Endocrinology

 

Introduction to Endocrinology

Endocrinology is a science deal with the functions and structure of endocrine glands and the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the endocrine system.

The endocrine system is compose of glands and endocrine tissue inside other organs like the pancreas which diffuse hormones (chemical messenger) all over the body to regulate body's growth, metabolism, sexual development, maturation, reproduction and proper balance of chemicals & other substances in the body and this normal state is known as Homeostasis. Since they are ductless, Hormones distributed through the circulation, which elicits specific effects by binding to a receptor on or inside target cells, which trigger a physiological process such as cell division. Each target cell has a specific receptor that could only receive the hormones and do what is being ordered for normal functioning of the other body organ

The production of many hormones is control by hypothalamus and pituitary gland. The hypothalamus is the control center of the endocrine system, and also involved in the control of our body temperature, emotion, and sexual activity. Hypothalamus regulates pituitary gland by stimulating or inhibiting the production of hormone. Pituitary gland is the main hormone producing gland and known as master gland. Together, they control many other endocrine functions. In addition to hypothalamus and pituitary gland, other endocrine gland were stated below

http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/esp/2001_saladin/folder_structure/in/m5/s1/index.htm

Endocrine glands’ function with their corresponding hormones

Endocrine Gland	Hormone secreted & their Function
Hypothalamu	growth hormone-releasing hormone  thyrotropin-releasing hormone(TRH)  corticoptropin-releasing hormone (CRH) Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
Pituitary Gland	Anterior pituitary: Prolactin(PRL)-stimulates milk production Growth Hormone(GH)-stimulates growth Adrenocorticotropin(ACTH)-stimulates the production of cortisol by adrenal cortex  Thyroid-stimulating Hormone(TSH)-stimulates the production of hormone by thyroid gland  Gonadotopin- (Luteinizing hormone &Follicle-stimulating hormone),stimulate the gonads Posterior Pituitary: Oxytocin-stimulates uterine contraction Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)-water balance
Pineal Gland	Melatonin-circadian rhythm
Parathyroid	Parathyroid hormone-elevate blood calcium
Thyroid	Thyroxin(T4) & Triiodothyronine(T3)-metabolism Calcitonin- lowers blood Calcium
Thymus	Thymosins- stimulates the development of T cells & other immune cells
Adrenal Gland	Adrenal cortex: Glucocorticoids-anti-inflammatory Adrenal medulla: Epinephrine- stimulate the fight- or- flight response of the sympathetic nervous system
Pancreas	Insulin-lowers blood sugar Glucagon-elevate blood sugar
Testes	Testosterone-contribute to the development and function of the male reproductive organs and sex characteristics.
Ovaries	Estrogen and Progesterone- responsible for developing and maintaining female sexual traits

References:

•    Tortora, G. J., & Derrickson, B.H.,”Principles of Anatomy and Physiology” 12 Ed: 642-683
•    http://biology.clc.uc.edu/courses/bio105/endocrin.htm