Bio
Bio
Bio
and the Endocrine system. Actions of the nervous system are mediated through nerves, whereas
actions of the endocrine system are mediated through hormones. Because of the large diffusion
distances and circulation delays involved, hormonal responses are generally slower in onset than
those mediated by nerves. They are also more persistent, since the removal of hormones from the
bloodstream may take some time after secretion has stopped.
Human endocrine system, group of ductless glands that regulate body processes by secreting
chemical substances called hormones. Hormones act on nearby tissues or are carried in the
bloodstream to act on specific target organs and distant tissues. Diseases of the endocrine system
can result from the oversecretion or undersecretion of hormones or from the inability of target
organs or tissues to respond to hormones effectively.
Endocrinology is the study of endocrine glands, hormones, and hormonal disorders. Thomas Addison is
the father of endocrinology.
The word endocrine is derived from a Greek word, which means “I separate within”.
It is important to distinguish between an endocrine gland, which discharges hormones into the
bloodstream, and an exocrine gland, which secretes substances through a duct opening in a gland onto
an external or internal body surface. Salivary glands and sweat glands are examples of exocrine glands.
Both saliva, secreted by the salivary glands, and sweat, secreted by the sweat glands, act on local tissues
near the duct openings. In contrast, the hormones secreted by endocrine glands are carried by the
circulation to exert their actions on tissues remote from the site of their secretion.
6. Thymus + diseases
7. Pancreas + diseases
Thyroid Gland
The thyroid gland is the biggest endocrine gland and is found in the front
of the neck, below the voice box (larynx) and on top of the trachea
(windpipe). It has a butterfly-like shape. The gland consists of 2 lobes, 1 on
each side of the windpipe, connected by a small bridge of thyroid tissue
called the isthmus.
Most of the thyroid tissue consists of follicles lined by the follicular cells.
These secrete the iodine-containing thyroid hormones.
Thyroid hormones
The hormones made by the thyroid consist 80% of thyroxine (T4) and 20%
of triiodothyronine (T3)
Metabolic rate (the rate at which your body transforms the food you
eat into energy).
Muscle control.
Brain development.
Bone maintenance.
Thyroidal Diseases
Thyroid cancer
Parathyroid Gland
The parathyroid glands are two pairs of glands usually positioned behind
the left and right lobes of the thyroid. Each gland is a yellowish-brown flat
ovoid that resembles a lentil seed. There are typically four parathyroid
glands. The two parathyroid glands on each side which are positioned
higher are called the superior parathyroid glands, while the lower two are
called the inferior parathyroid glands.
Parathyroid hormone
Action– PTH minimizes the calcium loss in the urine and also stimulates
active vitamin D formation in the kidneys.
THYMUS GLAND
It is a single, bilobed, flattened, pyramidal gland, situated in the mediastinal space just
in front of the heart located on the dorsal side of the heart and the aorta . It is also called
Throne of immunity. It is degenerated in the old individuals (after the age of 25 years)
resulting in the decreased production of thymosin.
It is partly endocrine and partly lymphoid, covered by a connective tissue capsule and
consists of two zones: (i) Outer cortex with lymphocyte-like cells; and (ii) Inner medulla
comprising reticular cells, few lymphocytes and Hassal’s corpuscles. These are
phagocytic
Hormone production
Functions
One of the most important functions of the thymus is to stimulate the
production of very specialized cells called T-cells (also called T-
lymphocytes). These cells are responsible for directly fending off foreign
pathogens such as viruses and bacteria. They also regulate the immune
system, helping to prevent autoimmunity, wherein, the body’s immune
system elicits immune responses on its own healthy cells.
Pure red aplasia, is caused when the patient’s own immune cells attack the
blood-forming stem cells. This happens when there is a tumour in the
thymus.
Pancreas
The pancreas is an elongated, tapered organ located across the
back of the belly, behind the stomach. The right side of the organ
—called the head—is the widest part of the organ and lies in the
curve of the duodenum, the first division of the small intestine.
The tapered left side extends slightly upward—called the body of
the pancreas—and ends near the spleen—called the tail.
The pancreas is made up of 2 types of glands:
Functions
Exocrine Function:
The pancreas contains exocrine glands that
produce enzymes important to digestion. These enzymes include
trypsin and chymotrypsin to digest proteins; amylase for the digestion
of carbohydrates; and lipase to break down fats. When food enters the
stomach, these pancreatic juices are released into a system of ducts
that culminate in the main pancreatic duct. The pancreatic juices
and bile that are released into the duodenum, help the body to digest
fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.
Endocrine Function:
Diabetes mellitus