ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

LESSON 10 | ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM HORMONES
- The major endocrine structure is the brain and or - Only affect certain types of tissue in the organs
specialized glands. - Target cells must have specific protein receptors.
- Second controlling system of the body - Hormone binding alters different cellular
- Nervous system is the fast-controlling system. activities.
- Uses chemical messengers (hormones) that are
released within the blood. FUNCTIONS
Exocrine System – Glands release their secretions - Change plasma membrane permeability or
membrane potential by opening or closing ion
through ducts; sebaceous and sweat glands.
channels.
Endocrinology – Scientific study of hormones and - Activate or inactivate enzymes.
endocrine organs; amino-acid based. - Stimulate or inhibit cell division.
- Promote or inhibit secretion of a product
- Proteins
- Peptides
- Amines HORMONE MECHANISMS
DIRECT GENE ACTIVATION
MAJOR PROCESSES - Used by steroid hormones and thyroid
hormones.
✓ Reproduction
✓ Growth and development 1. Steroid hormones diffuse through the plasma
✓ Mobilization of body defenses membrane of the target cells.
✓ Maintenance of homeostasis 2. Hormones enter the nucleus.
✓ Regulation of metabolism 3. Binds to a specific protein within the nucleus.
4. Hormone receptor binds to a specific protein
- Hormones are produced by specialized cells. within the nucleus.
5. Certain genes are activated to transcribe
- Cells secrete hormones into the extracellular fluid.
mRNA.
- Blood transfers hormones to target sites.
6. New proteins are synthesized.
- Regulates activities of other cells.

STEROIDS SECOND-MESSENGER SYSTEM

- Made from Cholesterol - Used by protein and peptide hormones.
PROSTAGLANDINS
- Made from highly active lipids that acts as local 1. Hormone (1st messenger) binds to a
hormones. membrane receptor
- Comes from the plasma membrane of all body 2. Activated receptor sets off a series of reactions
cells; derived from fatty acids. that activates an enzyme.
- Act locally at the site of release. 3. Enzyme catalyzes a reaction that produces a
Promotes: second-messenger molecule. Such as (cAMP)
✓ Vasoconstriction or cyclic adeno monophosphate
✓ Constriction of respiratory passageways 4. Oversees additional intracellular changes to
✓ Stimulates muscles of the uterus promote a scientific response to a target cell.
✓ Menstrual pain and labor
✓ Enhance blood clotting and causes fever.

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Adriel Vamos | BSN 1-F
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
LESSON 10 | ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
STIMULI MAIN ENDOCRINE ORGANS
HORMONAL STIMULI Hypothalamus
- Most common category of stimulus Pituitary gland
- Endocrine glands are activated by other Pineal gland
hormones. Thymus gland
Ex. Hormones of the hypothalamus stimulate the Thyroid gland
anterior pituitary gland to secrete. Parathyroid gland
Adrenal gland
HUMORAL STIMULI Pancreas
- Changing blood levels of certain ions and Gonads
nutrients stimulate hormone release.
- Humoral indicates various body fluids such as
blood and bile. PITUITARY GLAND
Ex. Parathyroid hormone and calcitonin are → Pea-sized; hangs on the hypothalamus.
produced in response to changing levels of blood → Protected by Sella turcica of the sphenoidal bone.
calcium. → Master Endocrine gland

NEURAL STIMULI → Two Functional Lobes

- Nerve fibers stimulate hormone release. 1. Anterior Pituitary - Glandular tissue
- Most are under control of the sympathetic 2. Posterior Pituitary – Nervous tissue
nervous system.
Ex. Sympathetic saturation of the adrenal medulla to → Hypothalamus produces releasing hormones and
release epinephrine and norepinephrine. inhibiting hormones.
→ Released into portal circulation which connects
the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland.

TYPES OF SIGNALING Thyroid Hormones; T3 and T4

ENDOCRINE Pituitary stimulating hormone:
- Signaling molecules (hormones) are secreted by - Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
specialized endocrine cells and carried through Hypothalamic Releasing hormone
the circulation to act on a target cell at distant - Thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH)
body sites.
Cortisol
AUTOCRINE Pituitary stimulating hormone:
- production and secretion of an extracellular - Adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH)
mediator by a cell followed by the binding of that Hypothalamic Releasing hormone
mediator to receptors on the same cell to initiate - Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF)
signal transduction.
Estrogen or Testosterone
PARACRINE Pituitary stimulating hormone:
- Allows cells to communicate with each other by - Follicle-Stimulating hormone (FSH)
releasing signaling molecules that bind to and - Luteinizing hormone (LH)
activate surrounding/Neighboring cells. Hypothalamic Releasing hormone
- Luteinizing releasing hormone (LRH)
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)

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Adriel Vamos | BSN 1-F
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
LESSON 10 | ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
Insulin like Growth Factor POSTERIOR PITUITARY HORMONES
Pituitary stimulating hormone: 1. Oxytocin
- Growth Hormone - Stimulate contractions during labor.
Hypothalamic Releasing hormone
- Growth hormone, Releasing hormone (GRGH) 2. Antidiuretic hormones
- Inhibits urine production.
- Promoting water reabsorption by the kidneys.
ANTERTIOR PITUITARY HORMONES - Causes vasoconstriction (large amounts) leading
DIRECT - Hormones that affect non-endocrine targets. to increased blood pressure; also known as
1. Growth Hormone vasopressin.
- Stimulates bone and tissue growth.
- General metabolic hormone CLINICAL INTERESTS
- Causes amino acids to be built into proteins.
- Cause fats to be broken down; source of energy. Diabetes Insipidus – Hyposecretion of ADH

2. Prolactin PINEAL GLAND

- Stimulates milk production in females. - Hangs from the 3rd Ventricle of the Brain
- Breast development - Secretes melatonin.

TROPIC – Have other endocrine glands as their target. Melatonin

1. Follicle-stimulating Hormone - Believed to trigger the body’s sleep/wake cycle.
- Normal functioning of the Reproductive system - Coordinates with the hormones of fertility in
- Helps control menstrual cycle and production of humans.
eggs by the ovaries. - To inhibit the reproductive system until maturity
occurs.
2. Luteinizing Hormone
- Control sexual function and Production of sex THYROID GLAND
hormones, steroids, estrogen, and progesterone. - Found at the base of the throat; inferior to the
Adam’s apple.
3. Thyrotropic Hormone - Consists of two lobes and a connecting isthmus.
- Influences growth activity of the thyroid gland - Follicles are hollow structures that store colloidal
material.
4. Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
- Regulates endocrine activity of the adrenal Produces 2 Hormones
cortex. 1. Thyroid Hormone
- Major metabolic hormone
CLINICAL INTERESTS - Controls rate of oxidation of glucose to supply
body heat and chemical energy.
Pituitary Dwarfism – Caused by hyposecretion of - Needed for tissue growth and development.
Growth hormones during Childhood. - Composed of 2 Iodine-containing hormones
Gigantism – Caused by hypersecretion of Growth Thyroxine (T4) – Secreted by Thyroid Follicle
hormones during Childhood. Triiodothyronine (T3) - Conversion of T4 at target
Acromegaly – Hypersecretion of Growth hormones tissues.
during adulthood.

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Adriel Vamos | BSN 1-F
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
LESSON 10 | ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
2. Calcitonin LOW CALCIUM LEVELS
- Decreases blood calcium levels by causing 1. Parathyroid glands release PTH into the
calcium deposit on the bone. bloodstream
- Antagonistic to parathyroid hormone 2. Release of PTH stimulate the release of
- Produced by parafollicular cells found between osteoclasts; responsible for degradation of
the follicles. bone matrix.

CLINICAL INTERESTS ADRENAL GLANDS (short term stress response)

- Produces 2 similar hormones (catecholamines)
Goiter Epinephrine (Adrenaline)
- Thyroid gland enlarges; lacks iodine. Norepinephrine (Noradrenaline)
- Salt is iodized to prevent goiters. - These hormones prepare the body deal with
Cretinism short term stress.
- Hypersecretion of thyroxine - Fight or flight
- Results in dwarfism during childhood - Increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and blood
Myxedema glucose levels on the blood stream.
- Hyperthyroidism in adults - Dilating small passageways in the lungs
- Results in dwarfism during childhood.
Grave’s Disease Short term stress response:
- Hyperthyroidism - Increased heart rate
- Results in increased metabolism, eat intolerance, - Increased blood pressure
and rapid heartbeat. - Liver converts glycogen to glucose; to the blood.
- Bilation of bronchioles
PARATHYROID GLAND - Increased metabolic rate.
- Tiny masses on the posterior of the thyroid
- Secrete parathyroid hormone. PANCREATIC ISLETS (PANCREAS)
- Most important regulator of calcium ions 1. Insulin (beta cells)
- Stimulates osteoclasts to remove calcium from - Released when blood glucose is high.
the bone. - Increases the rate of glucose uptake and
- Stimulates kidneys and intestines to absorb more metabolism (Beta cells)
calcium. - Effects of Hypoglycemic
Hyperglycemic hormone – Increases blood calcium
levels. 2. Glucagon (alpha cells)
- When blood glucose levels are low
- Stimulates the liver to release glucose.

HIGH CALCIUM LEVELS 3. Delta cell

1. Thyroid glands increase Calcitonin. - Secretes peptide hormone somatostatin.
2. Released calcitonin will stimulate deposition of - Inhibits the release of both glucagon and Insulin.
the calcium salt in the bone.
4. PP cell
- Calcitonin lowers calcium levels; by storing - Secretes Pancreatic polypeptide hormone.
calcium to the bone. - Inhibits gastrointestinal movement and
pancreatic secretion and gallbladder contraction.

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Adriel Vamos | BSN 1-F
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
LESSON 10 | ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
GONADS DUODENUM
- Produce sex cells. - Produces intestinal Gastrin; stimulates the
- Produce sex hormones. stomach to release gastric glands and motility.
- Stimulates the pancreas to secrete bicarbonate
1. Ovaries rich juice; Stimulates liver to release Bile.
- Produce 2 groups of steroid hormones.
KIDNEY
Estrogen - Produces Erythropoietin
- Stimulate the development of secondary female - During Hypoxia (low oxygen levels)
characteristics. - Produces active Vitamin 3
- Mature the female reproductive organ. - Active transport of dietary calcium across
intestinal cell.
Progesterone HEART
- Acts with the Estrogen; menstrual cycle - Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)
- Helps in implantation of an embryo on the uterus. - Caused by stretching of the Atria.
- Prepare breast (mammary glands for lactation) - Inhibits sodium ions reabsorption and renin
release on kidneys.
2. Testes
- Produces several androgens. ADIPOSE TISSUE
Testosterone - Produce leptins due to fatty acids.
- Most important androgen - Suppress appetite; increases energy expenditure
- Responsible for secondary male characteristics in the brain.
- Growth and maturation of male reproductive - Fat, muscles, and liver antagonize insulin’s action
organ; sperm production. on liver cells.

THYMUS
- Located in the upper thorax, posterior to the DIFFERENCE OF NERVOUS AND ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
sternum. NERVOUS SYSTEM
- Largest in infants and children - Uses Electrical signaling (neural impulses)
- Decreases in size throughout adulthood. - Glands (Hormones)
Thymosin: Hormone - Targets: Nerves, Muscles, Glands
- Mature types of White blood cells - Faster = Direct signal
- Important in developing the immune system. - Localized or Specific location
- Short term: stopped once the stimuli is removed.

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
HORMONES PRODUCED BY NON-ENDOCRINE ORGAN - Uses Chemical signaling (Hormones)
PLACENTA - Nerves (Neurotransmitters)
- Produces hormones that maintain pregnancy. - Targets: Any cell with a Hormone receptor
- Play a part in delivery. - Slower = Chemical signal
- Produces human chronic gonadotropin. - Widespread; Bloodstream
STOMACH - Long term: may contribute after stimulus is
- Produce gastrin. removed.
- Stimulates glands to release hydrochloric acid.

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Adriel Vamos | BSN 1-F