Endocrine System
Functions:
The Endocrine system helps to regulate the body’s activities. It
consists of a number of glands, which produce groups of chemical
messages, called hormones. Hormones are released into the bloodstream,
and are carried around the body, until they reach their destination.
Major parts and organs:
The major organs of the endocrine system are the pituitary gland, the
hypothalamus gland, the thyroid gland, the parathyroid glands, the
adrenal glands, the pancreas gland, the teste glands(male), and the
ovaries (female). The two most important glands are the pituitary and
hypothalamus glands. These glands interact with the brain, the body, and
each other. One of their vital functions is to control how many hormones
other glands release. The thyroid gland is one of the main hormone-
producing glands. It is found in the neck, below the larynx and consists of
two lobes joined together. The parathyroid glands consist of four
oval-shaped structures embedded in the thyroid gland. The adrenal glands
are small hormonal glands that lie on top of the kidney. The outer part of the
gland produces three hormones. The first hormone is to control the balance
of minerals in your blood. The second hormone is steroids to regulate your
metabolism. The third hormone is sex hormones for reproduction. The
inner part of the gland produces adrenaline. The pancreas is situated in your
upper abdomen, just behind the stomach. It produces juices to aid digestion,
and release insulin and gulcagon into the upper blood. The testes(male) are
two glands which hang just outside the abdomen inside the scrotal sac.
These glands produce a hormone called testosterone. These sex hormones
control the development of the male reproductive organ, and the appearance
of male characteristics at puberty. The ovaries(female) are two glands that
are on either side of the uterus. These glands produce two female sex
hormones, called estrogen and progesterone. These sex hormones control
the development of the female reproductive organs, and the appearance of
female characteristics at puberty.
Interactions with other systems:
The Endocrine system interacts with the Circulatory and
Reproductive systems. The blood in the Circulatory system receives
chemical messages, called hormones, that are released from your hormonal
glands. Hormones travel in the bloodstream to wherever they are needed in
the body. In the Reproductive system, the female menstrual cycle is
stimulated by hormones released by the brain and reproductive organs.
Also, male sexual characteristics are also produced by hormones released by
the brain and reproductive organs.
Diseases:
Some of the diseases of the Endocrine system are Diabetes
Insipidus, Diabetes Mellitus, and Addison’s disease. Diabetes Insipidus
is a rare disease caused by a deficiency of vasopressin, one of the hormones
of the posterior pituitary gland. Some symptoms are thirst and excretion of
large amounts of urine. Treatment consists of hormonal therapy. Diabetes
Mellitus is a disease caused by defective carbohydrate metabolism and
characterized by abnormally large amounts of sugar in the blood and urine. It
affects ten to twelve million people in the U.S. This condition is treated most
commonly with insulin. Addison’s disease is a chronic disorder resulting
from insufficiency of the Adrenal glands. The insufficiency can occur after a
severe infection, after massive bleeding of the adrenals, or after surgery
affecting the glands, but in most cases the origin of the disease is unknown.
The resulting lack of hormone secretion causes such symptoms as weakness
and fatigue,weight loss, low blood pressure, gastrointestinal distress, low
blood sugar, depression and irritability, and increased skin pigmentation. It
was once inevitably fatal, the disease is now treated effectively with daily
dosed of cortisone or hydrocortisone and additional salt in the diet.