The endocrine system consists of special organs called glands.

A gland is an organ of the body that makes and stores fluids that the body needs. The endocrine glands are different from other glands in the body. They are also called the ductless glands. They have no tubes for their secretions to flow through. Instead, they release their fluids directly into the bloodstream. The fluids that are produced by the endocrine glands are called hormones. A hormone is a chemical substance that controls the growth and development and other functions of the body. For example, the rate at which you grow is controlled by hormones. When an endocrine gland releases a hormone, the blood carries it into the target organ. The target organ is a part or a place in the body where a hormone acts. A hormone controls the production of energy in the body. Its target organs include all the body cells and tissue.

The Hypothalamus Gland The hypothalamus gland is located at the base of the brain. It is a part of the brain. It serves as a high link between the endocrine system and the nervous system. It is found just above the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is under the control of the hypothalamus gland. The hormones secreted by the hypothalamus gland may either stimulate or inhibit the pituitary gland from releasing its hormones. The hypothalamus senses when the level of a certain hormone is low. It transmits the information to the pituitary gland which regulates the hormone level needed. When the hormone supply is adequate, the hypothalamus switches off the action. For example, one hormone is stored in and released from the pituitary gland. A hormone called oxytocin is released from the hypothalamus gland of the mother during childbirth. It stimulates the contraction of the uterus when the mother is in labor. It is responsible for the release of milk from the breasts of the mother for feeding the baby upon birth.

The Pituitary Gland The pituitary gland is located in the lower part of the brain. It is only about the size of a pea. Despite its small size, it produces several hormones that control the function of the other glands.

This is the reason why pituitary gland is often called the master gland. But the pituitary is directly under the control of the hypothalamus gland. Hormones from the hypothalamus either stimulate or inhibit the production of the hormones of the pituitary gland. The endocrine glands stimulated by the secretions of the pituitary gland are the sex glands, the adrenal cortex, and the thyroid glands. The pituitary gland has two lobes, the anterior (front lobe) and the posterior (back lobe). The anterior lobe of the pituitary gland secretes at least six different hormones including the growth hormone. The growth hormone stimulates growth and amino acid transport in the body. Amino acid is the building block of proteins. The growth hormone increases muscle mass and stimulates bone growth. Another hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland is the thyroid-stimulating hormone. This hormone is brought by the blood to the thyroid glands where it regulates the secretion of its hormones. Too little of this hormone causes under activity of the thyroid glands. Too much of this hormone would result in the over activity of the thyroids. The thyroid hormones control metabolism and growth and development of the body. The hormone prolactin is also secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. It promotes milk production in mothers. The other secretions of the pituitary gland stimulate the sex glands in males and females. The Pineal Gland The pineal gland is a small endocrine gland located near the center of the brain. It secretes the hormone melatonin. This hormone promotes the development of the ovaries and the testes.

The Thyroid Glands The thyroid glands are butterfly-shaped glands located in the neck. They are found around the front and sides of the trachea just below the larynx. The thyroid glands are stimulated by the thyroid-stimulating hormone from the pituitary gland in order to produce the secretions. The thyroid glands secrete two hormones: the thyroxin and the calcitonin. The thyroxin hormone affects all the cells of the body. It controls or regulates how fast the body burns up food to produce energy or metabolic rate. It also stimulates the growth and mental development of a child.

The calcitonin hormone works together with a hormone from the parathyroid glands to regulate the amount of calcium in the blood. When the amount of calcium in the blood increases, calcitonin is released to increase the excretion of calcium by the kidneys. It also regulates the intestines to slow down absorption of calcium, and also prevents the bones from releasing more calcium into the blood. Thus, the level of calcium in the blood decreases.

The Parathyroid Gland The parathyroid glands are composed of four small glands in the neck. Two of these glands are embedded at the back of each side of the thyroid glands. The parathyroid glands secrete parathormone that works together with the hormone calcitonin from the thyroid glands which has opposite function. Parathormone secreted by the parathyroids increases the amount of calcium in the blood. When the calcium level of the blood is low, this hormone is released to slow down the excretion of calcium by the kidneys. It also stimulates the intestines to speed up the absorption of calcium, and also stimulates the bones to release more calcium into the blood. Thus, the level of calcium in the blood increases. The Thymus Gland The thymus gland is an organ found in the chest. It is found above and in front of the heart. It secretes a hormone that stimulates the development of the lymphatic tissues of the lymphatic system. The tissues of the lymphatic system help the body fight against diseases and infections by filtering foreign substances or by producing antibodies. The hormone that is responsible for these tissues is called thymosin. Babies are born with a large thymus. During childhood, this gland gradually doubles in size. When the child reaches puberty, this gland starts to shrink and becomes less active. By adulthood, the thymus gland has nearly disappeared.

The Adrenal Glands The adrenal glands are two small organs each found on top of the kidney. Each adrenal gland has an outer part (adrenal cortex) and an inner part (adrenal medulla). The adrenal cortex secretes a hormone that helps regulate metabolism and maintain water balance in the body. This hormone is called aldosterone. The adrenal medulla secretes adrenaline, a hormone that helps the body cope with emergencies. This hormone is released when you are frightened or excited. It increases your blood pressure, heart rate, and blood sugar level. It also directs more blood to the muscles and to the brain. Those activities enable you to act quickly during emergency situations. It gives the body extra energy for quick actions. Another hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla helps the body fight infections. This hormone is called cortisol.

The Pancreas The pancreas is a gland in the abdomen near the stomach. It has a group of special cells that secrete hormones. This group of cells is called the Islets of Langerhans. The Islets of Langerhans are composed of two different groups of cells that secrete two different hormones of the pancreas. These groups of cells are called the alpha cells and the beta cells. The alpha cells

secretes glucagon, a hormone that stimulates the liver to change the stored glycogen to glucose and release it into the blood. As a result, the glucose level in the blood increases. The beta cells secretes insulin, a hormone that facilitates the transport of glucose into the cells. It also stimulates the liver to store glucose in the form of glycogen for future use. As a result, the level of glucose in the blood decreases. These two hormones secreted by the Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas are very important in maintaining the normal sugar or glucose level in the blood.

The Sex Glands or Gonads The primary reproductive organs of the male and female, the ovaries and testes, also function as endocrine glands. They are also known as the gonads or sex glands. Both the ovaries and the testes produce sex hormones. These sex hormones cause a period of physical changes in the body called puberty. During this period, the sex hormones cause the body to develop the secondary sex characteristics. The Ovaries The ovaries start secreting its hormones during puberty. One of these hormones is estrogen, which is responsible for the development of the secondary sex characteristics in females, such as the development of the breasts and widening of the hips. Progesterone, the other hormone secreted by the ovaries, regulates the uterus lining during menstruation. It also regulates the maintenance of the uterus during pregnancy. Estrogen and progesterone are also called the female sex hormones.

The Testes The testes starts secreting its hormone also during puberty. The hormone secreted by the testes stimulates the production of sperm cells. It also promotes the development of the secondary sex characteristics in male, such as the broadening of the shoulder, muscular development, and the growth of beard and moustache.