Endocrine Gland Nikhil

ENDOCRINE GLAND
Endocrine glands are ductless glands of

the endocrine system that secrete their
products, hormones, directly into the blood
. The major glands of the endocrine system
include the pineal gland, pituitary gland,
pancreas, ovaries, testicles, thyroid gland,
parathyroid gland, hypothalamus and
adrenal glands. The hypothalamus and
pituitary glands are neuroendocrine organs
.
HORMONES
• Local chemical messengers, not generally considered part of the endocrine system,
include autocrines, which act on the cells that secrete them, and paracrines, which act
on a different cell type nearby.
• The ability of a target cell to respond to a hormone depends on the presence of
receptors, within the cell or on its plasma membrane, to which the hormone can bind.
• Hormone receptors are dynamic structures. Changes in the number and sensitivity of
hormone receptors may occur in response to high or low levels of stimulating
hormones.
• Blood levels of hormones reflect a balance between secretion and degradation/
excretion. The liver and kidneys are the major organs that degrade hormones;
breakdown products are excreted in urine and faeces.
• Hormone half-life and duration of activity are limited and vary from hormone to
hormone.
PITUITARY GLAND AND
HYPOTHALAMUS
• The pituitary gland hangs from the base of the brain by the
pituitary stalk, and is enclosed by bone. It consists of a
hormone-producing glandular portion of the anterior pituitary
and a neural portion of the posterior pituitary, which is an
extension of the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus regulates
the hormonal output of the anterior pituitary and creates two
hormones that it exports to the posterior pituitary for storage
and later release. Somatotropic hormone or growth hormone
(GH) is an anabolic hormone that stimulates the growth of
all body tissues especially skeletal muscle and bone. It may
act directly, or indirectly via insulin-like growth factors (IGFs).
GH mobilizes fats, stimulates protein synthesis, and inhibits
glucose uptake and metabolism. Secretion is regulated by
growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and
growth hormone-inhibiting hormone (GHIH), or somatostatin.
Hypersecretion causes gigantism in children and acromegaly
in adults; hyposecretion in children causes
THYROID GLAND
• The thyroid gland is located in the front of the neck, in front of the
thyroid cartilage, and is shaped like a butterfly, with two wings
connected by a central isthmus. Thyroid tissue consists of follicles with
a stored protein called colloid, containing[thyroglobulin], a precursor to
other thyroid hormones, which are manufactured within the colloid.
• The thyroid hormones increase the rate of cellular metabolism, and
include thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Secretion is
stimulated by the thyroid-stimulating hormone, secreted by the
anterior pituitary. When thyroid levels are high, there is negative
feedback that decreases the amount of Thyroid-stimulating hormone
secreted. Most T4 is converted to T3 (a more active form) in the target
tissues.
• Calcitonin, produced by the parafollicular cells (C cells) of the thyroid
gland in response to rising blood calcium levels, depresses blood
calcium levels by inhibiting bone matrix resorption and enhancing
calcium deposit in bones. Excessive secretion cause hyperthyroidism
and deficiency cause hypothyroidism.
ADRENAL GLANDS
• The adrenal glands are located above the

kidneys in humans and in front of the kidneys in
other animals. The adrenal glands produce a
variety of hormones including adrenaline and
the steroids aldosterone cortisol and
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA).[3]
Adrenaline increases blood pressure, heart
rate, and metabolism in reaction to stress, the
aldosterone controls the body’s salt and water
balance , the cortisol plays a role in stress
response and the dehydroepiandrosterone
sulfate (DHEA) produces aids in production of
body odor and growth of body hair during
puberty.
PANCREAS
• The pancreas, located in the abdomen, below and
behind the stomach, is both an exocrine and an
endocrine gland. The alpha and beta cells are the
endocrine cells in the pancreatic islets that
release insulin and glucagon and smaller amounts
of other hormones into the blood. Insulin and
glucagon influence blood sugar levels. Glucagon
is released when the blood glucose level is low
and stimulates the liver to release glucose into
the blood. Insulin increases the rate of glucose
uptake and metabolism by most body cells.
• Somatostatin is released by delta cells and acts
as an inhibitor of GH, insulin, and glucagon
GONADS
• The ovaries of the female, located in the pelvic

cavity, release two main hormones. Secretion of
estrogens by the ovarian follicles begins at puberty
under the influence of follicle-stimulating hormone.
Estrogens stimulate the maturation of the female
reproductive system and the development of
secondary sexual characteristics. Progesterone is
released in response to high blood levels of
luteinizing hormone. It works with estrogens in
establishing the menstrual cycle.
• The testes of the male begin to produce
testosterone at puberty in response to luteinizing
hormone. Testosterone promotes maturation of the
male reproductive organs, development of
secondary sex characteristics such as increased
muscle and bone mass, and the growth of body hair.
BY NIKHIL
GRADEN 10

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ENDOCRINE GLAND

Endocrine glands are ductless glands of

• The adrenal glands are located above the

• The ovaries of the female, located in the pelvic

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