The endocrine system

The Endocrine System

Organs

Adrenal Glands Ovaries (Women Only) Pancreas (islets of langerhans) Parathyroid glands Pineal Glands Pituitary Glands Testes (Men Only) Thymus Gland Thyroid Gland

Adrenal Glands

Located above each of the kidneys.2 sections: adrenal cortex & adrenal

medullaOuter- manufactors several different

families of hormones.The hormones regulate secondary sexual

characteristics.All hormones secreted by the adrenal

cortex are steroid hormones.

Ovaries (Women Only)

Females gonads located in the lower abdomen pelvic cavity of the female. This is a part of the reproductive system as well.

The ovaries is where an unborn fetus lives for a gestational period of forty weeks until birth.

PancreasLocated along the lower curvature of the

stomach. The only organ in the body that has both

endocrine and exocrine functions.The exocrine portion releases digestive

enzymes through a duct into the duodenum of the small intestines.

Parathyroid Glands Four tiny parathyroid glands are located

on the dorsal surface of the thyroid gland. Parathyroid hormone secreted by these

glands regulates the amount of calcium in the blood.

If the blood calcium levels fall too low, parathyroid hormone levels in the blood are increased and will stimulate bone breakdown to release more calcium into the blood.

Pineal Gland

Small pine cone shaped gland that is part of the thalamus region of the brain.

Glands secrete melatonin, a hormone now well understood, but that plays a role in regulating the body’s circadian rhythm.

Pituitary Gland

located underneath the brain Small marble shaped gland that is divided into

an anterior lobe and a posterior lobe. Both lobes are controlled by the

hypothalamus(a region of the brain active in regulating automatic body responses.

Anterior lobe secretes several different hormones.(growth, thyroid stimulating, adrencorticotrophin, prolactin, follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones, melanocyte-stimulating & antidiuretic and oxytocin hormones)

Testes (Men Only)

Two oval glands located in the scrotal sac of the male.

The male gonads Produce gametes, sperm and the

male sex hormone, testosterone. Testosterone produces the secondary

sexual characteristics and regulates sperm production

Thymus Gland

A part of the immune system as well.Is also one of the endocrine glands

because it secretes the hormone thymosin (it is important for the proper development of the immune system.

It is present at birth and grows to its largest at puberty. At puberty is shrinks and is connected with other tissues.

Thyroid Gland

Is the shape of a butterfly and it has a right and left lobe.

Located on either side of the trachea and larnyx

The thryoid cartilage, or Adams apple is located just above the thyroid gland.

Produce the hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine.

These hormones regulate the production of energy and heat in the body to adjust the body’s metabolic rate.

The end