is carried out by the nervous system.

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 b. The Endocrine System. In the human body, the endocrine system consists
of a number of ductless glands producing their specific hormones. Because these
hormones are carried to their target organs by the bloodstream, the endocrine organs
(glands) are richly supplied with blood vessels.

c. Better Known Endocrine Organs of Humans. The better known endocrine

organs are the:

(1) Pituitary body.

(2) Thyroid gland.

(3) Parathyroid glands.

(4) Pancreatic islets (islands of Langerhans).

(5) Suprarenal (adrenal) glands.

(6) Gonads (female--ovaries; male--testes).

In addition, there are several other endocrine organs, less well understood, and other
organs suspected to be of the endocrine type. See figure 10-1, which shows the better
known endocrine glands and their locations.

Figure 10-1. The endocrine glands of the human body and their locations.

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 Section II. THE PITUITARY BODY

10-3. GENERAL

a. Location. The pituitary body is a small pea-sized and pea- shaped

structure. It is attached to the base of the brain in the region of the hypothalamus (see
para 11-9). In addition, it is housed within a hollow of the bony floor of the cranial
cavity. This hollow is called the sella turcica ("Turk's saddle").

b. Major Subdivisions. The pituitary body is actually two glands-- the poste-
rior pituitary gland and the anterior pituitary gland. Initially separate, these glands join
together during development of the embryo.

10-4. POSTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND

The posterior pituitary gland is the portion which comes from and retains a direct
connection with the base of the brain. The hormones of the posterior pituitary gland are
actually produced in the hypothalamus of the brain. From the hypothalamus, the
hormones are delivered to the posterior pituitary gland, where they are released into the
bloodstream. At present, we recognize two hormones of the posterior pituitary gland.

a. ADH (Antidiuretic Hormone). ADH is involved with the resorption or

salvaging of water within the kidneys. ADH is produced under thirst conditions.

b. Oxytocin. Oxytocin is concerned with contractions of smooth muscle in

the uterus and with milk secretion.

10-5. ANTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND

a. The anterior pituitary gland originates from the roof of the embryo's mouth. It
then "attaches" itself to the posterior pituitary gland.

b. The anterior pituitary gland is indirectly connected to the hypothalamus by

means of a venous portal system. By "portal," we mean that the veins carry substances
from the capillaries at one point to the capillaries at another point (hypothalamus to the
anterior pituitary gland).

c. In the hypothalamus, certain chemicals known as releasing factors are

produced. These are carried by the portal system to the anterior pituitary gland. Here,
they stimulate the cells of the anterior pituitary gland to secrete their specific hormones.

d. The anterior pituitary gland produces many hormones. In general, they

stimulate the target organs to develop or produce their own products. This stimulating
effect is referred to as trophic.

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 e. Of the many hormones produced by the anterior pituitary gland, we will
examine:

(1) Somatotrophic hormone (growth hormone). The target organs of this

hormone are the growing structures of the body. This hormone influences such
structures to grow.

(2) ACTH (adrenocorticotrophic hormone). This hormone of the anterior

pituitary gland stimulates the cortex of the suprarenal (adrenal) gland to produce its
hormones. We will later see that the hormones of the suprarenal cortex are involved
with anti-inflammatory reactions of the body.

(3) Thyrotropin (TSH). This hormone stimulates the thyroid gland

to produce its hormones.

(4) Luteinizing hormone (LH). LH stimulates ovulation and luteinization of

ovarian follicles in females and promotes testosterone production in males.

(5) Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). FSH stimulates ovarian follicle

growth in females and stimulates spermatogenesis in males.

(6) Prolactin. Prolactin stimulates milk production and maternal behavior in

females.

Section III. THE THYROID GLAND

10-6. LOCATION

The thyroid gland is in the neck region just below the larynx and surrounds the
trachea.

10-7. ANATOMY

a. The right and left thyroid lobes are the masses on either side of the trachea.
The isthmus is found across the front of the trachea and connects the two lobes.

b. Each lobe of the thyroid gland is supplied by arteries from above and below
(superior and inferior thyroid arteries).

10-8. HORMONES

The primary hormone of the thyroid gland is thyroxin. Thyroxin affects the basal
metabolic rate (BMR), the level of activity of the body. Since iodine is a necessary ele-
ment in the production of thyroxin, one can observe malformations of the thyroid gland

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(called goiters) where there is little or no iodine available. A second hormone, calcito-
nin, is produced by the thyroid gland and it is involved with calcium metabolism in the
body.

Section IV. THE PARATHYROID GLANDS

10-9. LOCATION AND STRUCTURE

Located on the posterior aspects of the thyroid lobes are two pairs of small
round masses of tissue, known as the parathyroid glands.

10-10. HORMONE

The hormone produced by these glands is called parathyroid hormone, or

parathormone. It is involved with calcium metabolism.

Section V. THE PANCREATIC ISLETS (ISLANDS OF LANGERHANS)

10-11. LOCATION AND STRUCTURE

Within the substance of the pancreas are distributed small groups of cells known
as islets. Although the pancreas is a ducted gland of the digestive system, these
isolated islets are, in fact, ductless glands.

10-12. HORMONES

Insulin and glucagon are the two most commonly recognized hormones of the
islets. These hormones are involved with glucose metabolism.

Section VI. THE SUPRARENAL (ADRENAL) GLANDS

10-13. LOCATION AND STRUCTURE

Embedded in the fat above each kidney is a suprarenal gland. Both suprarenal
glands have an internal medulla and an external cortex.

10-14. HORMONES OF THE SUPRARENAL MEDULLA

The medullary portion of each suprarenal gland produces a pair of

hormones--epinephrine (adrenalin) and norepinephrine (noradrenalin). These

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hormones are involved in the mobilization of energy during the stress reaction ("fight or
flight").

10-15. HORMONES OF THE SUPRARENAL CORTEX

Each suprarenal cortex produces a variety of hormones which can be grouped

into three categories:

a. Mineralocorticoids (for example, aldosterone), which are concerned with

the electrolytes of the body.

b. Glucocorticoids (for example, cortisol), which are concerned with many

metabolic functions and are anti-inflammatory in nature.

c. Sex hormones. Adrenal androgens and estrogens.

Section VII. THE GONADS

10-16. GENERAL

In humans, the primary sex organs are known as gonads (lesson 8). The
gonads produce sex cells (gametes) and sex hormones. These sex hormones are in
addition to those produced by the suprarenal cortex (see para 10-15c).

10-17. FEMALE SEX HORMONES

In the female, the ovaries produce two types of sex hormones during the men-
strual cycle. During the first half of the cycle (days 1 - 14), the estrogens are produced.
During the last half of the cycle (days 15 - 28), progesterone is produced. These hor-
mones are concerned with female sexuality and with the preparation of female sex
organs for reproduction.

10-18. MALE SEX HORMONES

In the male, certain cells of the testes produce the male sex hormones known as
androgens (for example, testosterone). Androgens are concerned with male sexuality.

Continue with Exercises

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MD0006 10-7
EXERCISES, LESSON 10

REQUIREMENT. The following exercises are to be answered by completing the

incomplete statement or by writing the answer in the space provided at the end of the
question.

After you have completed all the exercises, turn to "Solutions to Exercises," at the
end of the lesson and check your answers.

1. Endocrine glands are glands of l secretion. These glands are also

called less glands. Hormones are the secretions produced by glands.
Target organs are the specific organs or tissues to which s are carried by the
. This is a feedback mechanism because the activity of the target organ
affects the activity of the .

2. The fundamental control "system" is the interaction of ________________

and . Genes determine the range of .
Environment s it. Controlling the tissues and organs in general are the
s of the system. Providing more precise and immediate
control of the body structures is the system.

3. Why are endocrine organs (glands) richly supplied with blood vessels?

4. Name six of the better known endocrine organs.

a. .

b. .

c. .

d. .

e. .

f. .

MD0006 10-8
 5. The pituitary body is a small -sized and -shaped structure. It is
attached to the base of the brain in the region of the h . In addition, it is
housed within a hollow of the bony floor of the cavity. The pituitary body is
actually two glands: the pituitary gland and the pituitary gland.

6. The posterior pituitary gland is that portion of the pituitary body which comes
from and retains its connection with the . The hormones of
the posterior pituitary gland are actually produced in the h of the brain. The
two recognized hormones of the posterior pituitary gland are (a
hormone) and . The first is involved with the of water within
the kidneys; it is produced under conditions. The second is concerned with
contractions of smooth muscle in the and with production.

7. The anterior pituitary gland originates from the roof of the embryo's
. It then attaches itself to the gland. By means of
a venous portal system, the anterior pituitary gland is connected to the h .
Here, certain chemicals known as r f are produced. These are
carried to the anterior pituitary by the system. They stimulate the
anterior pituitary gland's cells to secrete their specific . In turn, these
hormones stimulate the target organs to produce their own products. This stimulating
effect is referred to as . Two hormones produced by the anterior
pituitary gland are trophic hormone and ( trophic hormone).
The target organs of the first are the ing structures of the body. The
second stimulates the cortex of the ( ) gland to produce its hormones.

8. The thyroid gland is in the region just below the and

surrounds the . The masses on either side of the trachea are the right and left
thyroid . The tissue connecting the two lobes is called the . It is found
across the front of the . Each lobe of the thyroid gland is supplied by
the superior and inferior arteries. The primary hormone of the thyroid gland
is , which affects the ( ), the level of
activity of the body.

9. Where are the parathyroid glands located?

The hormone produced by these glands is called hormone or

. It is involved with metabolism.

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 10. Within the pancreas are distributed small groups of cells known as .
The two most commonly recognized hormones of the islets are and
. These hormones are involved with metabolism.

11. The suprarenal glands are embedded in the fat above the ____________
on each side. Each suprarenal gland has an internal and an external
. The inner portion produces a pair of hormones:
e ( ) and n ( ). These
are involved in the mobilization of during the stress reaction (" or
"). Each suprarenal cortex produces hormones which can be grouped into
three different categories:

a. M s (for example, aldosterone), which are

concerned with the of the body.

b. G s (for example, cortisol), which are concerned with

many metabolic functions and are anti- in nature.

c. hormones.

12. In humans, the primary sex organs are known as s. These organs
produce cells ( ) and sex s.

13. During the first half of the menstrual cycle, the ovaries produce s.
During the second half, they produce e. These hormones are concerned
with female y and with the preparation of female sex s
for reproduction.

14. The testes produce the male sex hormones known as (for
example, ). These hormones are concerned with male .

Check Your Answers on Next Page

MD0006 10-10
SOLUTIONS TO EXERCISES, LESSON 10

1. Endocrine glands are glands of internal secretion. These glands are also called
ductless glands. Hormones are the secretions produced by endocrine glands.
Target organs are the specific organs or tissues to which hormones are carried by
the bloodstream. This is a feedback mechanism because the activity of the target
organ affects the activity of the endocrine organ. (para 10-1)

2. The fundamental control "system" is the interaction of heredity and environment.

Genes determine the range of potentiality. Environment develops it. Controlling
the tissues and organs in general are the hormones of the endocrine system.
Providing more precise and immediate control of the body structures is the
nervous system. (para 10-2a)

3. Endocrine organs are richly supplied with blood vessels because hormones must
be carried to their target organs by the bloodstream. (para 10-2b)

4. a. Pituitary body.
b. Thyroid gland.
c. Parathyroid glands.
d. Pancreatic islets.
e. Suprarenal (adrenal) glands.
f. Gonads (female--ovaries, male--testes). (para 10-2c)

5. The pituitary body is a small pea-sized and pea-shaped structure. It is attached to

the base of the brain in the region of the hypothalamus. In addition, it is housed
within a hollow of the bony floor of the cranial cavity. The pituitary body is actually
two glands: the posterior pituitary gland and the anterior pituitary gland.
(para 10-3)

6. The posterior pituitary gland is that portion of the pituitary body which comes from
and retains its connection with the base of the brain. The hormones of the
posterior pituitary gland are actually produced in the hypothalamus of the brain.
The two recognized hormones of the posterior pituitary gland are ADH (antidiuretic
hormone) and oxytocin. The first is involved with the resorption or salvaging of
water within the kidneys; it is produced under thirst conditions. The second is
concerned with contraction of smooth muscle in the uterus and with milk
production. (para 10-4)

MD0006 10-11
7. The anterior pituitary gland originates from the roof of the embryo's mouth. It then
attaches itself to the posterior pituitary gland. By means of a venous portal
system, the anterior pituitary gland is connected to the hypothalamus. Here,
certain chemicals known as releasing factors are produced. These are carried to
the anterior pituitary by the venous portal system. They stimulate the anterior
pituitary gland's cells to secrete their specific hormones. In turn, these hormones
stimulate the target organs to produce their own products. This stimulating effect
is referred to as trophic. Two of the hormones produced by the anterior pituitary
gland are somatotrophic hormone and ACTH (adrenocorticotrophic hormone).
The target organs of the first are the growing structures of the body. The second
stimulates the cortex of the suprarenal (adrenal) gland to produce its own
hormones. (para 10-5)

8. The thyroid gland is in the neck region just below the larynx and surrounds the
trachea. The masses on either side of the trachea are the right and left thyroid
lobes. The tissue connecting the two lobes is called the isthmus. It is found
across the front of the trachea. Each lobe of the thyroid gland is supplied by the
superior and inferior thyroid arteries. The primary hormone of the thyroid gland is
thyroxin, which affects the basal metabolic rate (BMR), the level of activity of the
body. (paras 10-6--10-8)

9. The parathyroid glands are located on the posterior aspects of the thyroid lobes.
The hormone produced by these glands is called parathyroid hormone or
parathormone. It is involved with calcium metabolism. (paras 10-9, 10-10)

10. Within the pancreas are distributed small groups of cells known as islets. The two
most commonly recognized hormones of the islets are insulin and glucagon.
Theses hormones are involved with glucose metabolism. (paras 10-11, 10-12)

11. The suprarenal glands are embedded in the fat above the kidney on each side.
Each suprarenal gland has an internal medulla and an external cortex. The inner
portion produces a pair of hormones: epinephrine (adrenalin) and norepinephrine
(noradrenalin). These are involved in the mobilization of energy during the stress
reaction ("fight or flight"). Each suprarenal cortex produces hormones which can
be grouped into three different categories:

a. Mineralocorticoids (for example, aldosterone), which are concerned with the

electrolytes of the body.

b. Glucocorticoids (for example, cortisol), which are concerned with many

metabolic functions and are anti-inflammatory in nature.

c. Sex hormones. (paras 10-13--10-15)

12. In humans, the primary sex organs are known as gonads. These organs produce
sex cells (gametes) and sex hormones. (para 10-16)

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13. During the first half of the menstrual cycle, the ovaries produce estrogens. During
the second half, they produce progesterone. These hormones are concerned with
female sexuality and with the preparation of female sex organs for reproduction.
(para 10-17)

14. The testes produce the male sex hormones known as androgens (for example,
testosterone). These hormones are concerned with male sexuality. (para 10-18)

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MD0006 10-13