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Human Anatomy, First Edition
McKinley & O'Loughlin
  • Chapter 20 Lecture Outline:
  •  Endocrine System


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Endocrine System
  • Endocrine system and the nervous system often work together to bring about homeostasis.
  • Both use specific communication methods and affect specific target organs.
  • Their methods and effects differ.
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Endocrine Glands & Hormones
  • Exocrine glands
    • secretions released into ducts opening onto an epithelial surface
  • Endocrine glands
    • ductless organs that secrete their molecules directly into the bloodstream
  • All endocrine cells are located within highly vascularized areas to ensure that their products enter the bloodstream immediately.
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Overview of Hormones
  • Molecules that have an effect on specific organs.
  • Only cells with specific receptors for the hormone respond to that hormone.
  • Called target cells, and the organs that contain them are called target organs.
  • Organs, tissues, or cells lacking the specific receptor do not respond to its stimulating effects.
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Classification of Hormones
  • Peptide hormones
    • formed from chains of amino acids
    • most of our body’s hormones are peptide hormones
    • longer chains are called protein hormones
    • example is growth hormone
  • Steroid hormones
    • type of lipid derived from cholesterol
    • example is testosterone
  • Biogenic amines
    • small molecules produced by altering the structure of a specific amino acid
    • example is thyroid hormone

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Negative Feedback Loop
  • A stimulus starts a process, and eventually either the hormone that is secreted or a product of its effects causes the process to slow down or turn off.
  • Many hormonal systems work by negative feedback mechanisms.
    • one example is the regulation of the blood glucose level in the body
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Positive Feedback Loop
  • Accelerates the original process, either to ensure that the pathway continues to run or to speed up its activities.
  • Only a few positive feedback loops occur in the human endocrine system.
    • one example is the process of milk release from the mammary glands
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Hypothalamic Control of the Endocrine System
  • As the master control center of the endocrine system the hypothalamus oversees most endocrine activity.
    • special cells in the hypothalamus secrete hormones that influence the secretory activity of the anterior pituitary gland
      • called regulatory hormones because they are secreted into the blood to regulate secretion of most anterior pituitary hormones
      • releasing hormones (RH)
      • inhibiting hormones (IH)
  • Hypothalamus has indirect control over these endocrine organs.
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Hypothalamic Control of the Endocrine System
  • Hypothalamus produces two hormones that are transported to and stored in the posterior pituitary.
    • oxytocin
    • antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
  • Hypothalamus directly oversees the stimulation and hormone secretion of the adrenal medulla.
  • An endocrine structure that secretes its hormones in response to stimulation by the sympathetic nervous system.
  • Some endocrine cells are not under direct control of hypothalamus.
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Pituitary Gland (Hypophysis)
  • lies inferior to the hypothalamus.
  • Small, slightly oval gland housed within the hypophyseal fossa of the sphenoid bone.
  • Covered superiorly by the diaphragma sellae, which is one of the cranial dural septa that ensheathes the stalk of the infundibulum to restrict pituitary gland movement.
  • Connected to the hypothalamus by a thin stalk, the infundibulum.
  • Partitioned both structurally and functionally into an anterior pituitary and a posterior pituitary.
    • (called anterior lobes and posterior lobes)
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Control of Anterior Pituitary Gland Secretions
  • Anterior pituitary gland is controlled by regulatory hormones secreted by the hypothalamus.
  • Hormones reach the anterior pituitary via hypothalamo- hypophyseal portal system.
    • essentially a “shunt” that takes venous blood carrying regulatory hormones from the hypothalamus directly to the anterior pituitary before the blood returns to the heart
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Thyroid Gland
  • Located immediately inferior to the thyroid cartilage of the larynx and anterior to the trachea.
  • Distinctive “butterfly” shape due to its left and right lobes, which are connected at the anterior midline by a narrow isthmus.
  • Both lobes of the thyroid gland are highly vascularized, giving it an intense reddish coloration.
  • Regulation of thyroid hormone secretion depends upon a complex thyroid gland–pituitary gland negative feedback process.
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Parathyroid Glands
  • Small, brownish-red glands located on the posterior surface of the thyroid gland.
  • Usually four small nodules, but some individuals may have as few as two or as many as six.
  • Two different types of cells in the parathyroid gland:
    • chief cells and oxyphil cells
  • The chief cells are the source of parathyroid hormone (PTH).
    • stimulates osteoclasts to resorb bone and release calcium ions from bone matrix into the bloodstream
    • stimulates calcitriol hormone synthesis in the kidney
    • promotes calcium absorption in the small intestine
    • prevents the loss of calcium ions during the formation of urine
  • The function of oxyphil cells is not known.
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Adrenal Glands (suprarenal)
  • Paired, pyramid-shaped endocrine glands anchored on the superior surface of each kidney.
  • Retroperitoneal and embedded in fat and fascia to minimize their movement.
  • Outer adrenal cortex and an inner central core called the adrenal medulla.
    • secrete different types of hormones

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Adrenal Cortex
  • Distinctive yellow color due to stored lipids in its cell.
  • Synthesize more than 25 different steroid hormones, collectively called corticosteroids.
    • corticosteroid synthesis is stimulated by the ACTH produced by the anterior pituitary
    • corticosteroids are vital to our survival; trauma to or removal of the adrenal glands requires corticosteroid supplementation throughout life
  • Partitioned into the zona glomerulosa, the zona fasciculata, and the zona reticularis.
  • Different functional categories of steroid hormones are synthesized and secreted in the separate zones.
  • Regulates salt, sugar, and sex!
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Adrenal Medulla
  • Forms the inner core of each adrenal gland.
  • Pronounced red-brown color due to its extensive vascularization.
  • Primarily consists of clusters of large, spherical cells called chromaffin cells.
  • When innervated by the sympathetic division of the ANS, one population of cells secretes the hormone epinephrine (adrenaline).
  • The other population secretes the hormone norepinephrine (noradrenaline).
  • Hormones work with the sympathetic nervous system to prepare the body for an emergency or fight-or-flight situation.


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Pancreas
  • Elongated, spongy, nodular organ situated between the duodenum of the small intestine and the spleen and posterior to the stomach.
  • Both exocrine and endocrine activities, and thus it is considered a heterocrine (mixed) gland.
  • Mostly composed of cells called pancreatic acini.
    • produce an alkaline pancreatic juice that aids digestion
  • Scattered among the pancreatic acini are small clusters of endocrine cells called pancreatic islets (islets of Langerhans) composed of four types of cells:
    • two major types (called alpha cells and beta cells)
    • two minor types (called delta cells and F cells)
    • each type produces its own hormone
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Pancreas
  • Alpha cells secrete glucagon when blood glucose levels drop.
  • Beta cells secrete insulin when blood glucose levels are elevated.
  • Delta cells are stimulated by high levels of nutrients in the bloodstream.
    • synthesize somatostatin, also described as growth hormone-inhibiting hormone, or GHIH, which slows the release of insulin and glucagon  and slows the rate of nutrient entry into the bloodstream
  •  F cells are stimulated by protein digestion.
    • secrete pancreatic polypeptide to suppress and regulate somatostatin secretion from delta cells
  • Pancreatic hormones provide for orderly uptake and processing of nutrients.



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Pineal Gland
  • Pineal gland or pineal body, is a small, cone-shaped structure attached to the posterior region of the epithalamus.
  • Secretes melatonin.
    • helps regulate a circadian rhythm (24-hour body clock)
    • also appears to affect the synthesis of the hypothalamic regulatory hormone responsible for FSH and LH synthesis
    • role in sexual maturation is not well understood



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Thymus
  • A bilobed structure located within the mediastinum superior to the heart and immediately posterior to the sternum.
  • Size of the thymus varies between individuals.
    • it is always relatively large in infants and children
    • as with the pineal gland, the thymus diminishes in size and activity with age, especially after puberty
  • Functions principally in association with the lymphatic system to regulate and maintain body immunity.
  • Produces complementary hormones thymopoietin and thymosins.
    • hormones act by stimulating and promoting the differentiation, growth, and maturation of a category of lymphocytes called T-lymphocytes (thymus-derived lymphocytes)

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Endocrine Functions of the Kidneys, Heart, GI Tract, and Gonads
  • Organs of the urinary, cardiovascular, digestive, and reproductive systems contain their own endocrine cells, which secrete their own hormones.
    • help regulate electrolyte levels in the blood
    • red blood cell production, blood volume, and blood pressure
    • digestive system activities
    • sexual maturation and activity
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Aging and the Endocrine System
  • Secretory activity of endocrine glands wanes, especially secretion of growth hormone and sex hormones.
  • Reduction in GH levels leads to loss of weight and body mass.
  • Testosterone or estrogen levels decline