These are just some basic information about the Endocrine System.

1. THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
 Is in charge of body processes that happen
slowly, such as cell growth.
 It is separated to the nervous system, they often
work together to help the body function
properly.
 Is a system of glands involving the release of
extra-cellular signaling molecules known as
hormones.
 Is instrumental in regulating metabolism,
growth, development, puberty, tissue function
and also plays a part in determining mood.

3. FUNCTIONS OF ENDOCRINE
 Is to secrete hormones directly into the
bloodstream to target cells designed to
receive its message.
 Hormones are chemical substances that
affect the activity of another part of the
body (target site)
 It serves as messengers, controlling and
coordinating activities throughout the
body

4. GLAND
 It is a group of cells that produces and
secretes, or gives off chemicals
 It selects and removes materials from the
blood, processes them and secretes the
finished chemical product for use
somewhere in the body

5. ENDOCRINE GLANDS
 Are ductless glands that release hormones
directly into the blood
 Are also parts of other body systems
1. The Pineal Gland
2. The Hypothalamus
3. The Pituitary Gland
4. The Thyroid and Parathyroid Gland
5. The Thymus Gland
6. The Adrenal Gland
7. The Pancreas
8. The Gonads (Ovary and Testes)

6. PROBLEMS WITH THE ENDOCRINE
SYSTEM
 Too much or too little of any hormone can
be harmful
 Controlling the production of or replacing
specific hormones can treat many
endocrine disorders:
1. ADRENAL INSUFFICIENCY: decreased
function of the adrenal cortex & the
consequent underproduction of adrenal
corticosteroid hormones. Symptoms-
weakness, fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea,
dehydration and skin changes.

7. 2. CUSHING SYNDROME: excessive amounts
of glucocorticoid hormones in the body.
Symptoms- may take years to develop and
include obesity, growth failure, muscle
weakness, easy bruising of the skin, acne, high
blood pressure and psychological changes.
3. TYPE 1 DIABETES: when the pancreas fails
to produce enough insulin, it is previously
known as juvenile diabetes. Symptoms-
excessive thirst, hunger, urination, and weight
loss. It can cause long-term complications,
including kidney problems, nerve damage,
blindness and early coronary heart disease and
stroke.

8. 4. TYPE 2 DIABETES: the body is unable to
respond to insulin normally. The symptoms
and possible complications of type 2
diabetes are basically the same as those of
type 1.
5. GROWTH HORMONE PROBLEMS: too
much growth hormone in children will make
their bones and other body parts grow
excessively, resulting in gigantism. This rare
condition is usually caused by a pituitary
tumor and can be treated by removing the
tumor. In contrast, when the pituitary gland
fails to produce adequate amounts of growth
hormone, a child’s growth in height is
impaired.

9. 6. HYPERTHYROIDISM: is a condition in which
the levels of thyroid hormones in the blood are
excessively high. Symptoms- weight
loss, nervousness, tremors, excessive
sweating, increased heart rate and blood
pressure, protruding eyes, and goiter.
7. HYPOTHYROIDISM: is when the levels of
thyroid hormones in the blood are abnormally
low. Symptoms- slows body processes and may
lead to fatigue, a slow heart rate, dry
skin, weight gain, constipation.
8. PRECOCIOUS PUBERTY: body changes
associated with puberty may occur at an
abnormally young age in some kids if the
pituitary hormones rise prematurely.

11. THYMUS GLAND
 Is positioned in the upper
part of the chest cavity,
directly behind the sternum
 It is pinkish grey in color and
blends with the surrounding
color and age.
 It’s role is to process
lymphocytes which are white
blood cells that travel to the
body through the
bloodstream.
 They stop at lymph nodes to
ensure everything us working
properly, and if not, it is
believed that they jump into
action o fix any tissues.

12. THE PANCREAS
 Has 2 important
hormones, insulin
and glucagon.
 It serves as a ducted
gland, secreting
digestive enzymes
into the small
intestine.
 It serves as a ductless
gland in the Islets of
Langerhans that
secrete insulin and
glucagon.

13. PINEAL GLAND
 Lies on the upper surface
of the midbrain
 Secretes the hormone
melatonin, a modified
amino acid that may help
regulate the wake-sleep
cycle.
 Contains light-sensitive
cells or has nervous
connections from the eyes
 Melatonin production is a
link between a biological
clock (sleeping) and daily
or seasonal
activities, such as

14. HYPOTHALAMUS
 A collection of
specialized cells that is
located in the lower
central part of the brain
 The primary link between
the endocrine and
nervous systems
 Relays information
sensed by the brain (such
as environmental,
temperature, light
exposure, patterns and
feelings) to the pituitary
gland

15. PITUITARY GLAND
 Produces chemicals that
either stimulate or suppress
hormone secretions
 Located at the base of the
brain just beneath the
hypothalamus
 Most important part of
endocrine system
 Often called the “master
gland”
 It is divided into 2 parts:
anterior lobe & posterior
lobe.

16. ANTERIOR LOBE
 Regulates the activity of the thyroid, adrenals
and reproductive glands
 Is the most active part secreting at least 6
distinct hormones, all are proteins
1. Growth Hormone – which stimulates the growth
of bone and other body tissues and plays a role
in the body’s handling of nutrients and
minerals.
2. Prolactin – which activates milk production in
women who are breastfeeding
3. Thyrotropin – which stimulates the thyroid
gland to produce thyroid hormones

17. 2. Corticotropin – which stimulates the adrenal
gland to produce certain hormones
3. Endorphins – chemicals that act on nervous
system to reduce sensitivity to pain
4. Gonadotropins – controls the ovulation and
the menstrual cycle in women.

18. POSTERIOR LOBE
 Releases antidiuretic
hormone, which helps
control body water
balance through its effect
on the kidneys and urine
output; and oxytocin
which triggers the
contractions of the uterus
that occur during labor.
 Develops as an out-
pocketing of the lower
surface of the brain.

19. THYROID GLAND
 It is located in the front part of the
lower neck
 Shaped like a bow tie or butterfly
and produces the thyroid hormones
thyroxine and triiodothyronine.
These hormones control the rate at
which cells burn fuels from food to
produce energy
 Also play a key role in bone growth
and the development of the brain &
nervous system in children.
 The production & release of thyroid
hormones is controlled by
thyrotropin which is secreted by the
pituitary gland..

20. PARATHYROID GLAND
 Attached to the thyroid gland
 4 tiny glands that functions together
 Releases parathyroid hormone
(parathormone(PTH)), which regulates the
level of calcium in the blood with the help of
calcitonin, which is produced in the thyroid
 When it is enlarged or if tumors grow in
them, an excess of PTH is secreted. Defects
in skeletal system may be observed

21. ADRENAL GLANDS
 Are pair of glands that sit on top of
kidneys.
 It has 2 parts (medulla & cortex); each
of which produces a set of hormones
and has a different function
◦ Medulla produces catecholamines,
such as epinephrine. Also called
adrenaline, epinephrine increases
blood pressure & heart rate when the
body experiences stress.
◦ Cortex produces hormones called
corticosteriods that influence or
regulate salt and water balance in the
body, the body’s response to stress,
metabolism, the immune system and
sexual development and function.

22. THE GONADS
 Are the main source of sex hormones
 These hormones regulate body changes
associated with sexual development
 In males, they are located in the scrotum.
Male gonads or testes, secrete hormones
called androgens, the most important of
which is testosterone. The female gonads
or ovaries, produce eggs and secrete the
female hormones estrogen and
progesterone.