Endocrine System
Mrs. Atchison
Health Science I
Function of endocrine system
Endocrine glands - Secrete chemicals, hormones,
directly into bloodstream.
- Ductless glands
Exocrine glands - Secrete substance through a
duct
i.e.Sweat, salivary, lacrimal and pancreas.
Hormones = chemical substances that coordinate
and direct target cells and organs.
Negative Feedback
Drop in hormone level triggers chain
reaction:
1. Blood level of hormone falls
2. Brain gets message and sends out
hormone to stimulate gland
3. Gland secretes more hormone
4. When blood levels of hormone increase,
the brain hormones stop
Nervous Control

In some cases, sympathetic nervous
system causes direct release of hormone
from gland
i.e. stress may cause the adrenal medulla
to secrete adrenaline
What is a gland?

Any organ that produces a secretion
called hormones

It is ductless

Only acts on Target cells
Question
Hormone release provides
immediate body responses because
the hormones are directed toward:
 A. cardiac cells.
 B. cyclic AMP cells.
 C. synaptic junctions.
 D. target organ cells

Answer

Target organ cells
Pituitary Gland
Tiny – size of a grape
Base of brain
Connected to
hypothalamus
Anterior / Posterior
lobes
Cranial cavity
“Master Gland”
Anterior Pituitary Lobe
GH – Growth hormone (somatotropin) responsible
for growth and development
Prolactin – develops breast tissue, stimulates
production of milk after childbirth
TSH – Thyroid stimulating hormone – stimulates
thyroid cells to produce thyroid hormone =
thyroxine (low TSH treated with synthroid)
ACTH – Adrenocortiocotropic hormone – stimulates
adrenal cortex
Question
Jackie complained to his/her doctor
about nervousness, and weight loss
even though he/she has had
increased food intake. Laboratory
tests revealed that Jackie had an
elevated level of which hormone?
 A. Adrenaline
 B. Glucagon
 C. Parathormone
 D. Thyroxin

Answer

Thyroxin
Anterior Pituitary cont’d
FSH – Follicle stimulating hormone –
stimulates growth of follicle and
production of estrogen in females and
sperm in males
LH – Luteinizing hormone – stimulates
ovulation and formation of corpus luteum,
which produces progesterone in females
Posterior Pituitary Lobe
Vasopressin – converts to ADH
(antidiuretic hormone) in the
bloodstream, acts on kidney to
concentrate urine and preserve water in
the body
Oxytocin – released during childbirth
causing contractions of the uterus
Question
The pituitary gland is located:
A. at the base of the brain.
 B. atop the kidney.
 C. in the chest.
 D. in the pelvic cavity.


answer

At the base of the brain
Question
Which gland is divided into anterior
and posterior lobes?
 A. Gonads
 B. Pituitary
 C. Thymus
 D. Thyroid

Answer

Pituitary
Question
The pregnant woman began to have
contractions of the uterus in
preparation for childbirth. What is
the name of the hormone that
initiated her contractions?
 A. Follicle stimulating hormone
 B. Luteinizing hormone
 C. Oxytocin
 D. Prolactin

Answer

oxytocin
Thyroid Gland
Thyroid Gland
1. Butterfly-shaped mass of tissue.
2. On either side of larynx, in front of the
trachea.
3. H-shaped.
Thyroid – stimulating hormone (stimulates
cellular metabolism) – Main hormone
Thyroxine – controlled by secretion of
TSH – controls rate of metabolism
Calcitonin – controls calcium ion
concentration in the body – prevents
hypercalcemia
Question
Which gland is butterfly-shaped and
located in the anterior neck on
either side of the larynx?
 A. Gonads
 B. Pituitary
 C. Thymus
 D. Thyroid

Answer

Thyroid
Parathyroid Glands
4 glands size of a grain of
rice
Attached to posterior
thyroid
Produce parathormone
which helps control blood
calcium, prevents
hypocalcemia.
Thymus Gland
Endocrine and lymphatic organ
Behind sternum, above and in front of heart
Begins to disappear at puberty
Produces Thymosin – reacts upon lymphoid
tissue to produce T-lymphocytes
Question
Which gland is posterior to the
sternum
 A. Parathyroid
 B. Pituitary
 C. Thymus
 D. Thyroid

answer

thymus
Adrenal Glands
Adrenal Glands – above kidneys
Adrenal cortex secretes
corticoids (anti-inflammatory
hormones) and sex hormones
Androgens – Male sex hormones
Adrenalin – hormone from
adrenal medulla, powerful
cardiac stimulant, “fight or
flight” hormone – response to
stress
Question
In an emergency situation, the "fight
or flight" hormone will increase the
heart rate and blood pressure.This
hormone is:
 A. ADH.
 B. adrenalin.
 C. insulin.
 D. thyroxin.

Answer

adrenalin
Question
The adrenal glands are located
directly above the kidneys and are:
 A. composed of only a few cells.
 B. divided into the cortex and
medulla.
 C. exocrine glands.
 D. pine-shaped.

Answer

B
Question
A small child was being chased by a
large dog. Out of fear, the child ran
really fast. Which hormone enabled
the child to get away from the dog?
 A. Adrenal
 B. Parathyroid
 C. Pineal
 D. Thymus

Answer

adrenal
Question
On his way to work, the student
witnessed a traffic accident. His
heart rate increased and his mental
alertness improved as he assisted
the victims.The student’s response
result from the release of:
 A. corticosteroids.
 B. epinephrine.
 C. parathromone.
 D. thyroxin.

Answer

epinepherine
Gonads
Gonads – ovaries in female and testes in male
Estrogen – Development of female reproductive
organs, secondary sex characteristics
Progesterone – Plays a part in the menstrual
cycle
Testosterone – Male reproductive organs and
secondary sex characteristics
Question
A 19 year old male that has not
begun to develop chest hair, a deep
voice, or increased muscle mass may
be deficient in which hormone?
 A. Estrogen
 B. Insulin
 C. Progesterone
 D. Testosterone

Answer

Testosterone
Question
A teenage girl that has undeveloped
breasts and has not started her
menstrual cycle indicates that a
hormone deficiency exists. What
hormone is deficient?
 A. Estrogen
 B. Insulin
 C. Oxytocin
 D. Testosterone


Answer

estrogen
Steroid Abuse-has side effects
Steroid testing
question
Liver damage, heart disease,
testicular changes, and breast
growth in males are symptoms of
 A. Addison’s disease.
 B. Cushing’s syndrome.
 C. hyperthyroidism.
 D. steroid abuse.

Answer

steroids
Pancreas
Pancreas – abdominal cavity behind the
stomach
Endocrine and exocrine functions
Islets of Langerhans – Insulin production.
Insulin promotes utilization of glucose by
the cells – lowers blood sugar levels
Question
Which endocrine gland contains the
Islets of Langerhans?
 A. Brain stem
 B. Liver
 C. Pancreas
 D. Thymus

Answer

pancreas
Question
Janie has hyperglycemia and is being
treated with insulin. Which of Janie’s
endocrine glands is functioning
inefficiently?
 A. Adrenal
 B. Pancreas
 C. Pituitary
 D. Thyroid

Answer

pancreas
The breast feeding hormone

Prolactin
Question
The obstetrician instructs a new
mother about the changes in her
body He/she explains that her breast
milk production is the result of
 A. growth hormone.
 B. oxytocin.
 C. prolactin.
 D. vasopressin

Answer

prolactin
Question
The pancreas is also an organ of the:
A. circulatory system.
 B. digestive system.
 C. lymphatic system.
 D. respiratory system.


Answer

Digestive
Endocrine Disorders - Dwarfism
Hypofunction of
pituitary in childhood
Small size, but body
proportions and
intellect normal
Sexual immaturity
Rx – Early diagnosis,
injection of growth
hormone
Gigantism
Gigantism
Hyperfunction of
pituitary – Too much
growth hormone
In preadolescence –
Overgrowth of long
bones leads to excessive
tallness
Question
The endocrinologist saw a patient
whose parents were concerned
about their 8 year old child’s short
stature.The physician suspects that
the child may have a deficiency in:
 A. growth hormone.
 B. oxytocin.
 C. prolactin.
 D. vasopressin

Answer

Growth hormone
Acromegaly
Hyperfunction of pituitary – too much
growth hormone in adulthood
Overdevelopment of bones in face, hands
and feet
Attacks cartilage – so the chin protrudes lips, nose and extremities enlarge
Rx – drugs to inhibit growth hormone –
radiation
Question
A 47 year old man went to see his
doctor. When reviewing family
pictures, the patient’s wife noted that
her husband had developed enlarged
hands, lips and nose, and that his chin
protrudes more than it used to.
Following some laboratory studies, the
doctor diagnosed the patient with:
 A. acromegaly.
 B. Grave’s disease.
 C. hypothyroidism.
 D. toxic goiter

Answer

Acromegaly
Hyperthyroidism
Overactive thyroid gland
Too much thyroxine leads to
enlargement of gland
Symptoms – Consuming large
quantities of food but lose
weight – nervous irritability
Goiter – Enlargement of gland
Exophthalmos – Bulging of
eyeballs
Trt – Partial or total removal of
gland, drugs to reduce include
thyroxine radiation
Hypothyroidism
Not enough thyroxine
May be due to lack of iodine
(simple goiter)
Other cause – inflammation of
thyroid which destroys the
ability of the gland to make
thyroxine
Symptoms – Dry, itchy skin; dry
and brittle hair, constipation,
muscle cramps at night.
Exopthalmus-bulging eyes
Did you know?
Question
The endocrine disorder that could
be prevented by using iodized salt is:
 A. acromegaly.
 B. gigantism.
 C. hyperthyroidism.
 D. hypothyroidism

Answer

hypothyroidism
question
Terri has an excessive appetite but
has trouble gaining weight. She also
has exophthalmos. What disorder
might she have?
 A. Addison’s disease
 B. Cushing’s syndrome
 C. Hyperthyroidism
 D. Steroid abuse

Answer

Hyperthyroidism
Tetany
In hypoparathyroidism, decreased calcium
levels affect functions of nerves
Symptoms – Convulsive twitching develops,
person dies of spasms in the respiratory
muscles
Rx – Vitamin D, calcium and parathormone.
Diabetes Mellitus
Cause – Decreased secretion of insulin
Symptoms – Polyuria, polyphagia,
polydipsia, weight loss, blurred vision,
and possible diabetic muscles.
If not treated, excess glucose in blood
(hyperglycemia) and secreted in urine
(glycosuria)
If too much insulin given, blood sugar can
get too low (hypoglycemia) and person
can develop insulin shock.
Type II diabetes is not insulin-dependent –
Most common, usually familial, occurs
later in life, usually treated with diet.
Test for diabetes – Blood sample at home,
normal blood sugar is 80-100 mg. –
screening=urinalysis
Hyperglycemia
(High Blood Glucose)
Causes: Too much food, too little
insulin or diabetes medicine, illness
or stress.
Onset: Gradual, may progress to
diabetic coma.
Symptoms: Extreme thirst,
frequent urination, dry skin, hunger,
blurred vision, drowsiness, and
nausea.
What can you do? Take blood
glucose tests, and if over 250 mg/dL
for several tests, call your doctor.
Hypoglycemia
(Low Blood Glucose)
Causes: Too little food, too much insulin or diabetes medicine, or extra exercise.
Onset: Sudden, may progress to insulin shock.
Symptoms: Shaking, fast heartbeat, sweating, anxious, dizziness, hunger, impaired vision,
weakness fatigue, headache, and irritablility.
What can you do? Drink ½ glass of orange juice or skim milk, or eat several hard
candies, test your blood glucose; if symptoms don’t stop call your doctor, within 30
minutes after symptoms go away, eat a light snack (a ½ peanut butter or meat sandwich
and a ½ glass of mik.
Question
Janie has hyperglycemia and is being
treated with insulin. Which of Janie’s
endocrine glands is functioning
inefficiently?
 A. Adrenal
 B. Pancreas
 C. Pituitary
 D. Thyroid

Answer

pancreas
Endocrine Terminology
1. Thyroxine – Regulates body metabolism
2. Adrenalin – Stimulates the heart to beat faster
3. Parathyroid – Regulates use of calcium
4. Parathormone – Control use of calcium phosphorus
5. Insulin – Secreted by pancreas
6. Calcitonin – Affects neuromuscular functioing, blood
clotting, and holds cells together
7. Estrogen – Governs reproduction and fertility
8. Oxytocin – Causes the uterus to contract during labor
9. Gonad – Sex gland
10. ATCH – Hormone secreted by the pituitary gland
Endocrine Terminology Cont.
11. Acromegaly – Enlargement of bones of the extremities.
12. Adenectomy – Removal of any gland.
13. Adenoidectomy – Removal of the adenoids.
14. Adrenogenic – Originating in the adrenals.
15. Dwarfism – Condition of being abnormally small.
16. Endocrine – Ductless; to secrete within.
17. Endocrinotherapy – Treatment with endocrine
preparation.
18. Exocrine – To secrete through a duct.
19.Goiter – Enlarged thyroid gland.
Endocrine Terminology Cont.
20. Goitrogens – Any substance that causes a goiter.
21. Lymphycytopenia – Deficiency of lymph cells.
22. Pancreatolysis – Breakdown of the pancreas.
23. Parathyrotoxicosis – Poisonous condition of the
parathyroid.
24. Pinealoma – Tumor of the pineal gland.
25. Pituitarigenic – Originating in the pituitary.
26. Thyroadenitis – Inflammation of the thyroid gland.
Disorders of the
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
Adrenal Cortex
Addison's diseaseadrenal glands produce
too little cortisol and
often insufficient levels of
aldosterone as well.
What is the cause of Addison’s disease?
What are the most common symptoms of
Addison’s disease?
How is Addison’s disease treated?
4.04 Understand the functions and disorders
of the endocrine system
Hyperpigmented skin
Treatment-Addison’s
Question
Trey has the appearance of a tan
even during the winter months.
During a physical exam, he had a low
blood pressure and low blood sugar.
These symptoms are indicative of:
 A. Addison’s disease.
 B. Cushing’s syndrome.
 C. hyperthyroidism.
 D. steroid abuse.

Answer

Addison’s Disease
Question
In an emergency situation, the "fight
or flight" hormone will increase the
heart rate and blood pressure.This
hormone is:
 A. ADH.
 B. adrenalin.
 C. insulin.
 D. thyroxin

Answer

Adrenalin
Question
The 76 year old female was
transported to the hospital following
a fall. Upon examination, it was
determined that she sustained a
fracture of the head of her femur.
This injury was likely related to:
 A. acromegaly.
 B. bone deformity.
 C. myxedema.
 D. osteoporosis.

Answer

osteoporosis
Cushing’s Disease
high levels of the hormone cortisol
 Symptoms Women-Thicker or more visible body and
facial hair (hirsutism), irregular or absent
menstrual periods
 Men-Decreased libido, decreased fertility,
erectile dysfunction

Common Signs





Weight gain and fatty tissue deposits,
particularly around the midsection and
upper back, in the face (moon face), and
between the shoulders (buffalo hump)
Pink or purple stretch marks (striae) on the
skin of the abdomen, thighs, breasts and
arms
Thinning, fragile skin that bruises easily
Slow healing of cuts, insect bites and
infections
Acne