The endocrine system consists of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream to regulate bodily processes such as metabolism and growth. The system includes the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, adrenal glands, parathyroid glands, pineal gland, thyroid gland, islets of Langerhans in the pancreas, ovaries, and testicles. The pituitary gland is considered the “master gland” and regulates other glands. The nervous and endocrine systems work together to regulate body processes.
Endocrine glands are tissues that secrete substances called hormones into the bloodstream. These glands are found in different places in the body and secrete hormones that influence a huge range of bodily functions and processes. The endocrine glands include the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, adrenal glands, parathyroid glands, pineal gland, thyroid gland, islets of Langerhans in the pancreas, ovaries, and testicles. A pregnant woman’s uterus and placenta are also considered part of the endocrine system.
Collectively, the endocrine glands regulate bodily processes that occur slowly. Examples of such functions include metabolism, cell growth and puberty. Conversely, the nervous system controls functions that occur rapidly, such as movement. The nervous system and the endocrine system have different overall functions, but they are not completely distinct systems and work in conjunction with each other to regulate body processes. These two systems are connected by a part of the brain called the hypothalamus.
The endocrine glands affect the way the body works by producing hormones. These molecules act as messengers telling various cell types what to do and when to do it. There are many types of hormones, but most cell types can only interact with a limited number of them. Each endocrine gland produces some specific hormones and secretes them as needed in response to hormonal signals produced by other endocrine glands.
The most important of the endocrine glands is the pituitary gland. Considered the “master gland” of the endocrine system, it secretes hormones that regulate the activity of the thyroid, ovaries, testicles and adrenal glands. The pituitary gland also produces hormones that control the growth of body tissues, initiate uterine contractions during labor and breastfeeding in nursing women, regulate the body’s ability to feel pain, and help the body balance water levels. Also in the brain is the pineal gland. This gland secretes melatonin, which is involved in regulating the sleep-wake cycle.
The thyroid and parathyroid endocrine glands, located in the neck, regulate calcium metabolism and balance. The thyroid produces hormones that control the rate at which cells burn fat and other fuels for energy, as well as the rate of other chemical reactions in the body. The parathyroid glands produce a hormone that controls the level of calcium available in the bloodstream.
The adrenal glands, located above the kidneys, produce two important types of hormones: adrenaline and corticosteroids. Epinephrine, or adrenaline, is produced in response to stress and has the effect of increasing blood pressure and heart rate. Corticosteroids are important in several bodily processes, including stress response, immune function and sexual function.
Two important hormones are produced in the pancreas: glucagon and insulin. These hormones regulate blood sugar levels, levels of stored energy, and the conversion of sugar or stored energy into usable energy to fuel cellular chemical reactions. Both hormones are produced in an area of the pancreas called the islets of Langerhans.
Sex hormones are produced by two endocrine glands: the testicles in men and the ovaries in women. In men, the testicles produce androgens such as testosterone and control the body changes that occur during puberty, as well as sperm production. In women, the ovaries produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone, controlling the development of the body during puberty and controlling the menstrual cycle.
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