The Endocrine System Flashcards
Why is the endocrine system sometimes referred to as the neuro-endocrine system?
Because of its interactive nature with the nervous system and the endocrine system.
What is the psycho-neuro-endocrine system?
The whole person – nature of the body/mind relationship, that the endocrine system and glands are part of the whole body/mind interaction and do not act in isolation.
Name 6 functions of the endocrine system?
1) Maintaining internal environment
2) Maintaining homeostasis
3) Maintaining immunity and resistance to stress
4) Regulating metabolism
5) Growth and development
6) Reproduction
What are the 2 types of glands in the body?
Endocrine and exocrine
Name 4 differences between exocrine (OUT) and endocrine (IN) glands?
1) Exo have ducts leading from gland to target point; Endo do not
2) Exo secrete via ducts onto surfaces of the body eg skin; gut lining – Endo secrete directly into the blood
3) Exo secrete to specific target locations in the body – Endo secretions are carried more widely through circulation
4) Exo gland = sweat, sebaceous, mucus producing, digestive – Endocrine = hormones
NB – additionally Exo glands secrete fluids eg sweat, saliva, digestive juices
Name 5 Endocrine Glands? (think PPPTA)
1) Pineal
2) Pituitary
3) Parathyroid
4) Thyroid
5) Adrenals
Name 5 ORGANS which are not endocrine glands but contain endocrine cells? (think HOTTP – hott potato)
1) Hypothalamus
2) Ovaries
3) Thymus
4) Testes
5) Pancreas
Which organs of the body might you find aggregation of endocrine cells in? (SSKLHP)
1) Stomach
2) Small Intestine
3) Kidneys
4) Liver
5) Heart
6) Placenta
Why is it important as a CS therapist to have an awareness of the endocrine system – explain?
- Fundamental to maintaining healthy body and mind
- So structure and function are important to overall health and vitality of the persons system
How you as a CS therapist approach the endocrine system?
- Case history from patient
- Awareness of glandular function and dysfunction
- Identify restrictions to gland nerve supply, blood supply and drainage
- Identify tensions, restrictions to surrounding tissues – membrane; fascia; bone
- Identify energy restrictions to gland and surrounding tissues
- Awareness of interaction of glands in relation to each other – interactive nature
- Whole body CS integration
Give an example of the interactive nature of the endocrine system and explain?
Prolactin. On its own it has little impact on producing milk from the mammary glands. Other glands work to support mammary glands in producing milk:
Adrenals – provide oestrogen; progesterone; glucocorticoids
Pituitary – provides human growth hormone
Thyroid – provides thyroxin
Pancreas -provides insulin
How would you approach a client presenting with thyroid dysfunction?
- Emotional state – suppressed feeling; shock; holding something down
- Emotional centre holds
- Check pituitary gland
- Throat hold or fascia unwinding
- GP to check pituitary is producing sufficient TSH to stimulate thyroid function
What is the interaction and role between the pancreas, liver, adrenals?
- To maintain appropriate blood sugar levels
What does the Pituary gland do?
Pituitary gland controls all the activities of other endocrine glands in the body.
How is hormone secretion stimulated and inhibited? (3 ways)
1) Neurological stimulation e.g. via the adrenal medulla which is stimulated by the sympathetic division of ANS
2) Chemical levels in blood e.g. parathyroid glands stimulated by blood calcium levels
3) Hormone stimulation from other endocrine glands e.g. adrenal cortex stimulated by ACTH from pituitary
What is the Hypothalamus gland and its functions?
- An endocrine gland – secretes 9 hormones
- Regulates the pituitary gland through secretion of hormones (stimulation and inhibitory) and direct neurological stimulation.
- Links nervous system and endocrine system
- Regulates the autonomic nervous system
How many glands does the pituitary gland have?
- It is 2 glands – anterior and posterior
- AKA Hypothesis
Where is the Pituitary gland located?
Within the Sella turcica of the sphenoid body
Its stalk passes from the hypothalamus above
What is the Diaphragma Sella?
A membranous roof over the Sella Turcica which contains the pituitary gland.
The membrane is made of dura and arachnoid mater (which surrounds the brain)
The membrane encapsulates the pituitary gland and stalk so is bathed in CSF.
It releases secretions into the CSF as well as the blood.
Why is the tentorium significant when treating the pituitary gland?
The attachments of the superior and inferior leaf of the tentorium attach to the clinoid processes of the sphenoid.
The clinoid processes are in close proximity to the sphenoid body and sella turcica.
Any disturbances to the sphenoid, or the membranes surrounding the pituitary gland can restrict the free flow and free function of the pituitary. Intracranial membranes are all continuous.
What cranial nerve pathway would you associate with the pituitary gland and why?
Cranial Nerve II – Optic Nerve – optic nerve pathway, the optic chiasma is located anterior to the pituitary.
Dysfunction: pituitary tumour affecting medial fibres within the chiasma leading to tunnel vision.
What is the difference between the anterior and posterior pituitary?
Hypothalamus releases hormones to regulate the anterior pituitary gland which then secretes many hormones which target mostly other endocrine glands.
Hypothalamus provides direct neural stimulation to the posterior pituitary gland which then stores and secretes two hormones with specific effects.
Name hormones secreted by the anterior pituitary gland?
Human Growth Hormone (HGH); Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH); Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH); Luteinising Hormone (LH); Prolactin; Adrenocorticotrophic (ACTH); Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (MSH).
What would some of the effects be of anterior pituitary dysfunction?
Effect growth patterns and metabolism – dwarfism; gigantism; overactivity in adults causing thickening of bones (acromegaly) – think JAWS.
Name hormones secreted by the posterior pituitary gland? REMEMBER 2
Antidiuretic Hormone – retains water in body
Oxytocin – contracts uterus muscles and mammary glands – released during birth when prostaglandins are released and cervix compression. Nipple stimulation through suckling by baby.
What would some of the effects of posterior pituitary dysfunction be?
Diabetes Insipidus – under action of Antidiuretic hormone – over produces urine = increased thirst. Risk of dehydration.
Causes – head trauma; brain surgery.
What is the CS approach to treating the pituitary gland?
Case history – tunnel vision; head trauma; hormone issues; thyroid issues;
Connect with sphenoid; diaphragma sella; tentorium and surrounding membranes; CSF; venous drainage and nerve supply.
Energy drive to the gland itself – through nasion; bregma; pterions.
Therapeutic attention to gland and surrounding structures.
Integration of whole body.
Free expression of CS rhythms of all tides.
Contacts – bowl hold;
Describe everything you know about the pineal gland?
Size of a pea, shaped like a cone located in the pineal recess in the posterior (back) and superior (high) wall of the 3rd ventricle. Enveloped in a capsule of pia mater.
Produces the hormone Melatonin which can be secreted into the blood or into CSF.
Melatonin induces sleep; relaxation.
Sunlight stimulates sympathetic supply via superior cervical sympathetic ganglion (from T1/T2) which causes pineal gland to INHIBIT melatonin secretion = lack of sleep/ more awake.
Darkness causes pineal to secrete melatonin inducing sleepiness.
Function unclear – possible regulates whole endocrine system but also circadian rhythms.
Tend to be inhibitory (whereas pituitary is opposite and stimulates other glands)
Known issues linked to melatonin - SAD (seasonal affective disorder); insomnia; jet lag.
Describe everything you know about the Thyroid gland?
Located in throat
2 lobes each side of thyroid cartilage, on sides of trachea, isthmus runs below thyroid cartilage and connects 2 lobes.
Nerve supply - via Superior Cervical Sympathetic Ganglion from T1/T2
Hormones x 4 inc T3 and T4
Regulates basal metabolic rate
Regulates calcium levels in blood
What are the 2 main functions of the Thyroid Gland?
Regulates basal metabolic rate (BMR)
Regulates calcium levels in blood
