“Endocrine System, Hormones and Glands” –“what the heck?!”
–Hey, don’t be bothered. This topic is not hard as you think. We’ll just tackle the basics (I promise). I will be emphasizing the outline of endocrine glands, (where they are found in the body and hormones they produce.)
Here is a quick review of the endocrine system. The endocrine system is a system of glands, each of which secretes a type of hormone into the bloodstream to regulate the body. Hormones regulate many functions of an organism, including mood, growth and development, tissue function, and metabolism.
Deep inside the head, way beyond the skull –yes exactly! Inside the brain lies a very small gland named the hypothalamus. For more specific coordinates the hypothalamus is located below the thalamus, just above the brain stem. The hypothalamus produces hormones such as the Thyrotropin –releasing hormone (TRH), Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and the Growth Hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). I know they are like hard to pronounce tongue twisters and its not easy memorizing these alien words. Here’s a clue: the hormones ending with –releasing hormones are hormones of the hypothalamus.
The hypothalamus has downward tubular projections connecting to our next gland, the pituitary gland or the hypophysis. Dubbed the “master gland”, the pituitary secretes different hormones that are very essential to the other glands of the body. The pituitary is divided into two lobes. The anterior (front) lobe grows upward and produces another mind bugling names of hormones namely: Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone (ACTH), Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) or thyrotropin, Luteinising Hormone (LH), Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Prolactin (PRL), Growth Hormone (GH), and Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone (MSH). Another hint: most anterior pituitary hormones are “Stimulating Hormones”.On the other hand, the posterior (back) lobe, or neurohypophysis, grows downward and secretes two hormones: Vasopressin or Anti-diuretic Hormone and Oxytocin.
As we travel lower inside the body, we find the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is located in the anterior part of the neck in the midline. It consists of two lateral lobes lying on each side of the thyroid cartilage (Adam's apple). This gland is responsible for the production of triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4). Other specialized cells in the thyroid synthesize calcitonin. Imbedded in the tissue of the thyroid gland, the parathyroid gland creates the parathyroid hormone (easiest gland to remember right?).
Situated in the upper abdomen the pancreas is located and is characterized by an inverted smoker’s pipe shape. It consists of cells known as the islet of Langerhans which secretes the hormones Glucagon (from the alpha cells), Insulin (from the beta cells) and Somatostatin (from the delta cells). For easier memorization here's a mnemonic: GA-BI-DS "GABIDS".
The adrenal glands, roofing on top of both kidneys, is made of two parts: the outer region is called the adrenal cortex and the inner region is called the adrenal medulla. Both parts of the adrenal glands -- the adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla – secrete different hormones. The adrenal cortex is responsible for the production of cortisol, 11-deoxycortisol and aldosterone while the adrenal medulla produces epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine.
We’re almost done. The last batch of endocrine glands is the gonads –I think you know where these glands are situated. These glands are responsible for the characteristics of the different sexes. For the male, the testes produce the hormone testosterone while for the females, the ovaries is responsible for synthesizing estrogen. There are three types of estrogen -the estrone, estriol and estradiol.
Clinchem30b FACT #1 (nice to know):
Other vital organs also produce hormones. For example the kidneys may produce erythropoietin (blood production) and the liver is responsible for synthesizing the thrombopoietin (platelet production). The placenta also produces the hormone Human Chorionic Gonadothropin which creates a suitable environment for the fetus.
–Hey, don’t be bothered. This topic is not hard as you think. We’ll just tackle the basics (I promise). I will be emphasizing the outline of endocrine glands, (where they are found in the body and hormones they produce.)
Here is a quick review of the endocrine system. The endocrine system is a system of glands, each of which secretes a type of hormone into the bloodstream to regulate the body. Hormones regulate many functions of an organism, including mood, growth and development, tissue function, and metabolism.
Deep inside the head, way beyond the skull –yes exactly! Inside the brain lies a very small gland named the hypothalamus. For more specific coordinates the hypothalamus is located below the thalamus, just above the brain stem. The hypothalamus produces hormones such as the Thyrotropin –releasing hormone (TRH), Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and the Growth Hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). I know they are like hard to pronounce tongue twisters and its not easy memorizing these alien words. Here’s a clue: the hormones ending with –releasing hormones are hormones of the hypothalamus.
The hypothalamus has downward tubular projections connecting to our next gland, the pituitary gland or the hypophysis. Dubbed the “master gland”, the pituitary secretes different hormones that are very essential to the other glands of the body. The pituitary is divided into two lobes. The anterior (front) lobe grows upward and produces another mind bugling names of hormones namely: Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone (ACTH), Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) or thyrotropin, Luteinising Hormone (LH), Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Prolactin (PRL), Growth Hormone (GH), and Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone (MSH). Another hint: most anterior pituitary hormones are “Stimulating Hormones”.On the other hand, the posterior (back) lobe, or neurohypophysis, grows downward and secretes two hormones: Vasopressin or Anti-diuretic Hormone and Oxytocin.
As we travel lower inside the body, we find the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is located in the anterior part of the neck in the midline. It consists of two lateral lobes lying on each side of the thyroid cartilage (Adam's apple). This gland is responsible for the production of triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4). Other specialized cells in the thyroid synthesize calcitonin. Imbedded in the tissue of the thyroid gland, the parathyroid gland creates the parathyroid hormone (easiest gland to remember right?).
Situated in the upper abdomen the pancreas is located and is characterized by an inverted smoker’s pipe shape. It consists of cells known as the islet of Langerhans which secretes the hormones Glucagon (from the alpha cells), Insulin (from the beta cells) and Somatostatin (from the delta cells). For easier memorization here's a mnemonic: GA-BI-DS "GABIDS".
The adrenal glands, roofing on top of both kidneys, is made of two parts: the outer region is called the adrenal cortex and the inner region is called the adrenal medulla. Both parts of the adrenal glands -- the adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla – secrete different hormones. The adrenal cortex is responsible for the production of cortisol, 11-deoxycortisol and aldosterone while the adrenal medulla produces epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine.
We’re almost done. The last batch of endocrine glands is the gonads –I think you know where these glands are situated. These glands are responsible for the characteristics of the different sexes. For the male, the testes produce the hormone testosterone while for the females, the ovaries is responsible for synthesizing estrogen. There are three types of estrogen -the estrone, estriol and estradiol.
Clinchem30b FACT #1 (nice to know):
Other vital organs also produce hormones. For example the kidneys may produce erythropoietin (blood production) and the liver is responsible for synthesizing the thrombopoietin (platelet production). The placenta also produces the hormone Human Chorionic Gonadothropin which creates a suitable environment for the fetus.
Well that’s about it. For a quick summary check this out:
References:
M. Bishop; Clinical Chemistry: Principles, Procedures, Correlations; 2005
D. Calbreath; Clinical Chemistry: A Fundamental Textbook
Photocredit:
http://scienceblogs.com/clock/2006/06/bio101_lecture_6_physiology_re.php
Animation by:
Clinchem30b
M. Bishop; Clinical Chemistry: Principles, Procedures, Correlations; 2005
D. Calbreath; Clinical Chemistry: A Fundamental Textbook
Photocredit:
http://scienceblogs.com/clock/2006/06/bio101_lecture_6_physiology_re.php
Animation by:
Clinchem30b
June 1, 2010 at 6:44 PM
Hello Joseph,
PROS
Good presentation.
Simplifies the topic.
CONS
You can create links from your difficult medical terms to outside links.
June 2, 2010 at 4:32 AM
sige po mam i'll take that good advice.... thank you po
June 15, 2010 at 4:50 AM
heya cupcake. ^_^
i'll make your post as a good reference for our review. heheh.
~ one thing i've noticed, were you trying to imagine that you're talking to high school students while writing this post? i like the way you narrated, it's as if you're just telling a story. hahah. GOOD JOB!
<3 lots!