Endocrine Glands

• Hypothalamus 

  • Acts like a bridge between the nervous system and the endocrine system 
  • Releases hormones that stimulate or inhibit the secretion of pituitary hormones (orders the pituitary gland to start or stop producing hormones)
  • Controls body temperature, hunger, thirst, fatigue, sleep. Circadian rhythms, mood and sexual development 
  • It can receive and send out commands through the nervous system, and also produce hormones that interact with the endocrine system
• Pituitary gland 

  • Known as the ‘master gland’ 
  • It regulates other endocrine glands by producing hormones which ‘tell’ other glands to releases their own hormones

  Key hormones 

  • Growth hormone (GH) - stimulates growth and cell reproduction 
  • Thyroid - stimulating hormone (TSH) - stimulates the thyroid gland
  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) - stimulates the adrenal cortex 
  • Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) - water and blood pressure regulation 
• Thyroid gland 

  • Secretes hormones to regulate many metabolic processes, including growth and energy expenditure

  Key hormones

  • Thyroxine (T4) - increases metabolic rate, heart rate and digestion 
  • Triiodothyronine (T3) - increases energy production and protein synthesis
• Parathyroid gland 

  • Responsible for maintaining calcium levels in your body, such as in the bones and in the blood

  Key hormones 

  • Parathyroid hormone (PTH) - increases blood calcium levels 
• Adrenal gland

  Produces hormones involved in stress response
• Adrenal gland maintains the balance of salt and water in the body which is important for maintaining your blood pressure
• Key hormones produced by the adrenal gland

  • Cortisol
  • Aldosterone
  • Adrenaline (Epinephrine)
  • Noradrenaline (Norepinephrine)
• Cortisol


  • Regulates metabolism
  • Reduces inflammation
  • Controls stress response
• Cortisol Role


  • Maintains blood glucose levels
  • Aids in energy production
• Aldosterone


  • Regulates blood pressure by maintaining salt and water balance
• Aldosterone Role


  • Increases reabsorption of sodium
  • Excretion of potassium in the kidneys
• Adrenaline (Epinephrine)

  • Increases heart rate
  • Expands airways
  • Boosts energy supplies
• Adrenaline Role

  • Prepares the body for ‘fight or flight’ response
• Noradrenaline (Norepinephrine)


  • Works with adrenaline to respond to stress
• Noradrenaline Role


  • Increases blood pressure by constricting blood vessels
• Pancreas


  Is both an endocrine and exocrine gland
• Endocrine part of the pancreas

  • Produces hormones
  • Regulates blood sugar levels
• Exocrine part of the pancreas


  • Produces digestive enzymes
  • Breaks down food
• Key hormones produced by the pancreas

  • Insulin
  • Glucagon
  • Somatostatin
• Insulin


  Lowers blood glucose levels
• Insulin role


  Facilitates glucose uptake by cells for energy
• Glucagon


  Raises blood glucose levels
• Glucagon role


  Stimulates the liver to release stored glucose
• Somatostatin


  Regulates insulin and glucagon secretion
• Somatostatin role

  Inhibits hormone secretion for balance