Endocrine System Flashcards
What is the endocrine system?
Groups of specialized glands that affect the growth, development, sexual activities and health of the entire body
The glands produce chemicals called: HORMONES
Hormones:
Are chemical messengers communicating instructions to other cells of the body
hormones enter the bloodstream and are transported to all parts of the body to control body functions and maintain homeostasis
Homeostasis:
The balance or consistency of the internal function of the body
Secretions of hormones is controlled by the..
Hypothalamus
The nervous system
List the organs of the endocrine system (7)
- Pituitary gland
- Thyroid gland
- Parathyroid glands
- Adrenal glands
- Pancreas
- Ovaries
- Testes
Pituitary gland
Located at the base of the brain
referred to as the “master gland”
The pituitary gland secretes hormones that govern hormonal secretion of other endocrine glands
Produces hormones that affect the adrenal gland, gonads, and thyroid gland
Produces growth hormone which stimulates the growth of bones, muscles and organs
Produces prolactin which enhances breast tissue growth and stimulates milk production
Produces oxytocin which triggers contraction of the uterus in labour and childbirth
Produces antidiuretic hormone which regulates water balance in the body
Thyroid gland
Located in the anterior neck in two lobes that lie on either side of the trachea (throat)
Regulates metabolic activity
Produces thyroid hormones which require iodine for their production - these hormones regulate metabolic activity and serve as a general pacemaker for the body
Produce calcitonin which regulates the amount of calcium in the blood and maintains healthy bones
Parathyroid glands
There are 4 parathyroid glands that are attached to the thyroid
They secrete PARATHYROID HORMONE which helps maintain balance of calcium to maintain healthy bones and body tissue
Adrenal glands
Attached to the upper portion of each kidney are two adrenal glands
They secrete 3 types of steroid hormones called: CORTICOSTEROIDS
This includes:
- Sex hormones (estrogen and androgens) - which maintain secondary sex characteristics i.e breast development, facial hair in men
- Mineralocorticoids - which regulate electrolyte balance
- Glucocorticoids (mainly cortisol) - which help promote normal metabolism, resistance to stress and counter inflammatory response
Another part of the adrenal gland produces epinephrine (adrenaline) and nor-epinephrine which are the “flight or fight” response to stress
Most important function of nor-epinephrine: elevate blood pressure
Pancreas
Located posterior to the stomach and beneath the liver
It functions as both an exocrine and endocrine gland
Has important roles in digestion and regulations of blood sugar levels
The exocrine function is to produce digestive secretions which flow into the small intestine to help digest food
The endocrine function is to produce glucagon and insulin which regulate blood sugar levels in the body
Ovaries
The ovaries are two oval glands located in the pelvic cavity, one on each side of the uterus
They produce the female sex cell, the ovum (egg) as well as the hormones estrogen and progesterone which are responsible for: the development of female sex characteristics and menstrual cycle regulation
Both hormones play an important role in preparing the uterus for implantation of the fertilized egg, in maintaining pregnancy and promoting growth of the placenta
Testes
The testes are two oval glands that lie in the scrotum
They produce:
spermatozoa - which are the male sex cells
testosterone - which controls sexual development and reproductive function
Pathologies of the pituitary gland
These malfunctions may be congenital or may result from a tumour
Congenital: means present from birth
Growth hormone
Malfunction of the pituitary gland in producing growth hormone may result in too little or too much growth
GROWTH HORMONE DEFICIENCY:
Will cause a person to be shorter than average (dwarfism)
GIGANTISM:
Results from excess of growth hormone before puberty and causes excessive skeletal growth
ACROMEGALY:
Occurs when there is an excess of growth hormone in adulthood. It is characterized by enlarged features, particularly of the face, hands and extremities. Has negative effects on the heart
Pathologies of the thyroid gland
- GOITER - enlargement of the thyroid gland due to a lack of iodine in the diet (salt). May also result from inflammation, infection, tumor, or malfunction of the thyroid gland
- HYPOTHYROIDISM- decreased function of the thyroid gland produces a decrease in metabolic rate, fluid retention, obesity and fatigue
- HYPERTHYROIDISM- increase function of the thyroid gland results in increased metabolic rate, nervousness, constant hunger, palpitations, weight loss and fatigue
“Graves’ disease” which may cause hyperthyroidism, causes protrusion of the eyeballs
Pathologies of the parathyroid glands
Over activity of the parathyroid glands results in high levels of calcium in the blood and demineralization of the bones
Under activity of the parathyroid glands results in low levels of calcium in the blood and causes muscle twitching and spasm known as tetany
In short form…
Over activity = high levels of calcium in blood and demineralization of bones
Under activity = low levels of calcium in blood & muscle twitching/ spasms (tetany)
Pathologies of the adrenal glands
Addison’s disease
Cushing’s syndrome
Addison’s disease:
Caused by autoimmune destruction
decreased cortisol production
A chronic disorder that requires lifetime hormone replacement therapy
Causes decreased cardiac output, low blood pressure, dehydration, weakness and fatigue
Hyperpigmentation of the skin causes a bronzed or suntanned look
Gums become bluish-black
Results in a weakened immune system
- Cushing’s syndrome (hormone excess)
increased cortisol production
The major symptoms are altered fat metabolism causing protruding abdomen, fat pads on the back, “Buffalo hump” and a round “moon face”
Increased facial hair, thinning of scalp hair, decreased menstrual periods for women, decreased testosterone for men
There may be a decreased ability of the body to heal
Cushing’s disease may occur spontaneously or may be caused by a tumour
Pathologies of the pancreas: 1
Diabetes mellitus
A chronic disorder of carbohydrate metabolism that is primarily a result of a deficiency or complete lack of insulin secretion by the pancreas, or defects of the insulin receptors in the cells
Type 1 diabetes - insulin dependant
Usually has its onset in children and adolescents and may be associated with a genetic predisposition to the disorders
The cells of the pancreas do not produce insulin and the person affected must take insulin by injection for the rest of their life
Lack of insulin causes an increase in blood sugar and a breakdown of the body fats and proteins
Type 2 diabetes
Results from impaired ability of the tissues to use insulin, accompanied by a relative decrease of insulin
This usually occurs in mid life
Approximately 80% of people with type two diabetes are overweight
Changes in diet and increasing exercise is important for people with type two diabetes
Gestational diabetes
Occurs during pregnancy
Frequently affects women with a family history of diabetes, who have had a very large baby, who are older, or who have had several pregnancies
These women require nutritional guidance during their pregnancy to protect the health of the fetus
Women who have had gestational diabetes are at increased risk of developing type two diabetes 5 to 10 years after delivery
Symptoms of diabetes
Type one usually has a rapid onset
Type two usually develops more slowly and is often detected during a routine medical examination
Symptoms include: excessive urination, excessive thirst, excessive hunger
There may be blurred vision, fatigue, paresthesia (numbness and tingling of the extremities) and skin infections
Treatment of diabetes
It is important that the person with diabetes has nutritional counselling to maintain an appropriate diet and has regular exercise
People with type one diabetes must balance their insulin, food intake and exercise carefully 
Precautions and contraindications to aesthetic services with diabetic individuals 
Clients with diabetes may experience a sudden drop in blood sugar levels causing them to feel dizzy or lightheaded; particularly after a lengthy service or having several services in a row
A diabetic client should be encouraged to have snacks or juice handy and should be given time between services to eat the snacks
Diabetics tend to have decreased circulation to the extremities, especially the feet
They may also have peripheral neuropathies ( decreased function of the sensory nerves) especially to the feet. - this means that the client will not have normal sensation of feeling in the feet
No extreme temperatures either hot or cold should be used on the feet
Because of decreased circulation, there will also be a decrease in ability to heal
The feet should be checked carefully for any sores or cracks
No oils should be used if sores or cracks are present
The esthetician must be extremely careful to avoid any chance of infection
extreme care must be taken when performing pedicure so that the skin is not damaged
Pathologies of the pancreas: 2
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycaemia is excess of insulin in the blood which causes below normal blood sugar levels
This can occur with diabetics who have taken too much insulin, failed to eat, increased exercise, or in some other way changed their routine

Some people who are not diabetic commonly have bouts of hypoglycemia, particularly if they skip meals or do not eat at regular times
They may feel shaky, faint, headachey or emotional
These people need to eat regular, well-balanced meals and avoid over consumption of sugar
They may be prone to developing type two diabetes in midlife if nutrition is not well managed
Pathologies of the ovaries
Amenorrhea
Dysmenorrhea
Disfunction of the ovaries include dysfunctional menstrual cycles
Amenorrhea is a term for a lack of menstruation in women who have undergone puberty.
Primary amenorrhea applies to individuals who have reached 16 years of age without beginning menses.
Secondary amenorrhea is the absence of periods for three months or more in women who have previously menstruated
Amenorrhea is caused by a lack of hormones for various reasons
Pregnancy is the most common cause of secondary amenorrhea
- problems with hormones can also be a cause
Treatment of amenorrhea depends on the underlying cause
Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation)
Dysmenorrhea May be caused by conditions such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, pelvic adhesions or pelvic inflammatory disease
Cancer can be found in the ovaries, as in any organ
What are the four main hormones the pituitary gland produces?
Growth hormone, prolactin, oxytocin, antiduretic
