| What is the function of the Pituitary Gland? | The pituitary gland is called the "Master Gland" because it directs a multitude of endocrine functions in the body. It’s the size of a pea and is situated in a bony hollow, just behind the bridge of the nose. Attached to the base of the brain by a thin stalk.
It regulates hormone activity in other endocrine glands and organs. The hypothalamus is the control centre for the pituitary gland, by sending messages or signals to the pituitary in the form of hormones which travel via the bloodstream and nerves down the pituitary stalk. These signals, in turn, control the production and release of further hormones from the pituitary gland which signal other glands and organs in the body.
The pituitary gland has two parts. The anterior (or front) pituitary produces hormones that affect the breasts, adrenals, thyroid, ovaries and testes, as well as several other hormones.
The main glands affected by the posterior (or rear) pituitary are the kidneys.
Controls the following:- growth / blood pressure / stimulation of uterine contractions during childbirth / breast milk production / sex organ functions in women and men / thyroid gland function / metabolism / water regulation in the body / Temperature regulation / Pain Relief. |
| What is the function of the Hypothalamus Gland? | One of the major functions of the hypothalamus is to maintain homeostasis, i.e. to keep the human body in a stable, constant condition.
The hypothalamus responds to a variety of signals from the internal and external environment. Regulates metabolic processes and the Autonomic Nervous System. As different areas of the body send signals to the brain, they alert the hypothalamus to any unbalanced factors that need addressing. The hypothalamus then responds by releasing the right hormones into the bloodstream to balance the body. For example - if our body is too hot then it sweats......if out body is too cold then it will shiver.
Responds to stress and controls our daily bodily rhythms such as the night-time secretion of melatonin from the pineal gland and the changes in cortisol (the stress hormone) and body temperature over a 24-hour period. The hypothalamus collects and combines this information and puts changes in place to correct any imbalances.
Functions are regulate body temperature / thirst / appetite and weight control / sleep cycles / sex drive / childbirth / regulates heart rate and blood pressure / production of digestive juices / balancing bodily fluids / controlling emotions / fatigue / links the nervous system to the endocrine system / regulates the metabolic process and the autonomic nervous system / stimulates or inhibits the secretion of the pituitary gland. |
| What is the function of the Thyroid Gland | The thyroid gland is located in the front of the neck, right below the larynx and next to and around to the trachea. It’s a butterfly shape due to the gland consisting of two lobes that are connected by a piece of tissue called the isthmus.
Each lobe is filled with follicles that contain hormones the body needs to function. Cells producing thyroid hormones are very specialised in extracting and absorbing iodine from the blood and incorporate it into the thyroid hormones. These two cells are responsible for producing certain hormones that the thyroid gland then secretes into the bloodstream.
• The thyroid gland (thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) ) produces hormones that regulate the body's metabolic rate, (calorie burning) controlling heart, muscle and digestive function, brain development, help control body temperature, help regulate the production of protein and bone maintenance.
• The parafollicular cells (also called C cells) create calcitonin, which helps regulate calcium and phosphate levels in the blood Parathyroid responsible for regulation of calcium levels.
Follicular cells (also referred to as thyroid epithelial cells, which makes up a majority of the thyroid gland) create thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which are the major metabolism-regulating hormones, while the parafollicular cells (also called C cells) create calcitonin, which helps regulate calcium and phosphate levels in the blood.
The thyroid gland is controlled by the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, which are both located in the brain. The hypothalamus releases thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), which then tells the pituitary gland to release thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Together the hypothalamus and pituitary gland know when thyroid hormone levels are too high or too low, and by secreting an appropriate amount of TRH and TSH they can signal to the thyroid gland how much or how little hormones it needs to make.5
Its correct functioning depends on a good supply of iodine from the diet. Which we get a majority of through food or supplements. (seaweed, eggs, bake potatoe or yougurt) Both T3 and T4 need iodine in order to be produced by the thyroid gland. Once iodine makes its way to the thyroid it gets converted into T3 and T4.
The thyroid gland releases hormones into the bloodstream to control your metabolism, which is the primary way your body uses energy. In addition to metabolism, the hormones it releases also help with processes like bone growth, brain development, heart rate, digestion, muscle functioning, body temperature, menstrual cycles, and more. The thyroid can also produce more hormones when needed, such as to help increase body temperature or when a woman is pregnant.
Functions are controlling metabolism / bone growth / brain development / regulates heart rate and temperature / muscle function / digestion / menstrual cycles. |
| What is the function of the Parathyroid Gland? | The parathyroid glands are roughly the size of a grain of rice or pea. They are located just behind the butterfly-shaped thyroid gland. Most people have four parathyroid glands, with two parathyroid glands lying behind each 'wing' of the thyroid gland. Parathyroid is attached to the thyroid and shares a similar name, but the thyroid and parathyroid are two different organs providing completely separate functions.
Parathyroid glands produce parathyroid hormone, which plays a key role in the regulation of calcium levels in the blood. The main target organs where parathyroid hormone exerts its effects are the bones and the kidneys. Controls how much calcium is in the bones, and therefore, how strong and dense the bones are.
When calcium levels are low, parathyroid hormone is released by the parathyroid glands into the blood and causes the bones to release calcium and increase levels in the bloodstream. It also causes the kidneys to stop calcium being lost in urine as well as stimulating the kidneys to increase vitamin D metabolism
If someone does not take in enough calcium through their diet or does not have enough vitamin D, circulating calcium levels fall and the parathyroid glands produce more parathyroid hormone. This brings calcium levels in the bloodstream back up to normal.
Calcium is the element that allows the normal conduction of electrical currents along nerves--its how our nervous system works and how one nerve 'talks' to the next. Our entire brain works by fluxes of calcium into and out of the nerve cells. Calcium is also the primary element which causes muscles to contract. This is important to ensure the nervous system and the body’s muscles can work properly, and also that bones remain strong.
Function is to regulate the calcium levels in our body. |
| What is the function of the Adrenal Gland? | Basically controls sex drive, cortisol and stress hormone.
They are small, triangular-shaped glands located on top of both kidneys.
Two adrenal glands, one on top of each kidney.
The outer part of each gland is the adrenal cortex produces hormones that controls sex (androgens, estrogens), salt balance in the blood (aldosterone), and sugar balance (cortisol). Cortisol can help control blood sugar levels, regulate metabolism, help reduce inflammation, and assist with memory formulation. It has a controlling effect on salt and water balance and helps control blood pressure.
The inner part is the adrenal medulla produces hormones involved in the fight-or-flight response (catecholamines, or adrenaline type hormones such as epinephrine and norepinephrine).
Functions are to regulate your metabolism and immune system and blood pressure / response to stress / regulate mineral concentrations (particularly salt) / stimulates sexual development.
• glucocorticoids including cortisol and cortisone which stimulate metabolism, development and inflammation
• mineralocorticoids including aldosterone which regulate mineral concentrations (particularly salt) in the body
• gonadocorticoids which stimulate sexual development
• adrenalin and noradrenalin which stimulate the body systems needed for the physical action, eg muscular and respiratory, and shutting down those not needed, eg digestive and urinary |
| What is the function of the Pancreas Gland? | The pancreas is a large gland that lies alongside the stomach and the small bowel. It is about six inches (approximately 15 cm) long and is divided into the head, body and tail.
The pancreas has two main functions.
One is to produce digestive enzymes, that pass into the small intestine to aid the chemical digestion of fat, carbohydrates and protein. Enzymes, or digestive juices, are secreted by the pancreas into the small intestine. There, it continues breaking down food that has left the stomach. It plays an essential role in converting the food we eat into fuel for the body's cells. (Exocrine Function)
The second is to produce hormones such as insulin, which secretes it into the bloodstream and regulates the body’s glucose or sugar level. (Endocrine Function)
Functions are - Exocrine Function which produces digestive enzymes - plays an essential role in converting the food we eat into fuel for the body's cells / Endocrine Function that produces insulin to reduce blood sugar levels and glucagon hormones to increase blood sugar. |
| What is the function of the Thymus Gland? | The thymus gland, located behind your sternum and between your lungs, is only active until puberty. Before birth and throughout childhood, the thymus is instrumental in the production and maturation of T- lymphocytes or T cells. The thymus plays a vital role in the lymphatic system (your body’s defense network) and endocrine system. Thymosin is the hormone of the thymus, and it stimulates the development of disease-fighting T cells, a specific type of white blood cell that protects the body from certain threats, including viruses and infections.
Once you reach puberty, the thymus starts to slowly shrink and become replaced by fat.
Function is to contribute to immune functions of the body by producing thymosins. These stimulate production of T-lymphocytes to protect the body. |
| What other 2 systems are linked to the endocrine system? | Cardiovascular - The cardiovascular system is the means whereby hormones are distributed throughout the body.
Nervous - The nervous system senses changes in either the internal or external environment. If the change requires a response, the nervous system interacts, via the hypothalamus, with the endocrine system, which produces the appropriate hormonal reaction. |
