MODULE 07 OVERVIEW OF ENDOCRINE GLANDS
IT’S A NO BRAINER! Remember that endocrine
glands are glands that
THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM secrete their hormones
directly into the bloodstream
to produce a variety of
SECTION 01: OVERVIEW OF THE ENDOCRINE effects on the body.
GLANDS
Video – take notes
Pituitary Gland
The pituitary gland is a small
gland (pea-sized) at the base of
the brain that extends from the
hypothalamus. It is known as the
‘master gland’ as it produces
and releases hormones that
control all other endocrine
glands.
Thyroid Gland
List two examples of systems that can be influenced by the
endocrine system. The thyroid gland sits anterior
The endocrine system impacts all the systems of the body. to the trachea and produces
You may have answered: thyroid hormones important
· Cardiovascular system for metabolism. It is also
· Reproductive system involved in calcium
· Digestive system. homeostasis.
DEFINITIONS Parathyroid Gland
The body can secrete products from two different types of
glands. It is important to differentiate between them The parathyroid glands are four
because they each serve specific purposes in the body. small oval glands situated on the
back of the thyroid gland. They
Endocrine are paired, with two superior and
Cells of these glands secrete hormones directly into the two inferior. They are involved in
interstitial fluid surrounding the secretory cells. The the maintenance of calcium
hormones are then picked up by the blood capillaries homeostasis.
Exocrine Adrenal Gland
Glands that secrete cell products into a duct system.
The paired adrenal glands sit on
top of each kidney (they are also
INTERESTING FACT called the ‘suprarenal glands’).
In Greek, endo- means ‘within’ and exo- means ‘outside’. This
They have important roles in the
should help you remember that endocrine glands secrete their
hormones within the gland, while exocrine glands secrete their production of corticosteroids, as
hormones outside of the gland. well as in the maintenance of
fluid balance.
HORMONES Pancreas
Endocrine glands release molecules called hormones.
Hormones act as chemical messengers, traveling through The pancreas is both an
the blood circulation to cause an effect on a target organ. endocrine and exocrine gland. It
is located posterior to the
stomach, extending from the
INTERESTING FACT duodenum (first part of the small
Many medications use exogenous hormones (hormones not made intestine) to the spleen. Its main
within the body) to induce chemical signalling that would endocrine function is to control
otherwise not be present. These medications can be helpful for sugar levels in the blood.
disease treatment, as well as prevention of pregnancy.
, SECTION 02: THE PITUITARY GLAND (HYPOPHYSIS) GROWTH HORMONES (G H)
G H stimulates growth in
LOCATION OF THE PITUITARY GLAND all cells.
As you learned, the pituitary gland is a small, but important
gland. It is known as the master gland because it releases
hormones that control all other endocrine glands.
The pituitary gland is located inferior to the hypothalamus FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE (F S H) AND LUTEINIZING
and sits in a concavity of the sphenoid bone in the middle HORMONE (L H)
of the skull.
F S H and L H both act on
The physical contact between the hypothalamus and the gonads: they
pituitary gland allows for communication between the stimulate secretion of
nervous and endocrine systems. estrogen and
progesterone, and
maturation of oocytes in
the ovaries, and they
stimulate secretion of
testosterone and sperm
production in the testes.
MELANOCYTE STIMULATING HORMONE (M S H)
M S H stimulates melanocytes in
the skin to produce pigment.
LOBES OF THE PITUITARY GLAND
The pituitary gland is divided into two lobes: anterior lobe B. POSTERIOR LOBE (NEUROHYPOPHYSIS)
(adenohypophysis), and posterior lobe (neurohypophysis).
Each of these lobes secrete unique hormones. The posterior lobe of the pituitary gland is also known as the
Learn about the hormones they release. neurohypophysis because it is made up of nervous tissue.
It only releases two hormones. These hormones are
A. ANTERIOR LOBE (ADENOHYPOPHYSIS) produced in the hypothalamus.
The anterior lobe of the pituitary is composed of glandular
(adeno) secretory cells that produce and release seven
stimulating hormones.
THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE (T S H)
T S H released from the
anterior pituitary acts on the
thyroid gland, causing it to
release thyroid hormones.
PROLACTIN (P R L)
P R L induces the mammary Antidiuretic hormone (A D H)
glands of the breast to The general function of A D H is to promote reabsorption of
produce milk. water at the kidneys.
Oxytocin
The function of oxytocin is to promote uterine contractions
ADRENOCORTICOTROPIC HORMONE (A C T H) during childbirth. It also plays a role in breastfeeding.
A C T H released by the
anterior pituitary acts on
the adrenal glands,
causing them to release
their hormones.
IT’S A NO BRAINER! Remember that endocrine
glands are glands that
THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM secrete their hormones
directly into the bloodstream
to produce a variety of
SECTION 01: OVERVIEW OF THE ENDOCRINE effects on the body.
GLANDS
Video – take notes
Pituitary Gland
The pituitary gland is a small
gland (pea-sized) at the base of
the brain that extends from the
hypothalamus. It is known as the
‘master gland’ as it produces
and releases hormones that
control all other endocrine
glands.
Thyroid Gland
List two examples of systems that can be influenced by the
endocrine system. The thyroid gland sits anterior
The endocrine system impacts all the systems of the body. to the trachea and produces
You may have answered: thyroid hormones important
· Cardiovascular system for metabolism. It is also
· Reproductive system involved in calcium
· Digestive system. homeostasis.
DEFINITIONS Parathyroid Gland
The body can secrete products from two different types of
glands. It is important to differentiate between them The parathyroid glands are four
because they each serve specific purposes in the body. small oval glands situated on the
back of the thyroid gland. They
Endocrine are paired, with two superior and
Cells of these glands secrete hormones directly into the two inferior. They are involved in
interstitial fluid surrounding the secretory cells. The the maintenance of calcium
hormones are then picked up by the blood capillaries homeostasis.
Exocrine Adrenal Gland
Glands that secrete cell products into a duct system.
The paired adrenal glands sit on
top of each kidney (they are also
INTERESTING FACT called the ‘suprarenal glands’).
In Greek, endo- means ‘within’ and exo- means ‘outside’. This
They have important roles in the
should help you remember that endocrine glands secrete their
hormones within the gland, while exocrine glands secrete their production of corticosteroids, as
hormones outside of the gland. well as in the maintenance of
fluid balance.
HORMONES Pancreas
Endocrine glands release molecules called hormones.
Hormones act as chemical messengers, traveling through The pancreas is both an
the blood circulation to cause an effect on a target organ. endocrine and exocrine gland. It
is located posterior to the
stomach, extending from the
INTERESTING FACT duodenum (first part of the small
Many medications use exogenous hormones (hormones not made intestine) to the spleen. Its main
within the body) to induce chemical signalling that would endocrine function is to control
otherwise not be present. These medications can be helpful for sugar levels in the blood.
disease treatment, as well as prevention of pregnancy.
, SECTION 02: THE PITUITARY GLAND (HYPOPHYSIS) GROWTH HORMONES (G H)
G H stimulates growth in
LOCATION OF THE PITUITARY GLAND all cells.
As you learned, the pituitary gland is a small, but important
gland. It is known as the master gland because it releases
hormones that control all other endocrine glands.
The pituitary gland is located inferior to the hypothalamus FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE (F S H) AND LUTEINIZING
and sits in a concavity of the sphenoid bone in the middle HORMONE (L H)
of the skull.
F S H and L H both act on
The physical contact between the hypothalamus and the gonads: they
pituitary gland allows for communication between the stimulate secretion of
nervous and endocrine systems. estrogen and
progesterone, and
maturation of oocytes in
the ovaries, and they
stimulate secretion of
testosterone and sperm
production in the testes.
MELANOCYTE STIMULATING HORMONE (M S H)
M S H stimulates melanocytes in
the skin to produce pigment.
LOBES OF THE PITUITARY GLAND
The pituitary gland is divided into two lobes: anterior lobe B. POSTERIOR LOBE (NEUROHYPOPHYSIS)
(adenohypophysis), and posterior lobe (neurohypophysis).
Each of these lobes secrete unique hormones. The posterior lobe of the pituitary gland is also known as the
Learn about the hormones they release. neurohypophysis because it is made up of nervous tissue.
It only releases two hormones. These hormones are
A. ANTERIOR LOBE (ADENOHYPOPHYSIS) produced in the hypothalamus.
The anterior lobe of the pituitary is composed of glandular
(adeno) secretory cells that produce and release seven
stimulating hormones.
THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE (T S H)
T S H released from the
anterior pituitary acts on the
thyroid gland, causing it to
release thyroid hormones.
PROLACTIN (P R L)
P R L induces the mammary Antidiuretic hormone (A D H)
glands of the breast to The general function of A D H is to promote reabsorption of
produce milk. water at the kidneys.
Oxytocin
The function of oxytocin is to promote uterine contractions
ADRENOCORTICOTROPIC HORMONE (A C T H) during childbirth. It also plays a role in breastfeeding.
A C T H released by the
anterior pituitary acts on
the adrenal glands,
causing them to release
their hormones.
