Endocrine Flashcards
(203 cards)
Endocrine system basics
Series of messenger systems with hormonal feedback loops
Hormones regulate distant target organs
Hormones
Regulate metabolism, growth, development, tissue function, sexual function, reproduction, sleep and mood, etc…
Control center of the endocrine system
Hypothalamus
Endocrine
Chemical signals secreted into the blood and transported to target tissues
Exocrine
Secrete substances into ductal system leading to an epithelial surface (internal or external)
Sweat glands, salivary glands, etc…
Paracrine
Cell to cell communication via chemical signals (short distance!)
Within a neuron, AP from cell body to axon terminal, triggers NT release, downstream cell is then influenced by paracrine NT and undergoes change/continues AP
Autocrine
Chemical signals which act upon the cell which created them (super super short)
Cell recognizing a change in its environment and telling itself to change/adapt to the new environment
Endocrine vs Paracrine vs Autocrine vs Exocrine
Hypothalamus
Located in the diencephalon and plays a crucial role in homeostasis and hormone production/release
Regulates body temp
Maintain physiological cycles
Controlling appetite
Managing sexual behavior
Regulating emotional responses
Regulates metabolism
How does the hypothalamus regulate the body
Feedback loops
Can increase or decrease production of releasing or inhibiting hormones based on circulating levels or changes in physiologic need
Pituitary gland
Base of the brain under the hypothalamus
Can produce and release hormones as indicated by the hypothalamus (stimulated with inhibiting or releasing hormones)
Connection of hypothalamus to pituitary gland
Anterior: Vascular portal system
Posterior: Neurons
Parts of the pituitary
Anterior and posterior
Anterior pituitary
Produces and releases many of the hormones within the endocrine system
How the anterior pituitary is connected to the hypothalamus
Hypothalamo-hypophseal portal system
Hormones synthesized by the anterior pituitary
Growth hormone (GH)
Thyroid- stimulating hormone (TSH)
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Prolactin (PRL)
Chart of anterior pituitary hormones from hypothalamus to effects
Posterior pituitary
Doesn’t make hormones, able to store hormones made by the hypothalamus in vesicles and then releases when needed, can releases a large amount very quickly, don’t need to synthesize the hormone
Advantage of posterior pituitary
When secreting ADH and oxytocin, usually you want them very quickly (bleeding out or labor) and want a lot. Since they are already made and just stored, when stimulated a lot can be released at once into the body
Hormones secreted by the posterior pituitary
Antidiuretic hormone
Oxytocin
Posterior pituitary chart hypothalamus to effects
How posterior pituitary is connected to the hypothalamus
Infundibulum/pituitary stalk which is comprised of axons
Pineal gland
Releases melatonin which controls circadian rhythms
Thyroid overview
Releases T3/T4 and regulates metabolism
Also releases calcitonin which acts to lower calcium levels in the blood