ENDOCRINE GLAND

DEFINITION: the endocrine system is a set of glands that regulate the

activities of certain organs by releasing their chemical products into blood
stream .
These glands have no ducts or opening. The chemicals they produce enter the blood
stream as it passes through the glands and they are circulated all over the body.
EXPLANATION:
Hormones are chemical messenger that are manufactured by the endocrine
glands. Hormones travel more slowly than nerve impulses .The blood stream
conveys hormones to all parts of the body ,and the membrane of every cell has
receptor for one or more hormones .The receptor of the target cells pull the
hormone molecules out of the blood stream and into the cell.
IMPORTANCE OF HORMONES :
These hormones are essential for the integration of the organisms
activities and to the maintenance of homeostasis. Functioning of the nervous
system depends upon them .for example, some neuron use a hormone,
norepinephrine as their chemical transmitter.
ROLE OF ENDOCRINE GLAND;
The endocrine glands are responsible for growth, sexual and maternal
behaviour,the individuals characteristic level of energy and mood,and reaction to
stress.Some endocrine glands are controlled by the nervous system, whereas others
respond directly to the internal state of the body.
Following glands are included in endocrine system.
1.Pineal gland
2.Pituitary gland
3.Thyroid gland
4.Parathyroid gland
5.Thymus gland
6.Adrenal gland
7.Pancreas gland
8.Gonad gland

1. PINEAL GLAND: It is the small endocrine gland in the brain. It produces a

hormone serotonin derivatives, that affects the modulation of wake/sleep
pattern and seasonal functions. Its shape resembles a tiny pine cone, and is
located near the centre of the brain, between the two hemispheres.
2.PITUITARY GLAND; The pituitary gland is an outgrowth from the base of the fore
brain. It releases into the blood several different hormones. Some of them appear to
have a direct affect on the organ system of the body. the pituitary gland is about the
size of a pea and weighing 0.5g.

SECRETIONS: The pituitary gland secretes hormones regulating homeostasis

and is functionally connected to the hypothalamus.

COMPOSITION: Pituitary gland is composed of two parts anterior pituitary

and the posterior pituitary

SECRETIONS: The anterior pituitary secretes the following important

hormones.

a)ADRENOCORTICOTROPIC HORMONE: In response to stress certain neurons in the

hypothalamus secrete a substance called corticotrophin release factor .The CRF
stimulates the pituitary to release adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH),which is
bodys major stress hormone.ACTH is carried by the blood stream to the adrenal
glands and to various other organs of the body.
b)THYROTROPIN OR THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE: It stimulates the
thyroid gland to grow and to produce thyroxin and acts on the cortex of the adrenal
gland and promotes the production of cortisone
.
c)PROLACTIN HORMONE: It helps breast milk production in female.
d)GROWTH HORMONE: Growth hormone influences the growth of bones and other
tissue. Excess of GH leads to gigantism. Too little of this hormone can create as
dwarf.
e)GONADOTROPIN HORMONE:Lutenizing hormone in male and follicle stimulating
hormone (FSH) both released under the influence of gonadotropin.It affects both
sexes. Sexual behavior in many animals is based on a complex interaction between
the activity of nervous system and the influence of the pituitary on sex gland.
Posterior pituitary releases the following hormones.
f)OXYTOCIN HORMONE: It helps in uterine contractions during pregnancy and
childbirth.

g)ANTIDIURETIC HORMONE(ADH):It is also known as vasopressin and arginine

vasopressin(AVP).AVP controls the amount of water reabsorbed into the blood by
kidneys.
3.THYROID GLAND: It is one of the largest endocrine glands in the body. The thyroid
gland is found in the neck, below the Adam; Apple. It is a butterfly shape organ and
is composed of two cone like lobes or wings.
4.THYROXIN GLAND: It produces a hormone,thyroxin,which controls the rate of
growth and development. This hormone also regulates the metabolic rate of the
body. In adult humans thyroxin controls the rate of chemical activity, particularly
respiration. It synthesizes the utility of iodine also. Too little tends to lead to
overweight and sluggish activity and too much can cause thinness and over activity.

CRETINISM: Deficiency of thyroid in infancy causes cretinism, which is certain

type of mantel deficiency. Cretinism can be cured in the early stages by
administering thyroxin.

5.PARATHYROID GLAND: They are small endocrine glands in the neck that produce
parathyroid hormone. Humans have four parathyroid glands, which are located
behind the thyroid gland. Parathyroid glands control the amount of calcium in the
blood and within the bones.
6.THYMUS GLAND; It is composed of two identical lobes and is located in front of
the heart and behind the stermun.The thymus is a specialized organ in the immune
system. The function of the thymus is to control the T cell, which are critical cells of
the adaptive immune system.
Structure of the thymus can be divided into two parts, which are central medulla
and peripheral cortex. the cortex and medulla play different roles in the
development of T cells.
The thymus is largest and most active during the neonatal and pre adolescent
periods, By the early teens, the thymus begins atrophy and replaced by tissue.
7.ADRENAL GLAND: Adrenal glands are situated just above the kidneys one on
each side. These are triangular shaped glands. They are chiefly responsible for
releasing hormones which are extremely important to neural functioning and to the
ability of the body to cope with stress.
Each adrenal gland is separated into two distinct structures, the adrenal cortex and
the adrenal medulla.

CORTEX: It mainly produces cortisol,aldosterone and androgens. Cortex is

responsible for the long term regulation of blood pressure.

MEDULLA: Adrenal medulla is the core of the adrenal gland and is surrounded
by the adrenal cortex. Medulla secretes two hormones.

Epinephrine/adrenaline.
Nor epinephrine/Nor adrenaline

These hormones are major hormones underlying the fight or

flight hen sense organs transmit the impulses to the brain, which are associated
with danger needing vigorous action, motor impulses are relayed to the adrenal
medulla which releases adrenaline into the blood. As a result, it quickens the
heartbeat, makes the pupil dilate and speed up the rate of breathing and oxidation
of carbohydrates. In humans it produces emotional feelings.

The inner core of the adrenal gland secretes epinephrine and nor
epinephrine. Epinephrine acts in a number of ways to prepare the organism
for an emergency, other in junction with the sympathetic division of the
autonomic nervous system.

It acts same as parasympathetic nervous system. Likewise nor

adrenaline functions as sympathetic nervous system.

Adrenaline affects the smooth muscle and the sweat glands in a

very similar way to that of the sympathetic system. IT causes
constriction of the blood vessels in the stomach and makes the
heart beat faster.

It also acts on the reticular system, which excites the sympathetic system
and in turn stimulates the adrenals to secrets=e more adrenaline. Nor
adrenaline ales prepares the organism for emergency action and acts in
conjunction with parasympathetic system.

The adrenal gland plays an important role in determining an individuals mood, level
of energy and ability to cope with stress.
8.PANCREAS GLAND; The pancreas is a dual function gland having both features of
endocrine and exocrine gland .

INSULIN; It secretes the insulin hormone. Insulin determines how much sugar
is converted to glycogen and how much is oxidized for energy. Insulin
accelerates the rate at which blood sugar is converted to glycogen in the
liver. It promotes the uptake of glucose from the blood by muscle cells.

DIABETES: The failure of pancreas to produce sufficient insulin leads to

diabetes .The diabetes cannot effectively regulate the blood sugar level. The
diabetic condition can be corrected by regular injections of insulin. Pancreas

secretes pancreatic juice contains digestive enzymes that pass to the small
intestine, serves as exocrine gland.
8.GONAD GLAND; Gonad gland are also named as sex glands. The gonad is the
organ that makes gametes. The gonad in males are testicles and the gonads in
females are the ovaries.
The gonads are controlled by luteinizing hormone(LH) and the follicle stimulating
hormone(FSH)secreted by the pituitary gland. The ovary produces several hormone
called estrogens. These estrogens control the development of the secondary sexual
characters at puberty.
Tester one is the male sex hormone, produces by the testiest promotes the
development of the masculine sexual characters.