Endocrine Flashcards
Exocrine glands
Secretes their products into ducts
On skin, digestive system
Endocrine glands
Secretes their products directly into bloodstream
Hypothalamus
Found in brain
Helps control: Heartbeat
Body temp
Water balance
Glandular secretions
Posterior pituitary gland
Found in brain
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Oxytocin
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Posterior pituitary gland
Regulates water balance by reabsorbing water into the bloodstream
(You pee less)
Oxytocin
Posterior pituitary gland
Causes uterine contraction during childbirth and allows milk to be released during nursing
Is a positive feedback loop
Anterior pituitary gland
Found in brain
Hormones produced: - Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
- Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
- Gonadotropic hormones
- Prolactin (PRL)
- Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)
- Growth hormone (GH)
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
Anterior pituitary gland
Stimulates the thyroid to produce thyroid hormones
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
Anterior pituitary gland
Stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce cortisol
Stress response
Gonadotropic hormones
Anterior pituitary gland
Stimulates gonads to produce sex cells and hormones
Prolactin (PRL)
Anterior pituitary gland
Stimulates mammary glands and develop and produce milk only after childbirth
Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)
Anterior pituitary gland
Controls the amount of Melanin produced in the skin to determine skin color
Growth hormone (GH)
Anterior pituitary gland
Promotes skeletal and muscular growth
Needed for normal development/growth
Pituitary dwarfism
Too little GH is produced during childhood; results in small stature
Gigantism
Too much GH is produced during childhood; results in poor health
Cardiovascular issues
Acromegaly
Overproduction of GH as an adult; results in larger than normal feet, hands, and face
Thyroid gland
Large gland below the larynx
Iodine needed in diet to allow thyroid to produce hormones
- Thyroid hormone (TH)
- Calcitonin
Thyroid hormone (TH)
Regulates metabolism. Is a key regulater
Calcitonin
Thyroid gland
Helps lower blood calcium levels by stimulating the deposition of calcium in the bones
Simple goiter
Thyroid enlarges due to lack of iodine in diet.
Congenital hypothyroidism
Thyroid does not develop properly and is characterized in a short, stocky person who may have mental retardation
People are born with this condition
Myxedema
Hypothyroidism which occurs in adults characterized by lethargy, weight gain, loss of hair, cold intolerance, and thick, puffy skin.
Can be treated
Exophthalimic goiter
Characterized by enlargement of the thyroid gland, protrusion of the eyes, hyperactivity, and insomnia
Hyperthyroidism
Thyroid tumor
Can easily be removed with surgery
Parathyroid gland
Produces parathyroid hormone (PTH)
Helps control blood calcium levels by promoting osteoclast activity and reabsorption by the kidneys
Adrenal gland
Found on top of kidneys
Adrenal cortex: outsider portion
Adrenal medulla: inner portion
Adrenal medulla
Inner portion of the adrenal gland
Hypothalamus initiates the making of the hormones. These make the “fight or flight” response
Epinephrine - a stimulant
Norepinephrine - a neurotransmitter
Adrenal cortex
Outer portion of the adrenal gland
Produces hormones that are long term response to stress
Glucocorticoids
Mineralocorticoids
Glucocorticoids
Regulates carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism
Suppress the body’s inflammatory response
e.g. cortisol and cortisone
Mineralocorticoids
Regulate salt and water balance
Targets the kidneys
Addison disease
Hyposecretion of glucocorticoids by the adrenal cortex
Main symptom is bronzing of the skin
Cushing syndrome
Hypersecretion of glucocorticoids by the adrenal cortex
Main symptom is weight gain in the trunk of the body but not the arms and legs
Pancreas
Found between the kidneys
Brain of the digestive system
Dual function organ
Hormones: Insulin & Glucagon
Acinar cells
Exocrine secretion
From pancreas
Produce and secrete digestive juices
Insulin
Made from islets of Langerhans found in pancreas
Endocrine secretion
Secreted by beta cells when blood glucose is high which makes it so that cells can take in the sugar
Glucagon
Made from islets of Langerhans found in Pancreas
Endocrine secretion
Secreted by alpha cells when blood glucose is low
This happens by getting the liver to breakdown glycogen
Type 1 Diabetes
Early onset, found most of the time in children
Tends to run in families
Pancreatic cells are attacked and cannot produce insulin
Needs insulin injections regularly
Type 2 Diabetes
Normally adult onset, is the most common type
More common in obese & people unable to move around a lot
Cells do not respond as well to insulin
Usually diet and exercise are important for controlling and can prevent it
Gestational diabetes
Type 2 diabetes that can occur during pregnancy
Testes
Gonads found in males
Produce androgens (aka testosterone)
Androgens
AKA testosterone
- Stimulates growth of penis and testes
- Responsible for male sex characteristics such as facial, underarm and pubic hair
- Prompts the larynx and vocal cords to enlarge, resulting in a lower voice
- Promotes muscular strength & growth
(Basically male puberty)
Ovaries
Gonads found in females
Produces Estrogen and Progesterone
Estrogen and Proesterone
- Stimulates growth of vagina and uterus
- Responsible for secondary sex characteristics such as female body hair, fat distribution, and breast development
- Responsible for egg maturation
- Regulate the uterine cycle
Thymus
Found beneath the sternum
This gland is largest and most active during childhood, shrinking in adulthood
Secretes thymosins that help make white blood cells
Pineal gland
Found in brain
Secretes melatonin that regulates the sleep/wake cycle
aka Circadian rhythm
Erythropoietin (EPO)
Secreted by the kidneys to increase red blood cell production
Going to high altitudes can naturally increase your RBC production
Leptin
Produced by fat cells (adipocytes), acts on the hypothalamus to give a feeling of being satiated (feeling full)
Prostaglandins
- Groups of potent chemicals that are not carried in the bloodstream, work locally on neighboring cells
- Some cause smooth muscle contraction
- They have many other roles in the body
Aspirin and ibuprofen block their synthesis
Homeostasis
The body is balanced
Nervous and endocrine systems are important in maintaining homeostasis
- Hypothalamus bridges regulatory functions of both systems. Is a key player in keeping everything under control
- The nervous system response to changes in the external environment
