Neuroendocrinology

Question 1

List the then (10) major glands of the endocrine system and a hormone released from each

Answer 1

BRAIN
Hypothalamus - Oxttocin
Pituitary Gland - Corticotropin
Pineal Gland - Melatonin

THROAT
Thyroid Gland - Triiodothyronine (T3) andThyroxine (T4)
Parathyroid Gland - Parathyroid Hormone

STERNUM
Thymus Gland - Thymosin

ABDOMEN
Pancreas - Insulin & Glucagon

ABOVE KIDNEYS
Adrenals - Cortisol, Epinephrine

Ovaries - Oestrogen, Progesterone, Relaxin
Testes - Testosterone

Question 2

How does the nervous and endocrine system work together?

Answer 2

The nervous and endocrine systems are related in three main areas, structure, chemical, and function. The endocrine and nervous system work parallel with each other and in conjunction, function in maintaining homeostasis, development, and reproduction. Both systems are the communication links of the body and aid the body’s life systems to function correctly and in relation to each other.

An example of this can be seen in a mother’s release of milk. When a baby sucks the nipple of its mother, sensory cells in the nipple sends signals to the hypothalamus, which then responds by releasing oxytocin from the posterior pituitary. The oxytocin is released into the bloodstream where it moves to its’ target cell, a mammary gland. The mammary gland then responds to the hormones signal by releasing milk through the nipple. Besides working in conjunction with each other, both systems affect one another. The adrenal medulla is under control of the nerve cells, but the nervous systems development is under the control of the endocrine system.

Question 3

What is the function of each of the ten (10) endocrine glands?

Answer 3

BRAIN
Hypothalamus - temperature, moods, appetite, sleep, thirst, libido
Pituitary Gland - Regulates other peptide hormones that act on adrenals, liver, bone, thyroid, male and female reproductive systems
Pineal Gland - Sleep/ wake cycles

THROAT
Thyroid Gland - Calorie burning(metabolism), heart rate
Parathyroid Gland - works with Thyroid to regulate Calcium levels in the blood

STERNUM
Thymus Gland - Part of the immune system, produces and matures T lymphocytes

ABDOMEN
Pancreas - Regulates blood sugar levels

ABOVE KIDNEYS
Adrenals - metabolism, immunity, blood pressure,managing stress

Ovaries - Produce oocytes (eggs) and produce reproductive hormones
Testes - Sperm and Hormone

Question 4

What is your understanding of the HPA axis?

Answer 4

The hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) is how the immune system stays in constant communication with the brain to establish and maintain homoeostasis.

It also communicates with a number of other regions of the brain including the limbic system which is responsible for controlling motivation and mood in conjunction with the amygdale which produces fear as a response to danger.

The hippocampus is also activated by the HPA axis and plays an important role in memory formation, mood, and motivation.

Furthermore, the HPA axis is also connected to regions within the brain that control pain and body temperature in addition to suppressing the appetite.

Additionally, this axis works in conjunction with other endocrine function by producing reproductive, growth and thyroid hormones. The stress response shuts down these hormonal systems that are involved in management of reproduction, metabolism, and immunity. In the short term this response is beneficial however long-term stress could contribute with dysfunction of the hormonal regulators and hormone projection resulting in disease.167

Question 5

Provide one (1) posture that stimulates each of the ten (10) glands

Answer 5

BRAIN
Hypothalamus - Sirsana(Head stand) virtually any of the inversions
Pituitary Gland - Same as Hypothalamus, including Balasana(Childs pose)
Pineal Gland - Same as Hypothalamus but including standing and seated forward folds Pascmittonasana

THROAT
Thyroid Gland - Postures that open and compress the thyroid, Salamba Savangasana(Supported Shoulder stand) and Setu Bandah Savangasana
Parathyroid Gland - Same as Thyroid Gland

STERNUM
Thymus Gland - Postures that compress the Sternum into the Thymus, such as Bhujangasana(Baby Cobra) or Urdhva Danurasana(Wheel)

ABDOMEN
Pancreas - All standing, Supine and seated Spine twists as they increase oxygen and Blood flow

ABOVE KIDNEYS
Adrenals - Halasana(Plow) and Ustrasana(Camel) As the adrenals work with the sympathetic nervous system, postures that are restorative and more relaxing to the body would also benefit the adrenals

Ovaries -
Testes - Supta Baddah Konasana or Uppavista Konasana - Āsana that increase circulation of oxygenated blood to the gonads are said to maintain health in the male and reproductive systems.