Anatomy and physiology- Endocrine system Flashcards
what makes up the endocrine system
-several organs called glands
what are some characteristics of glands in the endocrine system
-located all over the body
-ductless
-creates and secrete hormones
-not the same as exocrine glands (sweat, lymph)
what are the functions of the hormones in the endocrine system
-they are called “chemical messengers”
-come in small quantities
-coordinate body functions
-transported to another part of the body
-specific effect in a special target organ
-transmitted through blood
-endocrine system continuously monitors amounts of hormones
what processes do hormones effect
nearly every bodily process
-metabolism
-growth and development
-emotions and mood
-fertility and sexual function
-sleep
-blood presure
what are the parts of the endocrine system
hypothalamus
pituitary
thyroid
parathyroid
adrenal
pineal
pancreas
ovaries
testes
what is the hypothalamus
-bodys smart control center
-receives messages from peripheral nervous system
reacts to messages
-keep body homeostasis (body temp, blood pressure, hunger, thirst, etc)
-main link between endocrine system and nervous system
what is the pituitary
-releases trophic hormones
-stimulates other glands to release hormones
-tells endocrine system glands to release hormones:
growth
metabolism
reproduction and lactation
stress responce
water/Na balance
what is the thyroid
butterfly shaped gland
front of neck
metabolism (how body uses energy)
what is the parathyroid
-four tiny glands (grain of rice)
-control level of calcium in body —> heart, kidney, bones, nervous system
what is the adrenal
-2 glands; one on top of each kidney
-metabolism, blood pressure, sexual development, stress response
what is the pineal responsible for
sleep cycle
releases melatonin
what is the pancreas responsible for
-plays a role in digestive system
-insulin; glucagon; somatostatin
what are the testes and ovaries responsible for
-release of sex hormones
what is insulin and growth hormone made of
proteins and polypeptides
what are some characteristics of steroid hormones
-derivatives of cholesterol; lipid
-ie. estrogen, cortisol
-not stored, rapidly synthesized when needed
