Chapter 7
Endocrine system
The names
The Human Endocrine System of the hormones
are printed in
The endocrine system is responsible for chemical coordination bold
italics.
and regulates activities that take place inside the body. The
endocrine system consists of glands that produce different
hormones, which are the body’s chemical messengers. The figure
below shows the glands of the endocrine system, the hormones they
produce and the function of these hormones in the body.
Hypothalamus:
ADH Pituitary gland (hypophysis):
(antidiuretic GH (growth hormone)
hormone)
• Controls growth
• Target organ:
TSH (thyroid stimulating
Kidney
hormone)
• Controls the • Stimulates thyroid gland to
concentration of secrete
water in the blood thyroxin
thyroid gland: Reproductive hormones:
Thyroxin FSH, LH and prolactin
• Controls basic • FSH – stimulates the
metabolic rate development of the follicle
in the ovaries
Adrenal • LH – stimulates ovulation,
gland: and stimulates
Adrenalin development of the
corpus luteum
Increases:
• heartbeat • Prolactin – stimulates the
mammary glands to secrete
• blood pressure
milk
• conversion from
glycogen to Pancreas: islets of Langerhans
glucose
• blood supply to Glucagon
the cardiac and • Stimulates conversion of
skeletal muscles glycogen to glucose
• skeletal muscle (increases blood glucose
tone levels)
• rate and Insuli
depth of Ovary (only n
breathing females):
• Stimulates conversion of
• diameter of pupils glucose to glycogen
Decreases: (reduces the blood glucose
• blood flow to the levels)
digestive system
and skin testes (only males):
Reproductive hormone:
Testostero
ne
Aldosterone • Regulates salt concentration in Reproductive hormones:
• Target organ: the blood Oestrogen and progesterone
Kidney
• Oestrogen – • Stimulates the maturation of
stimulates puberty in sperm cells
females, • Stimulates puberty in males
promotes
thickening of the
endometrium
• Progesterone –
promotes
thickening of the
endometrium,
maintains
pregnancy
