Endocrine System Flashcards
endocrine system
glands, tissues and cells that secrete hormones
endocrinology
the study of this system and the diagnosis and treatment of its disorders
endocrine glands
organs that are sources of hormones
endocrine system function
regulates long-term processes: growth, development, reproduction
exocrine glands
have ducts; carry secretion to an epithelial surface or the mucosa of the digestive tract: “external secretions”
extracellular effects (food digestion)
endocrine glands
no ducts; contain dense, fenestrated capillary networks which allow easy uptake of hormones into bloodstream; “internal secretions”; intracellular effects such as altering target cell metabolism
direct communication
occurs between two cells of the same type through gap junctions via ions or small solutes
paracrine communication
uses chemical messengers to transfer signals between cells in a single tissue
messenger = cytokines or local hormones
endocrine communication
uses hormones to coordinate cellular activities in distant portions of the body
gradual, coordinated but not immediate
hormones
chemical messengers released from one tissue and transported in blood to reach target cells in other tissues
synaptic communication
involves neurons releasing neurotransmitter at a synapse close to target
immediate but short lived
speed and persistence of response nervous vs endocrine
quickly, stops quickly vs slowly, effect may continue for days or longer
adaptation to long-term stimuli nervous vs endocrine
declines (adapts quickly) vs persists (adapts slowly)
area of effect nervous vs endocrine
targeted and specific (one organ) vs general, widespread effects (many organs)
the endocrine system
consists of glands and glandular tissue involved in paracrine and endocrine communication
endocrine cells produce secretions
released into extracellular fluid-> enters blood-> body-wide distribution to find target
target cell
specific cells that possess receptors needed to bind and “read” hormonal messages
endocrine cells located in
hypothalamus, pituitary gland, thyroid gland, thymus, adrenal glands, pineal gland, parathyroid glands, heart, kidney, adipose tissue, digestive tracts, pancreatic islets, gonads
hypothalamus
master regulatory organ
integrates nervous and endocrine systems
hypothalamus secretes
regulatory hormones to control secretion from anterior pituitary gland
hormones from anterior pituitary control other endocrine organs
hypothalamus acts as
endocrine organ
produce ADH and oxytocin
autonomic centers of hypothalamus
neural control of adrenal medulla-> neuroendocrine reflex
pituitary gland
hangs inferior to hypothalamus via infundibulum in sella turcica of sphenoid
anterior lobe
secretes 7 hormones
function via cAMP 2nd messenger
posterior lobe
secretes 2 hormones
function via cAMP 2nd messenger
portal vessels
blood vessels link two capillary networks
entire complex is portal system
ensures that regulatory factors reach intended target cells before entering general circulation
hypothalamic control of the anterior lobe
two classes of hypothalamic regulatory hormones: releasing and secreting
rate of secretion is controlled by negative feedback
releasing hormones (RH)
stimulate synthesis and secretion of one or more hormones at anterior lobe
inhibiting hormones (IH)
prevent synthesis and secretion of hormones from the anterior lobe
anterior lobe (adenohypophysis)
glandular tissue
anterior pituitary hormones are all tropic hormones
secretion of the hormones controlled by releasing and inhibiting hormones from the hypothalamus
tropic hormones
turn on secretion or support function of other endocrine organs
diseases cause by the growth hormone in excess
usually due to pituitary tumor
before epiphyseal closure = gigantism
after = acromegaly, excessive growth of hands, feet, face, internal organs
diseases cause by the growth hormone deficiency
pituitary dwarfism: failure to thrive
posterior lobe (neurohypophysis)
contains unmyelinated axons or hypothalamic neurons
supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei
anterior lobe produces
ACTH, TSH, GH, PRL, FSH, LH, MSH
posterior lobe produces
ADH, OXT
supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei manufacture:
ADH and oxytocin
hypothalamus produces
regulatory factors that adjust activities of anterior lobe of pituitary gland, which produces 7 hormones
most hormones control
other endocrine organs, including thyroid gland, adrenal gland and gonads
thyroid gland
inferior to larynx
largest pure endocrine organ
left and right lobes of thyroid gland connected by
isthmus
tissue of thyroid gland
follicles
parafollicular cells/C cells
follicles
spheres or simple cuboidal epithelium
parafollicular cells/C cells
between follicles
follicles filled with
colloid-> thyroglobulin
thyroglobulin protein
constantly synthesized by follicle cells and exocytosed into follicle for storage
upon stimulation by TSH thyroglobulin is processed into
thyroid hormones (T3/T4)
actively transported into thyroid follicle cells
iodide ions
iodide ions
stimulated by TSH form reserves in thyroid follicles
excess removed from blood at kidneys
deficiency limits rates of thyroid hormone production
iodated tyrosines
in tyroglobulins are chemically bonded to form T3 and T4
iodated tyroglobulins
are broken down to release T3 and T4
thyroid hormones
released into blood circulation
receptors for thyroid hormones
located in all cells except adult brain, spleen, testes, uterus, thyroid
receptors in thyroid target cells found in
cytoplasm
mitochondria
nucleus
function of cytoplasm target cell for thyroid
hold hormone in reserve
function of mitochondria target cell for thyroid
increase cellular respiration
function of nucleus target cell for thyroid
activate genes for enzymes involved in energy transformation and utilization
overall effect of thyroid hormones
increase metabolic rate and body heat production
regulate tissue growth and development
hypothyroidism
lack of T3/T4
myxedema
cretinism
myxedema
adults
low body temp, muscle weakness, slow reflexes, cognitive dysfunction and goiters-> swollen thyroid
produce thyroglobulin but fail to endocytose
cretinism
infants = genetic defect
causes lack of skeletal and nervous system development
hyperthyroidism
excessive T3/T4
high metabolic rate, high heart rate, restlessness, fatigue
graves disease
autoimmune disorder
produce antibodies that mimic TSH causing overproduction of thyroid hormones
parafollicular cells/C cells
in basement membrane of follicles
produce calcitonin
respond directly to blood calcium levels, not controlled by hypothalamus
calcitonin
stimulates decrease in blood Ca++ levels
inhibits osteoclasts
promotes Ca++ loss at kidneys
parathyroid glands
four glands embedded in posterior surface of thyroid gland
two cell types in parathyroid gland
oxyphiles: few, functions unknown
chief cells: majority
function of chief cells in parathyroid gland
produce parathyroid hormone (PTH)/Parathormone
most important regulator of blood calcium
secreted when blood calcium is low
effects of PTH
acts to raise blood calcium levels by acting on various tissues