Ch 18 Lesson 1


A system in your body that is made up of
glands that secrete hormones to help regulate
many of the body functions
Especially important during the teen yearshelps regulate growth and development


Endocrine glands- ductless, or tubeless organs
or group of cells that secrete hormones directly
into the blood stream
Hormones- chemical substances that are
produced in glands and help regulate many of
your body’s functions






Pituitary Gland- one of the most important glands
because it regulates and controls all the other
endocrine glands “master gland”
Hypothalamus- links endocrine system with
nervous system, tells Pituitary gland what to do
Thyroid- regulates metabolism, body heat, and
bone growth
Gonads- ovaries and testes, male and female
reproductive glands
Pancreas- regulates level of blood glucose
Adrenal- control body’s emergency response,
regulates salt and water balance




Divided into three sections; anterior, intermediate,
and posterior
Anterior (front)- stimulates normal body growth
and development, stimulates the thyroid to
produce hormones, stimulates production of
hormones in the adrenal glands, controls growth,
development, and function of the gonads
Intermediate (middle)- controls darkening of the
skin
Posterior (rear)- regulates the balance of water in
the body



Helps the body recover from stress and
respond to emergencies
Adrenal Cortex- secretes hormone that inhibits
amount of sodium excreted in urine and serves
to maintain blood volume and pressure, aids in
metabolism of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates
Adrenal Medulla- secretes epinephrine and
norepinephrine which increase heart beat and
respiration, raises blood pressure, and
suppresses digestive process during periods of
high emotion



Produces hormones that regulate metabolism
Located in the front of the throat, shaped like a
butterfly
Produces Thyroxine, which regulates the way
cells release energy from nutrients





Diabetes mellitus- disorder in which the pancreas
produces too little or no insulin, resulting in high blood
glucose levels
Graves Disease- hyperthyroidism overactive thyroid
gland produces excessive amounts of thyroxine
Cushing’s Disease- overproduction of adrenal
hormones; symptoms round face, humped upper back,
thin and easily bruised skin
Goiter- enlarged thyroid gland, caused mainly by lack
of iodine in diet
Growth Disorder- abnormal amounts of growth
hormone, with early diagnosis and proper treatment a
child can reach normal height