CHAPTER 48 Endocrine System

TABLE 48-1

1201

MAJOR ENDOCRINE GLANDS AND HORMONES

HORMONES
TARGET TISSUE
Anterior Pituitary (Adenohypophysis)

FUNCTIONS

Growth hormone (GH) or

somatotropin
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
or thyrotropin
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
Gonadotropic hormones
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Melanocyte-stimulating hormone
(MSH)
Prolactin

Promotes protein anabolism (growth, tissue repair) and lipid mobilization

and catabolism
Stimulates synthesis and release of thyroid hormones, growth and function
of thyroid gland
Fosters growth of adrenal cortex; stimulates secretion of corticosteroids
Stimulate sex hormone secretion, reproductive organ growth, reproductive
processes

All body cells

Thyroid gland
Adrenal cortex
Reproductive organs

Melanocytes in skin

Increases melanin production in melanocytes to make skin darker in color

Ovary and mammary

glands in females

Stimulates milk production in lactating women; increases response of

follicles to LH and FSH; has unclear function in men

Posterior Pituitary (Neurohypophysis)

Oxytocin
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
or vasopressin

Uterus; mammary glands

Renal tubules, vascular
smooth muscle

Stimulates milk secretion, uterine contractility

Promotes reabsorption of water, vasoconstriction

Thyroxine (T4)
Triiodothyronine (T3)

All body tissues

All body tissues

Calcitonin

Bone tissue

Precursor to T3
Regulates metabolic rate of all cells and processes of cell growth and tissue
differentiation
Regulates calcium and phosphorus blood levels; decreases serum Ca2+
levels

Thyroid

Parathyroids
Parathyroid hormone (PTH) or
parathormone

Bone, intestine, kidneys

Regulates calcium and phosphorus blood levels; promotes bone

demineralization and increases intestinal absorption of Ca2+; increases
serum Ca2+ levels

Epinephrine (adrenaline)

Sympathetic effectors

Norepinephrine (noradrenaline)

Sympathetic effectors

Response to stress; enhances and prolongs effects of sympathetic nervous

system
Response to stress; enhances and prolongs effects of sympathetic nervous
system

Adrenal Medulla

Adrenal Cortex
Corticosteroids (e.g., cortisol,
hydrocortisone)
Androgens (e.g., testosterone,
androsterone) and estrogen
Mineralocorticoids (e.g., aldosterone)

All body tissues

Promotes metabolism, response to stress; antiinflammatory

Reproductive organs

Promotes masculinization in men, growth and sexual activity in women

Kidney

Regulates sodium and potassium balance and thus water balance

Insulin (from beta cells)

Amylin (from beta cells)

General
Liver, stomach

Glucagon (from alpha cells)

Somatostatin
Pancreatic polypeptide

General
Pancreas
General

Promotes movement of glucose out of blood and into cells

Gastric motility, glucagon secretion, endogenous glucose release from
liver, satiety
Stimulates glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis
Inhibits insulin and glucagon secretion
Influences regulation of pancreatic exocrine function and metabolism of
absorbed nutrients

Pancreas (Islets of Langerhans)

Gonads
Women: Ovaries
Estrogen
Progesterone

Reproductive system,
breasts
Reproductive system

Stimulates development of secondary sex characteristics, preparation of

uterus for fertilization and fetal development; stimulates bone growth
Maintains lining of uterus necessary for successful pregnancy

Reproductive system

Stimulates development of secondary sex characteristics, spermatogenesis

Men: Testes
Testosterone