Endocrine ipad Anatomy lab
Use the ipad app: Visible Body Human Anatomy Atlas to examine the endocrine system organs.
Activity 1: Identify the Organs of the Endocrine System:
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Select either the male or female body. (NOTE: You will need to look at both the male and female bodies for this
activity.)
Select the ENDOCRINE tab on the left. Select 1. Endocrine Organs.
Select any part of the skin. It will be highlighted in blue. At the top, select the tab that says Integumentary
(Skin) System (This will select the entire integument) and press HIDE (This will reveal the endocrine system
glands (and associated structures).
Review Question: List the organs of the endocrine system from the superior part of the body IN ORDER as you
descend to the inferior part of the body. NOTE: Make sure to include differences between males and females.
Hypothalamus, Pineal gland, Pituitary gland, Thyroid Gland, Parathyroid gland, Thymus, Adrenal gland, Pancreas, Testes
(Male) or Ovary (Female)
Activity 2: Thyroid and Parathyroid glands
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Select either the male or female body.
Select the ENDOCRINE tab on the left. Select 6. Parathyroid glands.
Select the parathyroid gland. Select the parathyroid gland tab at the top and select fade others from the tools
on the bottom. This highlights the parathyroid glands in blue. Select Definition from below and read about the
parathyroid glands.
Select Show all from the tools on the bottom. Now select the thyroid gland. Select fade others from the tools
on the bottom. This highlights the thyroid gland in blue. Select Definition from below and read about the
thyroid glands.
Review Question: Explain the relationship between the thyroid and parathyroid glands both anatomically and
functionally.
Anatomically: Both the thyroid and parathyroid are located in the cervical region of the body inferior to the larynx.
The Parathyroid glands are located on the posterior side of the thyroid gland.
Functionally: The thyroid gland produces thyroid hormone and calcitonin. The parathyroid gland produces
parathyroid hormone. Both PTH and calcitonin are involved in regulating blood calcium levels.
Activity 3: Pituitary Gland
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Select either the male or female body.
Select the ENDOCRINE tab on the left. Select 13. Pituitary gland.
Select the pituitary gland. Use the tabs at the top to highlight the entire pituitary gland by selecting the pituitary
tab. Select Definition from below and read about the pituitary gland.
Select Multiple select tab on the right to turn on multiple select. Select the area of the brain just above the
pituitary gland. Confirm at the top that the hypothalamus is selected in blue. From the tools tab select fade
others. This will show the relationship between the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in blue. Rotate the
diagram with your fingers to view different angles of the structures. Select definition from below and read
about the hypothalamus.
Review Question: Explain the relationship between the hypothalamus and pituitary gland anatomically and
functionally.
Anatomically: The hypothalamus is superior to the pituitary gland and is connected by the infundibulum which
contains the hypothalamic-hypophyseal portal system.
Functionally: The hypothalamus regulates the pituitary gland. The posterior lobe of the pituitary functions to store
hormones produced by the hypothalamus.
Activity 4: Pineal Gland
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Select either the male or female body.
Select the ENDOCRINE tab on the left. Select 14. Pineal gland.
Use the search tab below and type in pineal. This will highlight the pineal gland in blue on the diagram.
Select fade others from the tools tab below. Select definition from below and read about the pineal
gland.
Select Diencephalon from the tabs at the top. This will highlight the entire region of the brain referred
to as the diencephalon. Select definition from below and read about the diencephalon.
Review Question: Describe the anatomical location of the pineal gland in the brain. Identify all the endocrine
glands associated with the diencephalon.
The diencephalon includes the hypothalamus and pineal gland as part of the endocrine system. The pineal gland
(epiphysis) is posterior on the diencephalon near the hypothalamus and is attached to the roof of the third ventricle.