The endocrine system comprises glands and organs distributed throughout the human body. As it acts similarly to the nervous system, it is critical in managing and controlling many body’s activities. Unlike the neurological system, which communicates via nerve impulses and neurotransmitters, the endocrine system communicates by chemical messengers known as hormones produced by the adrenal glands.
What are Endocrine Glands and Hormones?
Endocrine glands create certain chemical substances and release them into the bloodstream for them to perform various functions. These chemical substances are called hormones. People often wonder how to increase endocrine hormones, but first, it’s essential to understand what endocrine hormones are.
The endocrine system communicates with organs and tissues all across the body via hormones. After being released into the circulation, hormones travel to their intended organ or tissue, where receptors detect and respond to its presence. It is the job of endocrine hormones to maintain homeostasis (the state of balance in your body’s internal environment), manage energy levels, reproduction, growth and development, and your body’s response to injury, stress, and environmental factors.
Different Endocrine Glands produce hormones
Various hormones are synthesised, stored, and released by the endocrine glands. Each gland produces one or more hormones, targeting specific tissues and organs in the body. (see Endocrine Glands and Hormones diagram below)
The endocrine system’s glands and their various hormones include:
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Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus, which some do not regard as a gland, generates several hormones regulating the pituitary gland. In addition, it plays a role in the regulation of several physiological processes, such as sleep-wake cycles, body temperature, and food intake. Other endocrine glands may also be regulated by it.
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Pituitary
This gland is located underneath the hypothalamus, and the hormones it produces influence growth and reproduction. Other endocrine glands may be influenced by the activity of these glands as well. It produces hormones like follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH), oxytocin and prolactin.
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Pineal
The pituitary gland is located in the middle of the brain, and it’s critical for your sleep-wake cycles. It produces melatonin hormone, responsible for maintaining sleep-wake processes in humans.
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Thyroid
The thyroid gland is found in the front section of your neck, towards the base of your skull. It is pretty beneficial to the overall metabolism as it produces the thyroid hormone responsible for controlling several bodily functions like the metabolism rate and energy levels.
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Parathyroid
The parathyroid gland, positioned in the front of your neck, is critical as it helps regulate calcium levels in your blood and bones. It secretes the parathyroid hormone.
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Thymus
The thymus is a unique endocrine gland that remains active only until puberty and generates hormones critical for developing T-cells, a kind of white blood cell. It produces the thymosin hormone.
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Adrenal
Each kidney has one adrenal gland on top of it. Blood pressure, heart rate, and stress reaction are all controlled by hormones produced by these glands. The hormones produced by adrenal glands are adrenaline, aldosterone, cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S).
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Pancreas
Located beneath the stomach, the pancreas is an organ found in the belly. Blood sugar levels are controlled by insulin, produced by the endocrine glands.
Certain endocrine glands have other activities apart from producing hormones. The ovaries and testes, for example, create hormones, and they also produce eggs and sperm, which are non-endocrine functions.
Functions of Endocrine Glands
The endocrine system regulates a wide range of physiological processes, some of which are listed below:
- Various hormones produced by the endocrine glands are crucial for metabolism.
- They help with the growth and development of our bodies, especially in adolescents.
- Sexual hormones like testosterone, oestrogen, progesterone play a vital role in reproduction.
- Certain hormones help maintain heart rate and blood pressure.
- Endocrine glands and hormones regulate a healthy appetite.
- As previously discussed, certain hormones also help regulate sleep-wake cycles in humans.
- Homeostasis.
Conclusion
As studied through the endocrine glands , the endocrine system coordinates several body processes. It uses hormones or chemical messengers to do this. Abnormalities in endocrine hormones can result in abnormalities in routine body functions too.The endocrine system communicates with organs and tissues all across the body via hormones. After being released into the circulation, hormones travel to their intended organ or tissue, where receptors detect and respond to its presence. It is the job of endocrine hormones to maintain homeostasis (the state of balance in your body’s internal environment), manage energy levels, reproduction, growth and development, and your body’s response to injury, stress, and environmental factors.The hypothalamus, which some do not regard as a gland, generates several hormones regulating the pituitary gland. In addition, it plays a role in the regulation of several physiological processes, such as sleep-wake cycles, body temperature, and food intake