& WEEK 14

THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

1. Identify the different parts of the endocrine system;

2. Describe and define the functions of the endocrine system and its parts;

3. Construct sentences using medical terms learned from the topic;

4. Determine the correlations of the endocrine system to other systems of the body

5. Discuss common diseases related to the system and give examples of treatment and
preventions.

How the Endocrine System Works

The endocrine system maintains the chemical balance of the body. It does this by sending
chemical messengers called hormones throughout the body via the bloodstream. Hormones
regulate and control the activity of specific cells or organs. Slowly released hormones control
organs from a distance.

Endocrine glands are located in different parts of the body. They are called ductless, because
they have no duct system to transport their secretions. Instead, hormones are released directly
into the bloodstream. They regulate a variety of the functions of body organs. One can stimulate
growth, another matures sex organs, and yet another controls metabolism.

Endocrine: Take endo, which means “within” or “inner,” and add it to the Greek krinein, which
means “to separate.”

Endocrine glands, no matter which hormone they produce, secrete directly into the bloodstream
to the target organ needing that hormone. They are unlike exocrine glands — such as the
sebaceous glands in the skin — that deliver secretions via ducts directly to the body organ
needing them. The endocrine system has two types of endocrine glands: central and peripheral.

The central glands, the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus, are located in the brain. The pituitary
gland is referred to as the “master gland” because it produces a variety of hormones that travel
via the bloodstream to regulate activities of other endocrine glands. The pituitary and
hypothalamus glands work together to regulate body functions such as growth, salt and water
balance, reproduction, and metabolism.

Peripheral glands include the thyroid, parathyroids, adrenals, pineal, and the pancreas. The
thyroid, parathyroids, adrenals, and pineal glands have only one function: They produce

Medical Terminology (Human Anatomy and Physiology) | OAMT 40023 130

hormones. The pancreas not only produces hormones but also performs important functions of
the digestive system. The pancreas is similar to other mixed function organs, such as the heart,
liver, kidneys, ovaries, and testes. In addition to their regular systemic functions, these organs
also secrete hormones.

Believe it or not, the heart secretes hormones — as if it doesn’t have enough to do already. The
heart releases ANP, also known as A-type natriuretic peptide (or polypeptide), which helps to
regulate renal and cardiovascular homeo- stasis. This hormone is released from the heart atria,
whereas BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide) is released from the ventricles. Both help to lower blood
pressure.

Parts of the Endocrine System

Medical Terminology (Human Anatomy and Physiology) | OAMT 40023 131

Hormones

Before you get to know the endocrine glands better, take a second to say hello to their little friends,
the hormones. These little messengers work like diplomatic peacekeepers, so to speak. They
communicate with larger organs and systems to maintain chemical harmony and keep your body
working. Because the individual parts of the endocrine system produce a variety of hormones, we
discuss them in the context of their “home bases” — with each individual gland. Let’s look at each
of these glands, where they’re located, their function, and what hormone they secrete.

Pituitary and hypothalamus

The pituitary gland — the grand master orchestra leader — is a pea-sized gland consisting of an
anterior and posterior lobe, located at the base of the brain in a small depression of the skull
called the sella turcica, just below the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus secretes trophic
hormones that stimulate the pituitary gland to release other hormones. Together, these glands
are known as central glands.

The anterior pituitary secretes seven hormones, messaged by hypothalamus- released

hormones. Five of these are trophic (stimulating) hormones that induce other glands to release
hormones:

✓ Growth hormone (hGH), also called somatotropin, stimulates growth in body cells.
✓ Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), also called thyrotrophin, stimulates the thyroid
gland to produce and secrete its own hormones, thyroxine and triiodothyronine.
✓ Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce and
secrete cortisol and aldosterone.
✓ Follicular-stimulating hormone (FSH) in the female is responsible for the growth of
the ovum (egg) in the ovaries and stimulates the secretion of estrogen and
progesterone. In the male, FSH promotes sperm (spermatozoa) formation. This is also
known as a gonadotropic hormone, one which influences the growth and hormone
secretion of the ovaries in females and testes in males.
✓ Luteinizing hormone (LH) induces the secretion of progesterone and triggers
ovulation. In the male, LH regulates testosterone secretion. This is also a gonadotropic
hormone.

Thyroid

The thyroid gland is composed of two pear-shaped lobes separated by a strip of tissue called the
isthmus. It is located on either side of the trachea, just below a large piece of cartilage called the
thyroid cartilage. This cartilage covers the larynx and is the prominence on the neck known as
the Adam’s apple. The thyroid is made up of tiny sacs filled with a jellylike fluid called colloid. The
hormones secreted by the thyroid are stored in the colloid until passing into the bloodstream when
required. The thyroid weighs only about one ounce.

Pancreas

As an endocrine gland, the pancreas produces hormones — that is, in this case, specialized cells
in the pancreas produce hormones. The cells are called the islets of Langerhans and they secrete
insulin and glucagon, both of which play roles in the proper metabolism of sugar and starch in the

Medical Terminology (Human Anatomy and Physiology) | OAMT 40023 132

body. Insulin is necessary in the bloodstream for the use and storage of blood sugar and acts to
decrease blood sugar levels, whereas glucagon acts to increase them by instructing the liver to
synthesize new glucose in a process called gluconeogenesis.

Adrenals

The adrenal glands are two small glands, one on top of each kidney. Each gland consists of two
parts, an outer portion called the adrenal cortex and an inner portion called the adrenal medulla.
The cortex and medulla are two glands in one, each secreting its own hormone. The cortex
secretes hormones called steroids, which are complex chemicals derived from cholesterol. The
medulla secretes hormones called catecholamines, chemicals derived from amino acids.

Gonads

The gonads (ovaries in the female, and testes in the male) are the gamete- producing glands. A
gamete is a sex cell. Hormones that stimulate the gonads are known as gonadotropins.

Estrogen is secreted by the ovaries and is necessary in the development of secondary female
sex characteristics (pubic hair and breast development, for example). It also regulates the
menstrual cycle.

Progesterone is released in the second half of a menstrual cycle by the corpus luteum (empty
egg sac) in the ovary. Its function is to prepare the uterus for pregnancy. If fertilization doesn’t
occur, secretion of progesterone stops, and the menstrual cycle follows. There are small levels of
estrogen and progesterone present in males as well.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is secreted by the placenta when a pregnancy occurs. This
stimulates the ovary to keep producing estrogen and progesterone to maintain the pregnancy.

Testosterone is secreted in the testes. It stimulates the development of sec- ondary male sex
characteristics (pubic and facial hair, deepening of voice). The hormone is also present in women
to some degree, and some believe it increases female libido.

Common Endocrine Conditions

✓ Acromegaly: Enlargement of the extremities due to hyperfunctioning of the pituitary gland after
puberty

✓ Dwarfism: Congenital hyposecretion of growth hormone resulting in short stature and altered
body proportions

✓ Gigantism: Hyperfunctioning of the pituitary gland before puberty, resulting in abnormal

overgrowth of the body

✓ Hypophysitis: Inflammation of the hypophysis (stalk of the pituitary)

✓ Panhypopituitarism: Generalized insufficiency of pituitary hormones

Medical Terminology (Human Anatomy and Physiology) | OAMT 40023 133

✓ Cretinism: Extreme hypothyroidism during infancy and childhood; results in decreased IQ,
among other things

✓ Euthyroid: Condition of having a normal thyroid

✓ Exophthalmos: Abnormal protrusion of eyeballs

✓ Goiter or thyromegaly: Abnormal enlargement of thyroid

✓ Graves’ disease: Autoimmune disorder that results in overproduction of thyroid hormones

(hyperthyroidism)

✓ Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: A progressive autoimmune thyroiditis (lym- phocytic invasion of the

thyroid gland) with developing goiter; leads to hypothyroidism and sometimes precedes Graves’
disease; also called chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis

✓ Hyperparathyroidism: Excessive production of the parathyroid hormone

✓ Hyperthyroidism: Overactivity of the thyroid gland

✓ Hypoparathyroidism: Deficient production of parathyroid hormone

✓ Hypothyroidism: Underactivity of the thyroid gland

✓ Myxedema: Advanced hypothyroidism in adulthood

✓ Thyroiditis: Inflammation of the thyroid gland

✓ Hypercalcemia: Abnormally high levels of calcium

✓ Hypocalcemia: Abnormally low levels of calcium

✓ Tetany: A neurological disorder resulting in spasms (contractions) of a muscle; usually marked

by sharp flexion of wrists or ankle joints, most often affects extremities

✓ Acidosis: Abnormal condition characterized by reduced alkalinity of the blood and of the body
tissues

✓ Hyperglycemia: Abnormally high sugar in the blood

✓ Hypoglycemia: Abnormally low sugar in the blood

✓ Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas

Medical Terminology (Human Anatomy and Physiology) | OAMT 40023 134

Endocrine Radiology and Diagnostic Tests

✓ Estrogen receptor test: Determines whether hormonal treatment would be useful in cancer
treatment by measuring the response of the cancer to estrogen

✓ Goetsch’s skin reaction: Test for hyperthyroidism involving reaction to epinephrine injection,
named for Emil Goetsch (1883–1963)

✓ Radioactive iodine uptake: Thyroid function evaluated by injecting radioactive iodine and
then measuring how much is removed from the blood by the thyroid

✓ CT scan: Also known as computerized tomography or CAT scan. Here transverse views of
the pituitary gland and other endocrine organs can diagnose pathological conditions.

✓ Thyroid scan: In a thyroid scan, a radioactive compound is given and localized in the thyroid
gland. The gland is then visualized with the scanner to detect tumors or nodules.

✓ Ultrasound: Pictures obtained from ultrasound waves can identify pancreatic, adrenal, and
thyroid masses. This procedure is also used to diagnose conditions and diseases of many
other systems of the body.

Endocrine Surgeries and Procedures

✓ Adrenalectomy: Removal of an adrenal gland

✓ Hypophysectomy: Removal of the pituitary gland
✓ Pancreatectomy: Removal of a portion of the pancreas
✓ Pancreatotomy: Incision into the pancreas
✓ Parathyroidectomy: Surgical removal of parathyroid glands
✓ Thyroidectomy: Surgical removal of the thyroid

Medical Terminology (Human Anatomy and Physiology) | OAMT 40023 135