The endocrine system

• Nervous system


  Not the only information signal system in the body
• Endocrine system


  Uses chemical messengers called hormones released into the bloodstream by glands, with profound and long-lasting effects on the body and behavior
• Major endocrine glands


  • Pituitary
  • Hypothalamus
  • Pineal
  • Thyroid
  • Thymus
  • Pancreas
  • Adrenal
  • Testes/Ovaries
• Pituitary gland


  Often called the "master gland", its hormonal secretions influence the release of hormones by other glands
• ACTH


  Adrenocorticotropic hormone, released as part of the fight-or-flight response, resulting in the release of cortisol from the adrenal glands
• Hypothalamus


  Works with the pituitary gland, telling the nervous system to the rest of the endocrine system, maintains homeostasis
• CRH


  Corticotropin-releasing hormone, detected by the pituitary gland in the fight-or-flight response
• Pineal gland


  Modulates sleep patterns by releasing melatonin
• Thyroid gland


  Influences metabolic rate by releasing thyroid hormones
• Thymus gland


  Active until puberty, stimulates development of T-cells for the immune system
• Pancreas


  Regulates blood sugar levels by releasing insulin and glucagon
• Adrenal glands


  Release cortisol and adrenaline in the fight-or-flight response
• Testes/Ovaries


  Reproductive glands, produce testosterone and estrogen respectively
• The endocrine system is ancient, with evidence of Chinese healers extracting sex hormones from urine over 2,000 years ago
• Diabetes has been diagnosed for over 2,000 years, popularized by the Greek physician Hippocrates