Endocrine system - Anatomy Flashcards
What does the endocrine system do?
Release hormones
Why is endocrine different to exocrine?
They are ductless glands that secrete directly into the blood
What in the endocrine system regulates other glands?
The hypothalamus and the pituitary gland
What is the hypothalamo-pituitary axis?
THe interface between the central nervous and endocrine systems
What are the 2 parts of the pituitary gland and where do they originate?
The anterior lobe - roof of mouth
Posterior lobe - floor of brain
What is the anterior pituitary lobe made of?
Glandular cells
What is the posterior pituitary lobe made of?
Neural tissue
How many capillary beds does each pituitary gland lobe have?
Anterior - 2
Posterior - 1
How is each lobe innervated?
Anterior - indirect innervation (at 1st capillary bed)
Posterior - direct innervation
What does the posterior pituitary gland regulate?
Vasopressin/ADH
Oxytocin
What does the anterior pituitary gland regulate?
Mainly releasing hormones
Stimulate hormone release from a target cell
What happens when the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis needs to be switched on?
Hypothalamus releases TRH into the portal blood
Anterior lobe releases TSH
TSH travels in systemic circulation to the thyroid which releases hormones
