Endocrine System Anatomy and Physiology

Embark on a journey through the endocrine system, where silent glands dictate
dynamic life processes. Nursing students, demystify the hormonal symphony that
orchestrates our body’s many dances.

Functions of the Endocrine System

Despite the huge variety of hormones, there are really only two mechanisms by
which hormones trigger changes in cells.

1. Water equilibrium. The endocrine system controls water equilibrium by

regulating the solute concentration of the blood.
2. Growth, metabolism, and tissue maturation. The endocrine system
controls the growth of many tissues, like the bone and muscle, and the
degree of metabolism of various tissues, which aids in the maintenance of
the normal body temperature and normal mental functions. Maturation of
tissues, which appears in the development of adult features and adult
behavior, are also determined by the endocrine system.
3. Heart rate and blood pressure management. The endocrine system
assists in managing the heart rate and blood pressure and aids in
preparing the body for physical motion.
 4. Immune system control. The endocrine system helps regulate the
production and functions of immune cells.
5. Reproductive function controls. The endocrine system regulates the
development and the functions of the reproductive systems in males and
females.
6. Uterine contractions and milk release. The endocrine system controls
uterine contractions throughout the delivery of the newborn and
stimulates milk release from the breasts in lactating females.
7. Ion management. The endocrine system regulates Na+, K+, and
Ca2+ concentrations in the blood.
8. Blood glucose regulator. The endocrine system controls blood
glucose levels and other nutrient levels in the blood.
9. Direct gene activation. Being lipid-soluble molecules, the steroid
hormones can diffuse through plasma membranes of their target cells;
once inside, the steroid hormone enters the nucleus and binds to a specific
receptor protein there; then, the hormone-receptor complex binds to
specific sites on the cell’s DNA, activating certain genes to transcribe
messenger RNA; the mRNA then is translated in the cytoplasm, resulting in
the synthesis of new proteins.
10.Second messenger system. Water-soluble, nonsteroidal hormones-
protein, and peptide hormones- are unable to enter the target cells, so
instead, they bind to receptors situated on the target cell’s plasma
membrane and utilize a second messenger system.
Anatomy of the Endocrine System
Compared to other organs of the body, the organs of the endocrine system are
small and unimpressive, however, functionally the endocrine organs are very
impressive, and when their role in maintaining body homeostasis is considered,
they are true giants.
Hypothalamus

The major endocrine organs of the body include the pituitary, thyroid,
parathyroid, adrenal, pineal, and thymus glands, the pancreas, and the gonads.

 Hypothalamus. The hypothalamus, which is part of the nervous system, is

also considered a major endocrine organ because it produces several
hormones. It is an important autonomic nervous system and endocrine
control center of the brain located inferior to the thalamus.
 Mixed functions. Although the function of some hormone-producing
glands is purely endocrine, the function of others (pancreas and gonads) is
mixed- both endocrine and exocrine.
Pituitary Gland
The pituitary gland is approximately the size of a pea.

 Location. The pituitary gland hangs by a stalk from the inferior surface of
the hypothalamus of the brain, where it is snugly surrounded by the “Turk’s
saddle” of the sphenoid bone.
 Lobes. It has two functional lobes- the anterior pituitary (glandular tissue)
and the posterior pituitary (nervous tissue).

Hormones of the Anterior Pituitary

There are several hormones of the anterior pituitary hormones that affect many
body organs.
  Growth hormone (GH). Growth hormone is a general metabolic hormone,
however, its major effects are directed to the growth of skeletal muscles
and long bones of the body; it is a protein-sparing and anabolic hormone
that causes amino acids to be built into proteins and stimulates most
target cells to grow in size and divide.
 Prolactin (PRL). Prolactin is a protein hormone structurally similar to
growth hormone; its only known target in humans is the breast because,
after childbirth, it stimulates and maintains milk production by the
mother’s breast.
 Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). ACTH regulates the endocrine
activity of the cortex portion of the adrenal gland.
 Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH, also called thyrotropin
hormone influences the growth and activity of the thyroid gland.
 Gonadotropic hormones. The gonadotropic hormones regulate the
hormonal activity of gonads (ovaries and testes).
 Follicles-stimulating hormone (FSH). FSH stimulates follicle development
in the ovaries; as the follicles mature, they produce estrogen and eggs that
are readied for ovulation; in men, FSH stimulates sperm development by
the testes.
 Luteinizing hormone (LH). LH triggers the ovulation of an egg from the
ovary and causes the ruptured follicle to produce progesterone and some
estrogen; in men, LH stimulates testosterone production by the interstitial
cells of the testes.
Hormones of the Posterior Pituitary

The posterior pituitary is not an endocrine gland in the strict sense because it
does not make the peptide hormones it releases, but it simply acts as a storage
area for hormones made by hypothalamic neurons.

 Oxytocin. Oxytocin is released in significant amounts only during

childbirth and in nursing women; it stimulates powerful contractions of the
uterine muscle during labor, during sexual relations, and
during breastfeeding and also causes milk ejection (let-down reflex) in a
nursing woman.
 Antidiuretic hormone (ADH). ADH causes the kidneys to reabsorb more
water from the forming of urine; as a result, urine volume decreases and
blood volume increases; in larger amounts, ADH also increases blood
 pressure by causing constriction of the arterioles, so it is sometimes
referred to as vasopressin.
Thyroid Gland

The thyroid gland is a hormone-producing gland that is familiar to most people

primarily because many obese individuals blame their overweight condition on
their “glands” (thyroid).
 Location. The thyroid gland is located at the base of the throat, just
inferior to the Adam’s apple, where it is easily palpated during a physical
examination.
 Lobes. It is a fairly large gland consisting of two lobes joined by a central
mass, or isthmus.
  Composition. Internally, the thyroid gland is composed of hollow
structures called follicles, which store a sticky colloidal material.
 Types of thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormone often referred to as the
body’s major metabolic hormone, is actually two active, iodine-containing
hormones, thyroxine or T4, and triiodothyronine or T3.
 Thyroxine. Thyroxine is the major hormone secreted by the thyroid
follicles.
 Triiodothyronine. Most triiodothyronine is formed at the target tissues by
conversion of the thyroxine to triiodothyronine.
 Function. Thyroid hormone controls the rate at which glucose is “burned”
oxidized, and converted to body heat and chemical energy; it is also
important for normal tissue growth and development.
 Calcitonin. Calcitonin decreases blood calcium levels by causing calcium to
be deposited in the bones; calcitonin is made by the so-
called parafollicular cells found in the connective tissues between the
follicles.
Parathyroid Glands

The parathyroid glands are mostly tiny masses of glandular tissue.

 Location. The parathyroid glands are located on the posterior surface of

the thyroid gland.
 Parathormone. The parathyroids secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH) or
parathormone, which is the most important regulator of calcium ion
homeostasis of the blood; PTH is a hypercalcemic hormone (that is, it acts
to increase blood levels of calcium), whereas calcitonin is a hypocalcemic
hormone.; PTH also stimulates the kidneys and intestines to absorb more
calcium.
Adrenal Glands

Although the adrenal gland looks like a single organ, it is structurally and
functionally two endocrine organs in one.
Hormones of the Adrenal Cortex

The adrenal cortex produces three major groups of steroid hormones, which are
collectively called corticosteroids– mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, and sex
hormones.

 Mineralocorticoids. The mineralocorticoids, primarily aldosterone, are

produced by the outermost adrenal cortex cell layer; mineralocorticoids are
important in regulating the mineral (or salt) content of the blood,
particularly the concentrations of sodium and potassium ions and they also
help in regulating the water and electrolyte balance in the body.
 Renin. Renin, am enzyme produced by the kidneys when the blood
pressure drops, also cause the release of aldosterone by triggering a series
of reactions that form angiotensin II, a potent stimulator of aldosterone
release.
 Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). ANP prevents aldosterone release, its
goal being to reduce blood volume and blood pressure.
  Glucocorticoids. The middle cortical layer mainly produces
glucocorticoids, which include cortisone and cortisol; glucocorticoids
promote normal cell metabolism and help the body to resist long-term
stressors, primarily by increasing blood glucose levels, thus it is said to be
a hyperglycemic hormone; it also reduce pain and inflammation by
inhibiting some pain-causing molecules called prostaglandins.
 Sex hormones. Both male and female sex hormones are produced by the
adrenal cortex throughout life in relatively small amounts; although the
bulk of sex hormones produced by the innermost cortex layer
are androgens (male sex hormones), some estrogens (female sex
hormones), are also formed.
Hormones of the Adrenal Medulla

The adrenal medulla, like the posterior pituitary, develops from a knot of nervous
tissue.

 Catecholamines. When the medulla is stimulated by sympathetic nervous

system neurons, its cells release two similar hormones, epinephrine, also
called adrenaline, and norepinephrine (noradrenaline), into the
bloodstream; collectively, these hormones are referred to as
catecholamines.
 Function. Basically, the Catecholamines increase heart rate, blood
pressure, and blood glucose levels and dilate the small passageways of
the lungs; the catecholamines of the adrenal medulla prepare the body to
cope with a brief or short-term stressful situation and cause the so-
called alarm stage of the stress response.
Pancreatic Islets

The pancreas, located close to the stomach in the abdominal cavity, is a mixed
gland.
 Islets of Langerhans.The islets of Langerhans also called pancreatic islets,
are little masses of hormone-producing tissue that are scattered among
the enzyme-producing acinar tissue of the pancreas.
 Hormones. Two important hormones produced by the islet cells
are insulin and glucagon.
  Islet cells. Islet cells act as fuel sensors, secreting insulin, and glucagon
appropriately during fed and fasting states.
 Beta cells. High levels of glucose in the blood stimulate the release of
insulin from the beta cells of the islets.
 Alpha cells. Glucagon’s release by the alpha cells of the islets is stimulated
by low blood glucose levels.
 Insulin. Insulin acts on just about all the body cells and increases their
ability to transport glucose across their plasma membranes; because
insulin sweeps glucose out of the blood, its effect is said to
be hypoglycemic.
 Glucagon. Glucagon acts as an antagonist of insulin; that is, it helps to
regulate blood glucose levels but in a way opposite that of insulin; its
action is basically hyperglycemic and its primary target organ is the liver,
which it stimulates to break down stored glycogen into glucose and release
the glucose into the blood.
Pineal Gland

The pineal gland, also called the pineal body, is a small cone-shaped gland.

Location. The pineal gland hangs from the roof of the third ventricle of the
brain.
 Melatonin. Melatonin is the only hormone that appears to be secreted in
substantial amounts by the pineal gland; the levels of melatonin rise and
fall during the course of the day and night; peak levels occur at night and
make us drowsy as melatonin is believed to be the “sleep trigger” that
plays an important role in establishing the body’s day-night cycle.
Thymus Gland

The thymus gland is large in infants and children and decreases in size
throughout adulthood.

 Location. The thymus gland is located in the upper thorax, posterior to the
sternum.
 Thymosin. The thymus produces a hormone called thymosin and others
that appear to be essential for normal development of a special group of
white blood cells (T-lymphocytes, or T cells) and the immune response.
Gonads
Main Article: Female Reproductive System and Male Reproductive System

The female and male gonads produce sex hormones that are identical to those
produced by adrenal cortex cells; the major difference are the source and relative
amount produced.

Hormones of the Ovaries

The female gonads or ovaries are a pair of almond-sized organs.

 Location. The female gonads are located in the pelvic cavity.

 Steroid hormones. Besides producing female sex cells, ovaries produce
two groups of steroid hormones, estrogen, and progesterone.
 Estrogen. Alone, the estrogens are responsible for the development of sex
characteristics in women at puberty; acting with progesterone, estrogens
promote breast development and cyclic changes in the uterine lining
(menstrual cycle).
 Progesterone. Progesterone acts with estrogen to bring about the
menstrual cycle; during pregnancy, it quiets the muscles of the uterus so
that an implanted embryo will not be aborted and helps prepare breast
tissue for lactation.
Hormones of the Testes

The testes of the male are paired oval organs in a sac.

 Location. The testes are suspended in a sac, the scrotum, outside the
pelvic cavity.
 Male sex hormones. In addition to male sex cells, or sperm, the testes also
produce male sex hormones, or androgens, of which testosterone is the
most important.
 Testosterone. At puberty, testosterone promotes the growth and
maturation of the reproductive system organs to prepare the young man
for reproduction; it also causes the male’s secondary sex characteristics to
appear and stimulates male sex drive; Testosterone is also necessary for the
continuous production of sperm.
Other Hormone-Producing Tissues and Organs
Besides the major endocrine organs, pockets of hormone-producing cells are
found in fatty tissue and in the walls of the small intestine, stomach, kidneys, and
heart- organs whose chief functions have little to do with hormone production.

Placenta

The placenta is a remarkable organ formed temporarily in the uterus of pregnant

women.

 Function. In addition to its roles as the respiratory, excretory,

and nutrition delivery systems for the fetus, it also produces several
proteins and steroid hormones that help to maintain the pregnancy and
pave the way for delivery of the baby.
 Human chorionic gonadotropin. During very early pregnancy, a hormone
called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is produced by the developing
embryo and then by the fetal part of the placenta; hCG stimulates the
ovaries to continue producing estrogen and progesterone so that the
lining of the uterus is not sloughed off in the menses.
 Human placental lactogen (hPL). hPL works cooperatively with estrogen
and progesterone in preparing the breasts for lactation.
 Relaxin. Relaxin, another placental hormone, causes the mother’s pelvic
ligaments and the pubic symphysis to relax and become more flexible,
which eases birth passage.
Physiology of the Endocrine System
Although hormones have widespread effects, the major processes they control
are reproduction, growth, and development; mobilizing the body’s defenses
against stressors; maintaining electrolyte, water, and nutrient balance of the
blood; and regulating cellular metabolism and energy balance.

The Chemistry of Hormones

The key to the incredible power of the endocrine glands is the hormones they
produce and secrete.
  Hormones. Hormones may be defined as chemical substances that are
secreted by endocrine cells into the extracellular fluids and regulate the
metabolic activity of other cells in the body.
 Classification. Although many different hormones are produced, nearly all
of them can be classified chemically as either amino acid-based molecules
(including proteins, peptides, and amines) or steroids.
 Steroid hormones. Steroid hormones (made from cholesterol) include the
sex hormones made by the gonads and hormones produced by the
adrenal cortex.
 Amino acid-based hormones. All the others are nonsteroidal amino acid
derivatives.
Mechanisms of Hormone Action

Although the blood-borne hormones circulate to all the organs of the body, a
given hormone affects only certain tissue cells or organs.

 Target cells. For a target cell to respond to the hormone, specific protein
receptors must be present on its plasma membrane or in its interior to
which that hormone can attach; only when this binding occurs can the
hormone influence the workings of cells.
 The function of hormones. The hormones bring about their effects on,
the body cells primarily by altering cellular activity- that is, by increasing or
decreasing the rate of a normal, or usual, metabolic process rather than
stimulating a new one.
 Changes in hormone binding. The precise changes that follow hormone
binding depend on the specific hormone and the target cell type, but
typically one or more of the following occurs:
1. Changes in plasma membrane permeability or electrical state.
2. Synthesis of protein or certain regulatory molecules (such as enzymes) in
the cell.’
3. Activation or inactivation of enzymes.
4. Stimulation of mitosis.
5. Promotion of secretory activity.

Control of Hormone Release

What prompts the endocrine glands to release or not release their hormones?
  Negative feedback mechanisms. Negative feedback mechanisms are the
chief means of regulating blood levels of nearly all hormones.
 Endocrine gland stimuli. The stimuli that activate the endocrine organs
fall into three major categories- hormonal, humoral, and neural.
 Hormonal stimuli. The most common stimulus is a hormonal stimulus, in
which the endocrine organs are prodded into action by other hormones;
for example, hypothalamic hormones stimulate the anterior pituitary gland
to secrete its hormones, and many anterior pituitary hormones stimulate
other endocrine organs to release their hormones into the blood.
 Humoral stimuli. Changing blood levels of certain ions and nutrients may
also stimulate hormone release, and this is referred to as humoral stimuli;
for example, the release of parathyroid hormone (PTH) by cells of the
parathyroid glands is prompted by decreasing blood calcium levels.
 Neural stimuli. In isolated cases, nerve fibers stimulate hormone release,
and the target cells are said to respond to neural stimuli; a classic example
is sympathetic nervous system stimulation of the adrenal medulla to
release norepinephrine and epinephrine during periods of stress.

Hormones: 9 Chemicals at Play Nurses Need to Know

It is amazing how smoothly the functions of our body flow. It is like a well-oiled
machinery that would produce and produce when it is in an excellent condition.
All of us are curious as to what is behind the masterpiece that is our body, and
the principal stars are tiny, teeny hormones that are playing inside us. Each and
every hormone has their own function and designation, so let’s meet and greet
these little ones and see what they got for us.

1. The Women’s Hormone: Estrogen

You might be familiar with this tiny, lady-like hormone. Let’s call her a ‘she’
because she is the main sex hormone in females. If you are curious as to what
maneuvers our puberty stages, then she is the one you are looking for. Estrogen
does not only spearhead the development of females, but it also prepares their
body for pregnancy. In addition to that, it is responsible for regulating the
menstrual cycle. All these tasks for a minuscule element! Everything that the
estrogen does is for the development of every woman’s being; hence, it is always
identified as the women’s hormone.

2. The Mother’s Hormone: Progesterone

Here comes estrogen’s best friend. This hormone is also a ‘she’ because, like
estrogen, it gives a hand to the development of females’ body. Yet
progesterone’s main goal is its role in pregnancy. It assists in the menstrual cycle,
and when it recognizes that the woman is pregnant, it immediately imposes itself
against estrogen, causing a decrease in estrogen and an increase in
progesterone. Without progesterone, women could not become full-fledged
mothers and bear adorable babies.

3. The Men’s Hormone: Testosterone

The counterpart of the women’s hormone, testosterone is responsible for the
masculinity of males. Some people would tell a man that he is oozing with
testosterone when what they really mean is he is very macho or exudes a very
masculine appeal. The primary task of this male sex hormone is to cause puberty.
The deepening of the voice, the increase in facial hair growth, and the muscle
mass growth for males is all thanks to this sturdy, tiny hormone. You know who
to thank or blame about your physical attributes guys!

4. The Stress Hormone: Cortisol

Almost all of us must be hunting for the one responsible for the infamous stress
we are always feeling during complicated situations. Be glad that you read on,
because you have finally found the culprit. Cortisol assists our body in responding
to stress, so we would not be able to feel stress without this tricky hormone.

However, this is not the only function for cortisol. It is also responsible for the
regulation of our blood pressure and blood glucose. We have to be friendly with
cortisol if we don’t want to suffer the deadly diseases of hypertension and
hypercholesterolemia. As some would say, keep your enemies closer than your
friends.

5. The Sleep Hormone: Melatonin

Wake those sleepy heads up for they will benefit from this part of the topic. Ever
wondered why you are so sleepy most of the time, or you are having a hard time
sleeping? Well, well, we already got the hormone in question. The only hormone
that could knock us out is melatonin. Depending on its levels, we are able to feel
sleepiness or hardly feel any sleepiness at all. Its levels increase as the dark
approaches, explaining why we feel sleepy as the night approaches. Stock up on
your melatonin if you want to sleep for a longer time, guys!
 6. Grow Up or Grow Down: Growth Hormone
You could not forever blame your parents’ genes for not achieving the height
that you have always wanted. Well, it is partly one of the causes, but aside from
that you divert that piercing look of yours to the silent but somehow powerful
hormones from the anterior pituitary gland. Each one of us has our own growth
hormone to nurture, and these are secreted in great amounts during our sleep.
So never forget to tell your younger siblings about the story of our growth
hormones if they really want to become basketball players or supermodels
someday. Call on up your melatonin levels too!

7. The Milk Hormone: Prolactin

One of the most amazing miracles manifested by human females is being able to
feed their young. The miracle of breastfeeding is really heartwarming and tender
to behold, especially for the mothers who are participating in this act. Let me
introduce you to the bearer of this miracle, prolactin. This is the official milk
stimulator of the body which enables lactating mothers to produce more milk for
their babies. It also plays a role in the sexual behavior of females. Without this
hormone, the most important food for babies, breast milk, would never be
possible.

8. The Bitter Hormone: Gastrin

Have you ever wondered why vomiting brings a bitter taste to your mouth? The
moment all your stomach’s contents are emptied out because you are vomiting,
what would follow next is a bitter, colorless substance coming out of your mouth.
This is all due to the hormone gastrin which promotes the secretion of acid in
your stomach. Acid assists in the breakdown of your food molecules once it hits
the stomach, but too much of it could be bad for your gastrointestinal system.
Befriend your gastrin hormone by avoiding too many spicy foods and taking your
meals on time. You would not want to taste it in your mouth, right?

9. The Bloody Hormone: Erythropoietin

Red blood cells do not just burst out of nowhere. They are formed in our bone
marrow, and there is an outstanding event organizer that makes everything
possible for red blood cells. Meet erythropoietin, the trusty caregiver of red blood
cells. They stimulate its development in the bone marrow, and without
it, anemia would surely hit us up.
These are just a few of the important hormones that play all around our bodies.
They may be tiny and not visible to the naked eye, but they have loads of critical
functions that enable our bodies to move around normally. A humongous and
gargantuan thanks to our hormones, the infinitesimal beings that matter the
most!