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