ENDOCRINE SYSTEM REVIEWER
📌 Overview
• System of widely distributed glands that secrete hormones into the blood.
• Hormones bind to receptors in target organs and cause specific responses.
Types of Hormones:
1. Peptide/Protein hormones
2. Lipid/Steroid hormones
🧠 Hormonal Regulation
• Controlled by Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Endocrine Axis
• Exception: Pancreas and Parathyroid gland (work independently)
🔬 Endocrine Glands
1. Pituitary gland (Anterior & Posterior)
2. Pineal gland
3. Thyroid gland
4. Parathyroid glands
5. Adrenal glands
6. Pancreas
7. Gonads – testes & ovaries
🧩 Pituitary Gland
• Anterior (Adenohypophysis):
o Growth Hormone (GH)
o ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic hormone)
o TSH (Thyroid stimulating hormone)
o FSH (Follicle stimulating hormone)
o LH (Luteinizing hormone)
o Prolactin
• Posterior (Neurohypophysis):
o Does not produce hormones, only stores & releases:
▪ Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH / Vasopressin)
▪ Oxytocin
🌙 Pineal Gland
• Also called Epiphysis cerebri
• Secretes Melatonin – regulates sleep-wake cycle (high during sleep).
🦋 Thyroid Gland
• Location: lower anterior neck, 2 lobes + isthmus
• Hormones:
o Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3) – ↑ metabolism, essential for growth &
maturation (T3 is most active).
o Calcitonin – lowers blood calcium by ↓ bone resorption & ↑ calcium excretion by kidneys.
🟡 Parathyroid Glands
• 4 small glands at the posterior of thyroid
• Hormone: Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)
• Functions:
o ↑ bone breakdown by osteoclasts
o ↑ Vitamin D synthesis
o ↑ calcium reabsorption in kidney
o Overall: ↑ blood calcium levels
⚡ Adrenal Glands
• Location: on top of kidneys
• Two parts: Adrenal Cortex and Adrenal Medulla
Adrenal Cortex Hormones:
• Mineralocorticoids (Aldosterone) – Na⁺ & water retention, K⁺ excretion
• Glucocorticoids (Cortisol) – ↑ fat/protein breakdown, ↑ glucose synthesis, anti-inflammatory,
suppresses immune system
• Androgens (Estrogens, Androgens, Progestins) – minor in males, but ↑ female sexual drive,
axillary & pubic hair
Adrenal Medulla Hormones:
• Catecholamines – Epinephrine & Norepinephrine
• “Fight-or-flight” response
🍬 Pancreas (Islets of Langerhans)
• Alpha cells – secrete Glucagon
• Beta cells – secrete Insulin
• Delta cells – secrete Somatostatin
Insulin:
• Needed for glucose entry into most cells (except brain, intestines, RBCs, islet cells)
• Effects:
o Hypoglycemia via:
▪ Glycolysis (glucose breakdown)
▪ Glycogenesis (glycogen storage)
Glucagon:
• Raises blood glucose via:
o Glycogenolysis (glycogen breakdown)
o Gluconeogenesis (new glucose production)
⚤ Gonads
Male (Testes)
• Interstitial cells of Leydig secrete Androgens:
o Testosterone
o Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
o Androsterone
• Functions:
o Spermatogenesis
o Maintain reproductive organs
o Male secondary sex traits
o Sexual drive
Female (Ovaries)
• Follicular cells: Estrogen
• Corpus luteum: Progesterone
Estrogen:
• Uterine & mammary gland development
• Maintains external genitalia structure
• Female secondary sex traits
• Regulates menstrual cycle
Progesterone:
• Maintains menstruation (with estrogen)
• ↑ body temperature
• ↓ muscle tone & peristalsis
• Maintains pregnancy