Endocrine Glands

Introduction 

The endocrine system in the human body is the system of glands and organs located in different places. It is similar to the nervous system in that it helps control and regulate the overall functions of the human body. Although the nervous system builds communication through neurotransmitters and nerve impulses, the endocrine system establishes communication through chemical messengers such as hormones.

Endocrine System 

Hormones are regularly produced in our body that directly affect the body’s overall functioning, including hunger, growth, and reproduction. Besides these minor functions, hormones also promote several complicated functions, including human behavior and emotions. These hormones are produced in our body through major endocrine glands. These glands, with other organs, help provide the auxiliary functions that together make up the endocrine system. 

The endocrine system in the human body is responsible for controlling the following functions- 

• Overall growth and development of the human being 
• Sexual and reproduction functions 
• The maintenance of appetite 
• Keep a check on the sleep cycle 
• Keeps the temperature of the body in control 
• Maintains adequate blood pressure 
• Metabolic rate 
• Maintains heart rate 

Endocrine Glands

The human endocrine glands are a combination of a complex network of glands responsible for producing several hormones at the right intervals in the human body that help regulate the functions of tissues and cells in the body. 

Note that some endocrine glands are specific to either ovary in females or testes in males. 

Let’s discuss each of these glands in detail! 

 List major endocrine glands. 

These are as follows- 

Pituitary Gland

The pituitary gland is located deep inside the skull and looks like a pea in appearance and one of the eight interrelated major endocrine glands. It weighs nearly  0.5 grams, and is responsible for regulating the activities of several other endocrine glands. Therefore, it is also known as the master gland of the human body. 

The hormones related by the pituitary gland promote healthy blood pressure, all sex organ functions, energy functions, metabolism, thyroid gland function. It also helps in several aspects of pregnancy, breastfeeding, childbirth, pain relief, and temperature regulation. 

Thyroid Gland

As the name suggests, the thyroid gland is located at the front of the thyroid in the neck,below Adam’s apple. It consists of two connected lobes. The lower two thirds of the lobes are connected by a thin band of tissue called the thyroid isthmus. The major hormones produced by the thyroid gland are thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones majorly affect the protein synthesis, controlling weight, body temperature metabolic rate and the development in infants. 

Parathyroid Glands

Parathyroid glands are small endocrine glands present at the back of the neck. In the human body, four major parathyroid glands are placed at the back of the thyroid glands. The hormones produced by the parathyroid glands are majorly responsible for controlling the number of minerals, calcium and phosphorus which are produced in the bones and blood. Hence, they keep checking on these. 

Adrenal Glands

This gland is  also known as suprarenal  gland and located above each kidney and no larger than a walnut in size that produces more than 150 hormones for regulating the body’s metabolism, immune system, blood pressure, and response to stress, etc. The most known hormone is Adrenaline, which promotes fight. 

Pancreas 

The pancreas in the human body is an endocrine and an exocrine gland located behind the stomach. Its appearance is roughly 6 inches long and flat in shape.  The two primary functions of the pancreas are- 

• Producing hormones including glucagon and insulin 
• Producing digestive enzymes

Gonads

Several endocrine glands in the human body are specific to males or females—for example, testes in males and ovaries in females. Ovaries produce the estrogen and progesterone hormones that promote female sex characteristics and leads to reproduction, and  to regulate the development  and function of the uterus. Whereas testosterone, the male sex hormone, is produced by testes responsible for male sex characteristics. These are also responsible for the growth of the body’s hair and muscles. 

Pineal Gland

This located in between the brain, the pineal gland is a small endocrine gland known as the epiphysis cerberin. The pineal gland produces the Melatonin hormone that successfully regulates sleep patterns in seasonal and circadian cycles. Its effects may not be considered until and unless the person is sleep deprived or overslept. 

Conclusion 

The endocrine glands are ductless glands responsible for secreting their products into the blood and letting the hormones travel to cells in other parts of the body. The endocrine hormones help control mood, growth and development, the way our organs work, metabolism , and reproduction. Several important glands are a part of the endocrine glands.