The Endocrine System Flashcards
What is the endocrine system?
Slow acting
Is based on hormones
Produces long lasting effects
Exocrine glands
Have ducts
Endocrine glands
Are ductless and make hormones
What is a hormone?
A protein or steroid
Where is a pituitary gland located?
In the middle of the head below the brain
What does the pituitary gland make?
Growth hormone which controls growth
Where is the hypothalamus located?
At the base of the brain
What does the hypothalamus make?
Anti-diuretic hormone which controls osmoregulation
Where is the pineal gland located?
In the brain
What does the pineal gland make?
Melatonin which controls body rythms
Where is the thyroid gland located?
The trachea in the neck
What does the thyroid gland make?
Thyroxine which controls metabolism
What does the deficiency of thyroxine cause?
Cretinism in children
Goitre, swelling and reduced metabolism in adults
What does excess thyroxine cause?
(Graves disease) Increased rates of metabolism
Where are the parathyroids located?
In the thyroid
