Endocrine System Flashcards
Describe the basic components of the endocrine system?
The main components of the endocrine system are the purely endocrine organs, called glands, and their secretions, called hormones.
Pituitary gland
Pineal gland
Thyroid gland
Parathyroid glands
Adrenal glands
Describe the function of the endocrine system?
Reproduction
Growth and development
Maintaining water, electroltye and nutrient balance
Metabolism and energy
Mobilisation of body defenses
Label the histology image and identify the endocrine glands of the endocrine system?
Label the parts of the pituitary gland?
Describe the gross anatomy, location and function of the pituitary gland (aka hypophysis)?
Gross anatomy:
Small, oval-shaped gland.
connected to the hypothalamus by the infundibulum.
Location:
- Inferior to the hypothalamus.
- Sits in the hypophyseal fossa in the sphenoid bone.
Function:
Acts as the body’s “master gland”, as it tells the other glands of the body what to do.
Explain the function of the 2 glands of the pituitary glands?
Posterior pituitary gland:
- Does not produce its own hormones.
- Two hormones (antidiuretic hormone, oxytocin) produced by the hypothalamus travel down the infundibulum to be released by the posterior pituitary gland.
Anterior pituitary gland:
- Produces and releases most pituitary hormones.
Label the parts of the pineal gland?
Describe the gross anatomy, location and function of the pineal gland?
Gross anatomy:
Small, cone-shaped gland.
Location:
Attached to the posterior region of the epithalamus.
Function:
Produces melatonin, which regulates circadian rhythm (i.e. the 24-hour body clock).
Label the parts of the thyroid gland?
Describe the gross anatomy, location and function of the thyroid gland?
Gross anatomy:
- Butterfly-shaped gland.
- Composed of two lobes (right and left) that are connected by a narrow band called the isthmus.
Location:
Located in the neck, inferior to the thyroid cartilage (cartilage of the larynx) and anterior to the trachea.
Function:
- Produces the thyroid hormone (T3 and T4 forms) with increases the metabolic processes.
- Produces the calcitonin hormone which decreases blood calcium levels.
Label the parts of the parathyroid gland?
Describe the gross anatomy, location and function of the parathyroid glands?
Gross anatomy:
Small nodules.
Location:
Located on the posterior surface of the thyroid gland.
Function:
Produces the parathyroid hormone (PTH), which increases blood calcium levels.
Label the parts of the adrenal gland (aka suprarenal glands)?
Describe the gross anatomy and location of the adrenal glands?
Gross anatomy:
- Paired, pyramidal-shaped glands.
- Contains an outer adrenal cortex region and an inner adrenal medulla.
Location:
Located on the superior aspect of the kidneys.
Describe the function of the adrenal cortex in the adrenal glands?
Produces corticosteroids hormones which are in charge of:
1. Regulating [electrolytes] in the blood.
2. Stimulating the metabolism of lipids and proteins in response to stress.
3. Produces small amounts of sex hormones (most sex hormones come from the gonads).
Label both the macroscopic image of the pancreas and the microscopic histology image?
Name the part of the pancreas that participates in the endocrine system and explain its function?
Pancreatic islet / Islets / Langerhands:
*** Small clusters of endocrine cells scattered amongst the clusters of pancreatic acini.
Function:
Produces 2 hormones to regulate blood-glucose levels.
1. Insulin = decreases blood glucose levels.
2. Glucagon = increases blood glucose levels.
