The Endocrine Glands Flashcards
What are the functions of the endocrine system?
Maintain body homeostasis
Help the body to react to stress in association with the nervous system
Regulate growth and development, including sexual development and reproduction
What are protein and glycoprotein hormones?
Insulin and parathyroid hormone
What are small peptide hormones?
Vasopressin and Oxytocin
What are steroids derived from cholesterol?
Testosterone and Cortisol
What are the major endocrine organs?
Thyroid and Adrenal glands
What are organs with partial endocrine roles?
Pancreas, ovary and testes
What are diffused endocrine systems?
Scattered cells within organs that fulfil an endocrine function
Where does the pituitary gland sit?
In the sella tunica of the sphenoid bone below the hypothalamus
What is the pituitary gland also know as?
Hypophysis
How many lobes does the pituitary gland have?
2 (anterior and posterior)
What is the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland called?
Adenohypophysis
What is the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland called?
Neurohypophysis
Describe the Neurohypophysis?
Develops as a downward growth of the hypothalamus and stays attached via the pituitary stalk
Describe the Adenohypophysis?
Develops as an upward pocket of epithelium in the roof go the oral cavity called Rathke’s pouch
What are hypothalamus hormones that regulate the adenohypophysis?
Growth hormone (GHRH) Somatostatin Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) Dopamine Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
What cells are within the Anterior pituitary?
Secretory cells
What are acidophils and basophils called?
Chromophils
What are Somatotrophs and lactotrophs?
Acidophils
What are tyrotrophs, corticotrophins and gonadotrophs?
Basophils
What does the posterior pituitary consist of?
Axons of nerve cells in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus
Where do the nerve cells terminate in the posterior pituitary?
Near capillaries
What are glial cells known as?
Pituicytes
What is the functional unit of the thyroid gland?
Thyroid follicle
What does the follicle contain in the thyroid gland?
Colloid
What is within the colloid in the thyroid follicle?
Iodothyroglobulin
What are the main thyroid hormones?
Triiodothyronine and tetraiodothyronine
Where are C cells found?
Adjacent to the follicular cells, within the basal lamina that surround the follicles
Are the C-cells in contact with the colloid?
No
What do the C-cells secrete?
Calcitonin