Anatomy of

the Endocrine
System
 The endocrine glands of the human body are structurally and
functionally similar in males and females. Which of the following
is an exception?

(A) The sexual glands

(B) the thyroid gland
(C) the adrenal glands,
(D) the pituitary gland.
• The endocrine system comprises
several organs known as glands
that regulate our body's hormones. 

• Hormones are chemical messengers

that communicate with our organs,
skin, muscles, and other tissues
throughout our body, allowing them to
coordinate various signals. 
Parts of the Endocrine System
Hypothalamus: This gland controls our endocrine system, and is located
at the base of the brain, near the optic chiasm where the optic nerves
behind each eye cross and meet. It uses information from our nervous
system to determine when to tell other glands to produce hormones.
 Hormones released from the hypothalamus into the blood and
travel to the anterior pituitary:
Endocrine Hormone Primary Hormone Function
Gland

Hypothalam Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) Stimulates the pituitary to release adrenocorticotropic

us hormone (ACTH)

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) Stimulates the pituitary to release luteinizing hormone

(LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) Stimulates the pituitary to release thyroid-stimulating

hormone (TSH)

Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) Stimulates the release of growth hormone (GH) from the
pituitary

Somatostatin Inhibits the release of GH from the pituitary

Dopamine Inhibits the release of prolactin from the pituitary
Pituitary.
• The pituitary gland is located at the base
of the brain, below our hypothalamus.
• It is a small, pea-sized gland that controls
many functions of the other endocrine
glands.
• The hormones it produces affect growth
and reproduction.
• The pituitary gland is divided into two
lobes, the anterior and the posterior
lobe.
 Anterior pituitary gland
Endocrine Hormone Primary Hormone Function
Gland

Anterior Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH or Stimulates the release of hormones from the adrenal cortex
Pituitary corticotrophin)
Gland
Luteinizing hormone (LH)  LH is also known as a gonadotrophic hormone because of the role it plays
in controlling the function of the ovaries and testes, known as the gonads.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) Follicle stimulating hormone is one of the hormones essential to pubertal
development and the function of women's ovaries and men's testes.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) Stimulates the release of thyroid hormone that manage your metabolism,
energy levels and your nervous system.

Growth hormone (GH) Promotes the body’s growth and development

Prolactin Controls milk production (i.e., lactation)
Posterior pituitary gland
Endocrine Gland Hormone Primary Hormone Function

Posterior pituitary gland Vasopressin Helps control the body’s water and electrolyte levels

is also referred to as antidiuretic

hormone (ADH)

Oxytocin Promotes uterine contraction during labor and activates milk

ejection in nursing women
Pineal Gland
• The pineal gland, also known as the 'pineal body,’
and was described as the “Seat of the Soul” by
Renee Descartes.

Endocrine Gland Hormone Primary Hormone Function

Pineal gland Melatonin create and secrete melatonin, a hormone that helps maintain the
body’s internal clock.
Thyroid.
The thyroid gland is located in the front
part of your neck. It’s very important for
metabolism.  
Endocrine Hormone Primary Hormone Function
Gland

Thyroid Thyroid hormone Controls metabolic processes in

gland all cells

Calcitonin Helps control calcium

metabolism (i.e., lowers calcium
levels in the blood)
Parathyroid. 
Also located in the front of your neck,
the parathyroid gland is important for
maintaining control of calcium levels in
your bones and blood.

Endocrine Hormone Primary Hormone Function

Gland

Parathyroid Parathyroid Helps control calcium

gland hormone (PTH) metabolism (i.e., increases
calcium levels in the blood)
Thymus. 
The thymus is located in
the upper part of the chest
and produces white blood
cells that fight infections
and destroy abnormal
cells. the thymus is active
until puberty and produces
hormones that are
important for the
development of a type of
white blood cell called a T
cell.
Endocrine Hormone Primary Hormone Function
Gland
thymus gland Thymopoietin and thymulin These hormones are involved in the process
where T cells get turned into different types of
disease fighters.

Thymosin This hormone boosts the immune system's

response. Thymosin also stimulates hormones
that control growth.

Thymic humoral factor These hormones increase the immune system's

response to viruses.
Pancreas.
The pancreas is located across the back of the abdomen, behind
the stomach. The pancreas plays a role in digestion, as well as
hormone production.

Endocrine Hormone Primary Hormone Function

Gland

Pancreas Insulin Helps control carbohydrate

metabolism (i.e., lowers blood
sugar levels)

Glucagon Helps control carbohydrate

metabolism (i.e., increases blood
sugar levels)
Adrenal gland.

An adrenal gland is located on top of each kidney.

These glands produce hormones that are
important for regulating functions such as blood
pressure, heart rate, and stress response.

Adrenal glands are composed of two parts —

the cortex and the medulla — which are each
responsible for producing different hormones.
 Adrenal cortex Adrenal medulla

Endocrine Hormone Primary Hormone Endocrine Hormone Primary Hormone

Gland Function Gland Function

Adrenal Cortisol Helps control Adrenal Epinephrine Like several other

glands: carbohydrate, protein, and glands: (Adrenaline) and hormones produced by
adrenal lipid metabolism; protects adrenal Norepinephrine the adrenal glands,
cortex against stress medulla  (Noradrenaline) epinephrine and
norepinephrine are often
activated in physically and
emotionally stressful
situations when your
body needs additional
resources and energy to
Aldosterone Helps control the body’s endure unusual strain.
water and electrolyte
regulation
 Ovary.
Testis. Ovary is a sexual gland that are located on both
sides of the uterus, below the opening of the
fallopian tubes (tubes that extend from the
Testes is a sexual uterus to the ovaries).

gland that are

Endocrine Hormone Primary Hormone Function Endocrine Hormone Primary Hormone Function
Gland Gland

located in a pouch
Testes Testosterone Stimulates development
of the male reproductive
Ovaries Estrogen (produced by the
follicle)
Stimulates development of the
female reproductive organs

that hangs
organs, sperm Progesterone (produced by Prepares uterus for pregnancy
production, and protein the corpus luteum) and mammary glands for
anabolism

suspended outside
lactation

the male body.

The endocrine glands of the human body
are structurally and functionally similar in
males and females. Which of the
following is an exception?
(A) The sexual glands
(B) the thyroid gland
(C) the adrenal glands,
(D) the pituitary gland.