Endocrine System
- collection of glands that produce hormones that regulate body's growth, metabolism, and sexual development and function
Functions:a) Secrete affective hormones directly into the bloodstream;
b) Regulate hormone secretion to normal levels needed by the body and;
c) Maintain interaction with the central nervous system to promote normal body functioning.
Key parts:
a) Pituitary Gland – primarily dubbed as the “Master Gland”, it controls the activities of the other endocrine glands. It secretes growth hormones (crucial for controlling body growth) and an antidiuretic hormone (controls water excretion through the kidney)
b) Thyroid Gland – it is located at the base of the throat and is responsible for the secretion of hormones that control basal metabolism.
c) Adrenal Glands – These are located on top of each kidney. The glands’ inner layer secretes adrenaline or epinephrine, which gives the body energy in times of stress. The outer layer is responsible for the production of cortical hormones (stress hormones).
d) Islet of Langerhans – This gland is located in the pancreas which is responsible for the secretion of insulin that prevents the accumulation of sugar in the blood.
e) Gonads – The testes for males and the ovaries for females consecutively make up the gonads or sex glands. The former secretes testosterone and the latter secretes estrogen and progesterone.
Associated Illnesses/Disorders
- caused by either the oversecretion or undersecretion of the hormones of the glands mentioned above.
a) Oversecretion –
Giantism (growth hormone)
Hyperthyroidism (metabolic hormones)
Extreme body weakness (Insulin)
b) Undersecretion –
Dwarfism (growth hormone)
Hypothyroidism (metabolic hormones)
Diabetes (Insulin)
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