L5: Glands Flashcards
What are glands?
Epithelial cells or aggregates of epithelial cells that are specialised for secretion of a substance
Define secretion?
The production and release of materials by cells or aggregates of cells
What do glands do?
Regulate human physiology
Receive stimulus from CNS, circulating levels in the body and neighbouring cells
Respond accordingly
What are the different ways in which glands can be classified?
Structure → endocrine or exocrine
How products are released → merocrine, apocrine, holocrine or cytocrine
What is an endocrine gland?
Ductless
Secretes products directly into the blood stream
Release hormones
All cells secrete hormone
What are the different structures of endocrine glands?
Cords → adrenal cortex
Follicles → thyroid
Clusters → pituitary gland
Give examples of where an endocrine gland would be found?
- Pituitary gland of the hypothalamus
- Thyroid gland
- Parathyroid gland
What are the endocrine secretions from the pituitary gland?
Inferior to the hypothalamus
Anterior pituitary
- ACTH → regulates cortisol levels in adrenal cortex
- LH → trigger ovulation and development of corpus leuteum (females) and leydig cells and testosterone (males)
- FSH → development, growth, pubertal maturation, reproductive processes
- TSH → thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyroxine (T3) production
- Prolactin → milk production
- Somatostatin → regulation of growth of body and tissues
Posterior
- Vasopressin (ADH) → prevents water loss
- Oxytocin → uterus contraction in women, milk ejection
What are the endocrine secretions from the thyroid gland?
Produces thyroid hormone T3 and T4 → control metabolism
Calcitonin → Ca2+ homeostasis ↓Ca2+ levels
What are the endocrine secretions from the parathyroid glands?
Parathyroid hormones
Ca2+ homeostasis
↑Ca2+ levels
What is an exocrine gland?
Ducted gland
Secretes into a location or region through a duct
Releases enzyme or lubricants
Only cells at apex secrete
Give an example(s) of exocrine glands and what they release?
- Salivary gland → buccal cavity, saliva, partial digestion of food
- Pancreas → enzymes; amylase (starch and carbs), trypsin (proteins), lipase (fats)
- Mammary → colostrum (babies first drink, antibodies and nutrients), and milk in reponse to oxytocin and prolactin
- Sweat glands → sweat (regulates body temperature)
- Sebaceous glands → sebum onto skin (protection from pathogens, lubricant, waterproof skin)
- Lachrymal glands → eye, water lubricates eye, lysozyme (attacks bacteria)
What are the different structure of the exocrine glands?
Unicellular or multicellular
Unicellular → secretion onto surface epithelium
Multicellular→ ducted system, glandular cells extend from epithelium into connective tissue
Describe the different shapes of gland ducts?
Two types of epithelial cells in exocrine glands 1. Cells lining the ducts 2. Cells that make the secretory products Gives rise to many different gland types Simple: duct not branched 1. Simple tubular 2. Simple branched tubular 3. Simple coiled tubular 4. Simple acinir/ alveolar 5. Simple branched acinir/ alveolar Compound: duct branches 1. Compound tubular 2. Compound acinir/ alveolar 3. Compound tubulacinir/ tubuloalveolar
Using the salivary gland as an example describe how the gland is formed?
Pre bud → initial bud → pseudoglandular bud → canalicular bud → terminal bud
Describe the difference between interlobular duct and intercalated duct?
Interlobular→ between the main duct and where it branches
Intercalated duct → between the duct and the acinir