Your endocrine system sends and
receives chemical messages that
control many body functions.
endocrine glands
hormones
thyroid gland
parathyroid glands
pancreas
pituitary glands
adrenal glands
How the Endocrine System Works
The endocrine system includes various
organs that work together to regulate
body functions.
The endocrine system sends and receives
hormones.
How the Endocrine System Works
There are several different endocrine glands.
Endocrine glands
Ductless or tubeless organs
or groups of cells that secrete
hormones directly into the
bloodstream
How the Endocrine System Works
Endocrine glands secret hormones into the blood
to influence physical and mental responses.
Hormones
Chemical substances that
help regulate many of your
body’s functions
How the Endocrine System Works
Major Glands of the Endocrine System
Thyroid Gland
Pineal Gland
Parathyroid Glands
Pituitary Gland
Testes
Thymus
Ovaries
Adrenal Glands
Hypothalamus
Pancreas
How the Endocrine System Works
The thyroid gland produces thyroxine, which
regulates the way cells release energy from
nutrients.
Thyroid gland
Produces hormones that
regulate metabolism, body
heat, and bone growth
How the Endocrine System Works
The parathyroid glands are located in the neck
near the thyroid gland.
Parathyroid glands
Produce a hormone that
regulates the body’s balance
of calcium and phosphorus
How the Endocrine System Works
Testes
Male reproductive glands that produce sperm for
fertilization
Ovaries
Female reproductive glands that produce the egg cells
Hypothalamus
Links the endocrine system and the nervous system and
stimulates the pituitary gland to secrete hormones
Pineal Gland
Secretes the hormone melatonin, which is thought to affect
the onset of puberty, and regulates sleep cycles
Thymus
Regulates development of the immune system
Adrenal Glands
Regulate the body’s salt and water balance and control the
body’s emergency response
How the Endocrine System Works
The pancreas is an endocrine gland that secretes
two hormones—glucagon and insulin—that
regulate the level of glucose in the blood.
Pancreas
A gland that serves both the
digestive and the endocrine
systems
The Pituitary: The Master Gland
Known as the master gland, the pituitary gland
has three sections, or lobes: anterior, intermediate,
and posterior.
Pituitary gland
Regulates and controls
the activities of all other
endocrine glands
The Pituitary: The Master Gland
Hormones produced by the
pituitary gland play a significant
role in determining height.
Anterior Lobe
The anterior, or front, lobe of the pituitary gland produces these hormones:
Somatotropic, or
Growth Hormone
Stimulates normal body growth and
development
Thyroid-Stimulating
Hormone
Stimulates the thyroid gland to produce
hormones
Adrenocorticotropic
Hormone
Stimulates production of hormones in the
adrenal glands
Follicle-Stimulating
Hormone and
Luteinizing Hormone
Stimulates production of all other sex
hormones
Intermediate Lobe
The intermediate, or middle, lobe of the pituitary
secretes melanocyte-stimulating hormone, which
controls the darkening of the pigments in the skin.
Intermediate Lobe
The posterior, or rear, lobe of the pituitary secretes
antidiuretic hormone that
regulates the balance of water in the body, and
produces oxytocin, which stimulates the smooth
muscles in the uterus during pregnancy, causing
contractions during the birth of a baby.
The Adrenal Glands
The adrenal glands each have two parts: the
adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla.
Adrenal glands
Help the body deal with stress and
respond to emergencies
The Adrenal Glands
The adrenal cortex secretes hormones that
inhibit the amount of sodium excreted in urine and maintain
blood volume and blood pressure
aid in the metabolism of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates
influence the body’s response to stress
play a role in both the immune response and sexual function
The Adrenal Glands
The adrenal medulla secretes the hormones
epinephrine (also called adrenaline) and
norepinephrine.
Epinephrine increases heartbeat and respiration,
raises blood pressure, and suppresses the
digestive process during periods of high emotion.
Maintaining Your Endocrine Health
To keep your endocrine system working at
its peak, you need to follow sound health
practices.
Your endocrine health is directly related to your
overall health.
Maintaining Your Endocrine Health
Tips for Maintaining Your Endocrine Health
Eat balanced meals to ensure that you get the nutrients you need.
Use stress-management techniques.
Get 8 ½ to 9 hours of sleep every night.
Engage in regular physical activity.
Have regular medical checkups.
Maintaining Your Endocrine Health
These Endocrine Disorders
May Require Medication
Diabetes mellitus
Hypothyroidisim
Hyperthyroidism
Goiter
Overproduction of adrenal hormones
After You Read
Reviewing Facts and Vocabulary
1. What are hormones?
Chemical substances produced in glands that
help regulate many body functions
After You Read
Reviewing Facts and Vocabulary
2. Name the hormone that stimulates
normal growth and development.
Somatotropic hormone
After You Read
Reviewing Facts and Vocabulary
3. What gland helps regulate the chemicals
that control sleep?
Pineal gland