Station 1

Pituitary Gland
The pituitary gland, also known as hypophysis, is a pea-
sized shape gland located in the brain that is connected to
and controlled by the hypothalamus. It has two major
lobes: the anterior lobe and the posterior lobe.
The posterior pituitary is composed mainly of neural tissue
that receives and then releases hormones secreted by neurons
(neurohormones). APs are sent down the axons of
hypothalamic neurons that cause the release of hormones from the axon terminals located in the
posterior pituitary. Because of this, it is more of a storage area for hormones than a true
endocrine gland since it doesn’t actually make any hormones. Two key hormones released are
oxytocin, the maternal or “love hormone”, and ADH, a critical hormone in osmoregulation.
The anterior pituitary is composed of glandular tissue
and has traditionally been called the “master endocrine
gland” because many of the hormones it produces
regulate the activity of other glands, as you can see in
the diagram to the left. Even though it is a master gland,
it is still controlled by the hypothalamus, so some argue
that the hypothalamus is truly the “king” of the endocrine
structures. It releases 6 amino acid-based hormones:
• Growth hormone (GH): a tissue building hormone that regulates growth and
metabolism
• Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH): targets and stimulates the thyroid
gland to release thyroid hormones
• Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH): targets and stimulates the adrenal
gland
• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing hormone (LH): known
collectively as the “gonadotropins”, these hormones target the ovaries and
testes and stimulate the production of gametes and sex hormones
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• Prolactin: stimulates milk production in female breasts
 Station 2
Hypothalamus
The primary function of the hypothalamus is to maintain
homeostasis. It is considered a “neuroendocrine organ” because it
serves as the link between the nervous and endocrine systems in
order to accomplish this function. It produces releasing and inhibiting
hormones that then control the production and secretion of other
hormones throughout the body. It mainly connects these two systems
by controlling the pituitary gland that is just inferior to it.

The following hormones are secreted by the hypothalamus in order to stimulate the anterior pituitary gland:
• Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH): regulates the release of ACTH that then stimulates the adrenal glands to make
corticosteroids
• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone: regulates the release of FSH and LH, key hormones in maintaining normal functioning of
the ovaries and testes
• Growth hormone releasing (GHRH) and inhibiting (GHIH) hormones: regulates the release of growth hormones
• Prolactin releasing (PRH) and inhibiting (PIH) hormones: regulates the release of prolactin
• Thyrotropin releasing hormone: regulates the release of TSH, which controls the thyroid gland’s production of thyroid
hormones
These hormones are made by the hypothalamus and sent to the posterior pituitary gland to be secreted:
• Anti-diuretic hormone (ADH): increases water absorption in the blood by the kidneys
• Oxytocin: plays a role in the ability to trust, orgasm, release breast milk, and regulate body temperature and sleep cycles

The HPA axis, as pictured to the left, consists of the

hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands working together
as one entity. These three glands interact to regulate lots of our
daily processes like digestion, but are especially known for their
role in how we handle stress. Long-term stress causes the
hypothalamus to release CRH, which travels through the blood to
the anterior pituitary and stimulates the production and secretion
of ACTH. ACTH travels in the blood to the adrenal glands, where
it stimulates the adrenal cortex to release hormones like cortisol.
The HPG axis consists of the hypothalamus, pituitary, and
gonads, working together to regulate the production and
secretion of sex hormones. This is just another example of the
massive regulatory role that the hypothalamus plays within the
© It‘s Not Rocket Science ®
endocrine system.
 Station 3
Thyroid Gland
The thyroid gland is the largest pure endocrine gland
in the human body. It is located in the neck in a butterfly
shape that wraps around the trachea. It consists of two
lobes (right and left) connected by a tissue called the
isthmus. Two large arteries supply it with blood. The
thyroid gland secretes the thyroid hormones (T3 and
T4) and calcitonin. Calcitonin helps to regulate blood
Ca2+ levels. T3 and T4 affect virtually every cell in the
body because they play a role in:
• Increasing our basal metabolic rate and body heat
production
• Regulating tissue growth and development
• Maintaining blood pressure
isthmus
Because nearly ever cell is affected by thyroid
hormones, issues in the thyroid have impacts all over
the body. 4.6% of the population suffers from
hypothyroidism, which is when the thyroid gland’s
hormone production slows, resulting in a slower
metabolism and weight gain. Hyperthyroidism is the
opposite – the thyroid gland is overactive and produces
an excess of its hormones. This causes an accelerated
heart rate, sudden weight loss, anxiety, and sensitivity Right lobe Left lobe
to heat.
© It‘s Not Rocket Science ®
 Station 4
Parathyroid Glands

The parathyroid glands are tiny glands (usually 4)

on the posterior side of the thyroid gland. They
secrete the parathyroid hormone (PTH), which is
the single most important hormone in controlling
the balance of calcium in the blood.

Ca2+ homeostasis is critical for muscle

contractions, nerve signal transmission, and blood
clotting. When Ca2+ levels drop, the parathyroid
glands are triggered to release PTH. PTH targets
the skeleton, kidneys and intestines.

In the bones, it stimulates osteoclasts to digest

some of the bony matrix in order to release calcium
and phosphate ions into the blood. It stimulates the
kidneys to reabsorb Ca2+ for the blood rather than
excreting in urine. Lastly, it promotes the activation
of Vitamin D which causes an increase in the
absorption of Ca2+ from food by intestinal cells. Parathyroid glands
© It‘s Not Rocket Science ®
 Station 5 Left adrenal gland

Adrenal Glands Right adrenal gland

The pyramid-shaped pair of glands that sit on top

of the kidneys are called the adrenal glands. Each
adrenal gland can be structurally and functionally
divided into two parts: the outer adrenal cortex
and the inner adrenal medulla. Both glands play a
role in our body’s response to stress.
Adrenal cortex
Fibrous capsule
The adrenal medulla is
mainly a knot of nervous
tissue and is considered
part of the sympathetic
Adrenal medulla
nervous system. It
synthesizes and secretes
The adrenal cortex synthesizes over 24 steroid hormones, known epinephrine and
as the corticosteroids, from cholesterol. These hormones are not norepinephrine to help
stored in cells and thus are released as they are made. They can be reinforce and prolong the
subdivided into: body’s fight-or-flight
• Mineralocorticoids: help control the balance of water and minerals (like response. These
Na+ and K+) in the blood, which affects blood volume and pressure hormones cause an
– Ex. aldosterone = stimulates Na+ reabsorption and K+ secretion increase in heart rate,
• Glucocorticoids: involved in energy metabolism and responding to increase in blood sugar,
stress increase in contractility,
– Ex. Cortisol = promotes the formation of glucose from fats and and the relaxation of
proteins, which increases blood glucose levels smooth muscles in our
• Gonadocorticoids: adrenal sex hormones that later are converted to airways to allow more
testosterone and estrogen oxygen in. © It‘s Not Rocket Science ®
 Station 6
Pineal Gland
The pineal gland is a tiny organ that is part of the epithalamus
in the diencephalon in the brain. The major hormone produced
and secreted by this gland is melatonin, which establishes our
sleep/wake cycle, also known as our circadian rhythm.
Melatonin levels are highest in the blood at night and lowest
during the day. It may also be related to the production of
antioxidant and detoxification molecules in our cells.
Some research suggests it could even play a role in the timing of puberty in children.
How does it work to regulate our sleep/wake cycle? This gland indirectly receives
input from the visual pathways in our brain related to the intensity and duration of
daylight. Exposure to bright light suppresses melatonin secretion – which is one of the
reasons why it is important to not be on your phone right before you try to fall asleep,
as you may be sending false signals to the receptors in your brain about what time of
day it is!

Scan the QR Code or click the link

below to access and read a 2019
CNN article covering 10 common
myths people have about sleep!

h2ps://www.cnn.com/2019/04/16/health/sleep-myths-facts-study/index.html
© It‘s Not Rocket Science ®
 Station 7
Pancreas
The pancreas is an organ that has many functions outside of the
endocrine system. However within the pancreas there are 2 major
groups of hormone-producing cells:
• Alpha (α) cells release glucagon which raises blood sugar.
• Beta (β) cells release insulin which lowers blood sugar. Insulin
plays additional roles in neuron development, eating behaviors,
learning, memory, amino acid uptake, and protein synthesis in
muscle tissues.
Our bodies use glucose to meet our
energy needs first. This is followed by
glycogen formation. If there is excess
glucose, it gets converted to fat.
Glucose
Glycogen

BLOOD SUGAR REGULATION

When too HIGH: Your pancreas receives the signal that your blood
sugar is above its normal range. This stimulus initiates the beta cells
in your pancreas (the effector organ) to release insulin. Insulin
causes your body cells to take in glucose from your blood, which
lowers your blood sugar concentration. Your liver cells, specifically,
Glucose take in glucose and store it as glycogen, which lowers your blood
Glycogen
glucose concentration and thus stabilizes your blood sugar.

When too LOW: Your pancreas receives the signal that your blood
sugar is below its normal range. This stimulus initiates the alpha cells
in your pancreas (the effector organ) to release glucagon. Glucagon
GLUCAGON causes your liver cells to break down stored glycogen in order to
release glucose into your blood, thus raising your blood glucose
concentration and stabilizing your blood sugar.
© It‘s Not Rocket Science ®
 Station 8
Gonads (Ovaries)

Ovaries

The gonads are reproductive sex glands.

Female
Females have ovaries and males have testes. Reproductive
The female reproductive system, labeled in System
the picture to the right, is designed to not only
produce female sex cells (eggs) but also to
nurture a developing fetus for 9 months.
The two female ovaries are located in the abdominopelvic cavity and
produce, store, and release eggs for reproduction. They are also
responsible for secreting estrogens and progesterone hormones.
Estrogens are responsible for the maturation of female reproductive
organs as well as the development of other female sex characteristics
during puberty such as breast changes, fat distribution and the start of
the menstrual cycle. Progesterone prepares the body for pregnancy by
preventing further eggs from maturing once one has been released,
causing the uterine lining to thicken, and preparing the breasts for
lactation.
© It‘s Not Rocket Science ®
 Station 9
Gonads (Testes)
The gonads are reproductive sex glands. Females
have ovaries and males have testes. The two male
testes are located in an extra-abdominal pouch called
the scrotum and are responsible for producing male
Testes
sex cells (sperm) and secreting male sex hormones,
primarily testosterone.
During puberty, testosterone plays a major role in initiating the
maturation of male reproductive organs, pictured below,
stimulating sex drive, and the appearance of other secondary sex
characteristics, like body hair growth.
Male Reproductive System
Post puberty, testosterone continues
to play a role in normal sperm
production as well as the regulation
of sex drive, bone mass, fat
metabolism, muscle mass, and
strength. The majority of
testosterone is produced by the
testes, but small amounts are also
made in the adrenal glands. © It‘s Not Rocket Science ®
 Station 10
Placenta
The placenta is arguably the most unique organ in the
endocrine system as it is a pancake-shaped temporary
organ that only exists during pregnancy. Its role is to
sustain the fetus during pregnancy as well as to secrete
various hormones throughout the course of pregnancy,
such as estrogens, progesterone, and human
chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).
placenta uterus

hCG is the hormone detected by pregnancy tests that

lets you know if you are pregnant or not. It maintains
the production of estrogen and progesterone for the
growing fetus. The placenta secretes additional
hormones like relaxin, which causes the mother’s
pelvic ligaments to relax and widen in preparation for
childbirth.

The placenta develops during weeks 2-8 of pregnancy

and fully functions as a nutritive, respiratory, excretory,
umbilical cord and endocrine organ for the growing fetus by the end
cervix
of the 3rd month of pregnancy (around 14 weeks.) After
the infant is born, the placenta detaches and is
delivered through the birth canal. © It‘s Not Rocket Science ®