Endocrine System List
Oxytocin
A hormone released by the posterior pituitary that stimulates uterine contractions during childbirth and milk ejection during breastfeeding.
Hypothalamus
A neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward.
infundibulum
A stalk that attaches the pituitary gland to the hypothalamus.
Pancreas
An organs in the abdominal cavity with two roles. The first is an exocrine role: to produce digestive enzymes and bicarbonate, which are delivered to the small intestine via the pancreatic duct. The second is an endocrine role: to secrete insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream to help regulate blood glucose levels.
antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Released by the posterior pituitary gland; reduced urine output and conserves body water
pituitary gland
The endocrine system's most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands.
Testes
The male gonads, which produce sperm and secrete male sex hormones.
adrenal glands
a pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that help arouse the body in times of stress.
thyroid gland
endocrine gland that surrounds the trachea in the neck. produces hormones that regulate metabolism, body heat, and bone growth
follicle of thyroid gland
houses the precursor to the thyroid hormone
pituitary gland (hypophysis)
located at the base of the brain; considered the master gland as it secretes hormones that regulate the function of other glands, such as the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, ovaries, and testicles; the anterior pituitary secretes thyroid-stimulating hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, melanocyte-stimulating hormone, growth hormone, and prolactin; the posterior pituitary releases antidiuretic hormone and oxytocin
parafollicular cells
produce calcitonin
anterior lobe of pituitary gland
produces and secretes its own hormones
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
released by anterior pituitary gland; regulates activity of the cortex of the adrenal gland
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
released by the anterior pituitary gland; regulates activity of the cortex of the adrenal gland
Prolactin (PRL)
released by the anterior pituitary gland; stimulates breast development and maintains milk production following childbirth
Growth Hormone (GH)
released by the anterior pituitary gland; stimulates muscle and long bone growth
Melanocytes Stimulating Hormone (MSH)
released by the anterior pituitary gland; stimulates production of melanin in epidermal cells
Lutenzing hormone
released by the anterior pituitary gland; stimulates release of an egg from the ovaries in females, stimulates testosterone in males
Thyroid Hormone (TH)
released by the thyroid gland; controls the rate of body metabolism
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
secreted by the pituitary gland to stimulate maturation of the egg cell (ovum) of females, and sperm development in males
adrenal medulla
secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine
pineal gland
secretes melatonin, regulates circadian rhythms
parathyroid glands
small pea-like organs that regulate calcium and phosphate balance in blood, bones, and other tissues
Ovaries
the female gonads, which secrete the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone and produce mature egg cells
adrenal cortex
the outer portion of the adrenal glands
