endocrine system

• main functions of endocrine system

  growth and development, defence against stress, reproduction, maintenance of electrolyte balance, regulation of metablism
• hormones


  chemical substances that are secreted by endocrine cells to regulate the metabolic activity of other cells in the body
• major organs of the endocrine system

  pituitary gland, thyroid gland, adrenal gland, thymus, pineal gland, pancreas, gonads (ovaries and testes), and hypothalamus
• hypothalamus

  located in your brain, uses information from the nervous system to tell other glands when to produce hormones, controls your hunger, mood, thirst, etc.
• pituitary gland


  located at the base of the brain, makes hormones that control several glands such as - adrenal, thyroid, ovaries, and testicles. Known as the master gland - body growth and metabolism
• Pineal gland


  balances the rhythm of the body and secretes melatonin. primary function is letting in light and darkness and regulating sleep/wake cycles
• thyroid gland


  responsible for metabolism, heart rate, body temperature
• thymus gland


  trains white blood cells that protect your immune system
• adrenal gland

  two - one on top of each kidney, they control blood pressure, body development and stress response
• kidney

  'exocrine gland' - urine production, regulate body fluid, excrete waste
• pancreas

  largest gland, exocrine function - produces enzymes that help with digestion. endocrine function - control amount of sugar in blood stream
• ovaries


  release sex hormones - estrogen, progesterone, testosterone
• testes


  make sperm and release the hormone testosterone - which affects sperm production and muscle strength
• disorders of the endocrine system

  diabetes, hypoglycemia, hyperthyroidism