GERIAL, CELYN JASMINE D.G.

ANATOMY
AND

BSN 1-F PHYSIOLOGY 2

WORKSHEET 1 ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

IMPORTANT GLANDS IN ENDOCRINE SYSTEM:

The hypothalamus is a crucial control center of the brain that regulates various processes in the body
such as mood, hunger, thirst, sleep patterns, and sexual function. An interesting fact is it has structural
differences between males and females. The hypothalamus secretes hormones such as:

Antidiuretic hormones increase how much water the kidneys absorb into the blood.

Corticotropin-releasing hormone which helps regulate metabolism and immune response.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone which instructs the pituitary gland to release more hormones that
keep the sexual organs working.

Prolactin-controlling hormone which tells the pituitary gland to either start or stop breast milk
production in lactating mothers.

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone which releases the hormones that regulate metabolism, energy
activates the thyroid levels, and developmental growth.

The hypothalamus is a brain part that regulates feedback systems and endocrine glands. It
influences growth hormones and commands the pituitary gland to increase or decrease the growth
hormone, which helps develop children into adults.

PITUITARY GLAND – The pituitary gland, also known as the hypophysis, is a pea-sized gland located at the
base of the hypothalamus. It controls other glands by sending signals from the brain. An interesting fact
is tumors on the gland can cause gigantism. It has two parts: Anterior and Posterior.

The Anterior Pituitary secretes hormones such as:

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) – stimulates the adrenal cortex to secrete glucocorticoids.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) – stimulates the production of sperm and ova.

Growth Hormone (GW) – stimulates growth and metabolic functions.

Luteinizing Hormone (LH) – stimulates the ovaries and testes.

Prolactin (PRL) – stimulates milk production and secretion.

Thyroid-Stimulation Hormone (TSH) – stimulates the thyroid gland.

The posterior Pituitary stores and releases these hormones but the hypothalamus makes them:

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) – Promotes retention of water by kidneys.

A negative feedback loop regulates the pituitary gland. When hormone levels in the blood reach a
certain level, the hypothalamus tells the pituitary gland to stop producing that hormone. When hormone
levels fall below a certain level, the hypothalamus signals the pituitary gland to produce more of that
hormone.

THYROID GLAND - The thyroid (butterfly-shaped) gland is one of the largest endocrine glands. It appears
redder than the surrounding tissues because it is highly vascular. Thyroid hormone secretion is the main
function of the thyroid gland, which binds to nuclear receptors in cells and regulates metabolism in the
body. An interesting fact is that women are more prone to thyroid issues than men.

The negative feedback mechanism regulates the production of TSH, and high levels of thyroid
hormones inhibit its production, while low levels of thyroid hormone stimulate it. TSH is also influenced
by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), which is produced in the hypothalamus and stimulates TSH
secretion.

PARATHYROID GLANDS - Four tiny parathyroid glands are embedded in the posterior wall of the thyroid
gland. The parathyroid glands secrete a hormone called parathyroid hormone (PTH), which is essential
for the regulation of blood calcium levels and is more important than calcitonin in regulating calcium
levels.

The parathyroid gland releases PTH when blood calcium levels are low, which increases calcium
absorption from bones, digestion in the intestines, and reabsorption in the kidneys. The gland stops
producing PTH when calcium levels are high, reducing the level of calcium in the blood. Interestingly,
Although the four parathyroid glands are quite small, they have a very rich blood supply. This suits them
well since they are required to monitor the calcium level in the blood 24 hours a day.

ADRENAL GLANDS - The adrenal glands are two small glands located above each kidney. They have two
parts, the adrenal medulla, and the adrenal cortex, which function as separate endocrine glands. The
adrenal glands release hormones directly into the bloodstream.

Each zone of the adrenal cortex secretes a specific hormone. The key hormones produced by the
adrenal cortex include:

Glucocorticoids – raise blood glucose levels.

Mineralocorticoids – Promote reabsorption of Na+ and excretion of K+ in kidneys.

The main hormones secreted by the adrenal medulla include epinephrine (adrenaline) and
norepinephrine (noradrenaline) which both raise blood glucose levels, increase metabolic activities, and
constrict certain blood vessels.

A negative feedback loop also regulates this gland. If there is too much or too little cortisol,
these glands respectively change the amount of CRH and ACTH that gets released.

PANCREAS - The pancreas is an organ and a gland in the back of your abdomen (belly). It is part of your
digestive system, and it has two main functions: Exocrine function, produces substances (enzymes) that
help with digestion. Endocrine functions send out hormones such as Insulin, which lowers blood glucose
levels, and Glucagon, which raises blood glucose levels.
 The pancreas is involved in a negative feedback loop that regulates blood glucose levels. The
pancreas produces insulin, which lowers blood glucose levels by stimulating cells that can take in
glucose. The pancreas releases glucagon, which stimulates the liver to break down glycogen into glucose
when blood glucose levels are low.

GONADS - The testes and ovaries secrete reproductive hormones and produce sperm cells or oocytes
respectively. These hormones are important in the development of sexual features and determine the
structural and functional differences between men and women, as well as their ability to reproduce.

In males, androgens, which is secreted by the testes. It supports sperm formation and promotes the
development and maintenance of male secondary sex characteristics.

In females, estrogen, and progesterone. Together, these hormones contribute to the development and
function of female reproductive structures and other female sexual characteristics.

The gonads produce gametes and hormones in both males and females. The hypothalamus and pituitary
gland regulate the gonads through negative feedback loops. In males, the hypothalamus secretes GnRH
to stimulate the production of testosterone and sperm. In females, GnRH stimulates the ovaries to
produce estrogen and progesterone. The gonadal system also uses positive feedback loops, such as
during ovulation.

THYMUS - The thymus is in the upper thoracic cavity and plays a crucial role in the immune system. It
secretes thymosin, which helps develop T cells, most known as white blood cells. An interesting fact, the
thymus is the largest in children and reaches maximum weight at puberty (about 1 ounce). It then starts
to shrink and becomes fatty tissue by age 75. However, the thymus produces all your T cells by the time
you reach puberty.

PINEAL GLAND - The pineal gland, also known as the pineal body or epiphysis cerebri, is a small,
pinecone-shaped structure that is situated above and at the back of the thalamus in the brain. Its
primary function is to regulate the sleep and wake cycle by releasing a hormone called melatonin.
Melatonin is involved in biological rhythms and is influenced by light exposure, with levels typically in the
evening and falling in the morning.

To summarize it all, the endocrine system is responsible for regulating various processes in the body and
is composed of several important glands such as the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid,
adrenal, pancreas, gonads, thymus, and pineal glands. The hypothalamus regulates feedback systems
and influences growth hormones, by commanding the pituitary then the pituitary gland controls other
glands by sending signals from the brain. The thyroid gland secretes hormones that regulate metabolism,
while the parathyroid gland produces parathyroid hormones that regulate blood calcium levels. Lastly,
the adrenal glands release hormones directly into the bloodstream that raise blood glucose levels and
promote reabsorption of Na+ and excretion of K+. The pancreas regulates blood sugar levels. Gonads
secrete reproductive hormones. The thymus produces T-cells and pineal to produce melatonin. All these
glands are regulated by a negative feedback loop to maintain hormone balance in the body.