37.5 Endocrine Glands
3 min read•june 14, 2024
The is a complex network of glands that produce hormones to regulate various bodily functions. From the to the gonads, each gland plays a crucial role in maintaining , controlling growth, and managing reproduction.
Hormones act as chemical messengers, traveling through the bloodstream to target specific cells. The interplay between different hormones and their feedback mechanisms ensures precise control over physiological processes, allowing the body to respond to internal and external changes effectively.
Endocrine System and Glands
Major endocrine glands and hormones
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- Secretes releasing hormones stimulate hormone secretion ( triggers release)
- Produces inhibiting hormones suppress anterior pituitary hormone secretion ( inhibits GH release)
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- Anterior pituitary hormones
- promotes skeletal and soft tissue growth
- (TSH) stimulates activity
- (ACTH) regulates adrenal cortex function
- (FSH) promotes follicle development in and spermatogenesis in
- (LH) triggers ovulation and stimulates ovaries and testes to produce sex hormones
- stimulates milk production in mammary glands
- hormones
- regulates water balance by increasing water reabsorption in kidneys
- stimulates uterine contractions during labor and milk ejection during breastfeeding
- Anterior pituitary hormones
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- (T3) and (T4) regulate metabolism, growth, and development
- helps maintain calcium homeostasis by decreasing blood calcium levels
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- increases blood calcium levels by stimulating bone resorption, calcium reabsorption in kidneys, and vitamin D activation
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- Adrenal cortex hormones
- () regulate metabolism, immune response, and stress response
- () maintain electrolyte balance and blood pressure
- () are precursors for sex hormone synthesis
- Adrenal medulla hormones
- and are released during stress response, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels
- Adrenal cortex hormones
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- lowers blood glucose levels by promoting glucose uptake and storage in cells
- raises blood glucose levels by stimulating glucose release from liver
- Gonads
- Ovaries
- promote female secondary sexual characteristics and prepare uterus for implantation
- maintains pregnancy and prepares mammary glands for milk production
- Testes
- promotes male secondary sexual characteristics and supports spermatogenesis
- Ovaries
Regulation through hormone secretion
- Endocrine glands secrete hormones directly into bloodstream, allowing for systemic effects
- Target cells express specific , initiating cellular responses
- Hormone-receptor binding can alter gene expression or change cellular activity ( binding triggers glucose transporter translocation)
- Endocrine system regulates diverse bodily functions
- Metabolism: thyroid hormones increase metabolic rate; insulin and glucagon regulate blood glucose levels
- Growth and development: GH and thyroid hormones promote growth; sex hormones drive puberty changes
- Reproduction: FSH, LH, estrogens, progesterone, and control reproductive functions
- Homeostasis: ADH maintains water balance; PTH and calcitonin regulate blood calcium levels; and insulin control blood glucose
- Stress response: cortisol, , and norepinephrine prepare body for "fight or flight" response
Roles of hypothalamus and pituitary
- Hypothalamus integrates nervous and endocrine systems
- Receives input from various brain regions, allowing for neural control of endocrine function
- Secretes releasing and inhibiting hormones into to control anterior pituitary
- , the "master gland," orchestrates endocrine system function
- Anterior pituitary is regulated by hypothalamic hormones
- Secretes tropic hormones (TSH, ACTH, FSH, LH) that stimulate other endocrine glands
- Posterior pituitary stores and releases hypothalamic hormones (ADH and oxytocin)
- Anterior pituitary is regulated by hypothalamic hormones
- Hypothalamic-pituitary axes ensure coordinated endocrine response
- : hypothalamus (TRH) → anterior pituitary (TSH) → thyroid gland (T3 and T4)
- : hypothalamus () → anterior pituitary (ACTH) → adrenal cortex (cortisol)
- : hypothalamus () → anterior pituitary (FSH and LH) → gonads (sex hormones)
Endocrine signaling and feedback mechanisms
- involves hormone release into bloodstream to affect distant target cells
- is the primary mechanism for maintaining homeostasis
- Example: High blood glucose levels trigger insulin release, which lowers blood glucose, inhibiting further insulin secretion
- amplifies a response
- Example: Oxytocin release during childbirth stimulates stronger contractions, leading to more oxytocin release
Key Terms to Review (83)
Adrenal glands: Adrenal glands are small, triangular-shaped glands located on top of each kidney. They produce hormones that regulate metabolism, immune system, blood pressure, and stress responses.
Adrenal glands: The adrenal glands are small, triangular-shaped glands located on top of each kidney that produce a variety of hormones essential for regulating metabolism, the immune system, blood pressure, and response to stress. These glands play a crucial role in the endocrine system, helping the body to maintain homeostasis through hormone secretion.
Adrenocorticotropic hormone: Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is a peptide hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates the adrenal cortex to release cortisol and other glucocorticoids. This hormone plays a crucial role in the body’s response to stress, influencing various physiological processes such as metabolism, immune response, and blood pressure regulation.
Aldosterone: Aldosterone is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex. It plays a crucial role in regulating sodium and potassium levels in the blood, thereby controlling blood pressure and fluid balance.
Aldosterone: Aldosterone is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands that plays a key role in regulating sodium and potassium levels in the body. It influences blood pressure and fluid balance by promoting sodium reabsorption in the kidneys, which helps control blood volume and pressure.
Alpha cells: Alpha cells are specialized cells located in the pancreas that produce and secrete the hormone glucagon. They play a crucial role in glucose metabolism by increasing blood sugar levels.
Androgens: Androgens are a group of hormones that play a role in male traits and reproductive activity, primarily known for their influence on the development of male characteristics such as muscle mass and body hair. They are produced mainly in the testes and adrenal glands, and their regulation is crucial for maintaining hormonal balance within the body, affecting both physical and behavioral traits.
Anterior pituitary: The anterior pituitary is the front portion of the pituitary gland, responsible for producing and releasing hormones that regulate various physiological processes. It plays a key role in growth, metabolism, and reproductive functions through its hormone secretions.
Antidiuretic Hormone: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH), also known as vasopressin, is a peptide hormone produced by the hypothalamus and released from the posterior pituitary gland that helps regulate water balance in the body. It connects to key functions like water retention, blood pressure regulation, and the overall balance of fluids in the body, making it essential for osmoregulation and maintaining homeostasis.
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH): Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) is a hormone produced by the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary gland. It helps regulate water balance in the body by increasing water reabsorption in the kidneys.
Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP): Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is a hormone produced by the heart's atria that helps regulate blood pressure and fluid balance. It promotes sodium excretion, which leads to decreased blood volume and lower blood pressure.
Beta cells: Beta cells are specialized cells located in the islets of Langerhans within the pancreas. They play a critical role in regulating blood glucose levels by secreting insulin.
Calcitonin: Calcitonin is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland that plays a crucial role in regulating calcium levels in the blood. It lowers blood calcium levels by inhibiting osteoclast activity, which are the cells responsible for breaking down bone, and promotes the uptake of calcium by bones. This process is vital for maintaining bone health and calcium homeostasis in the body.
Colloid: A colloid is a mixture where one substance of microscopically dispersed insoluble particles is suspended throughout another substance. In the context of biology, colloids often play crucial roles in various physiological processes, including those within endocrine glands.
Cortisol: Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex and plays a crucial role in the body's response to stress. It helps regulate metabolism, immune response, and other vital processes.
Cortisol: Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex, primarily responsible for regulating metabolism, immune response, and stress responses in the body. As a glucocorticoid, cortisol plays a critical role in maintaining homeostasis by helping to control blood sugar levels, reduce inflammation, and manage stress-related reactions. Its production and release are tightly regulated by feedback mechanisms involving other hormones and endocrine glands.
Courtship displays: Courtship displays are behavioral rituals performed by animals to attract mates and facilitate reproductive success. These displays often involve complex sequences of actions, sounds, visual signals, or chemical cues.
CRH: Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is a peptide hormone produced in the hypothalamus that plays a crucial role in the body's response to stress. It stimulates the release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from the pituitary gland, which in turn promotes the production of cortisol in the adrenal glands. This hormone is key in the regulation of various physiological processes, particularly during stress, making it vital for understanding hormone regulation and the function of endocrine glands.
DHEA: DHEA, or dehydroepiandrosterone, is a steroid hormone produced primarily by the adrenal glands that serves as a precursor to both male and female sex hormones, including testosterone and estrogen. It plays a crucial role in the endocrine system by influencing various physiological processes, such as metabolism, immune function, and overall hormonal balance in the body.
Endocrine signaling: Endocrine signaling is a form of cell communication where hormones are secreted by endocrine glands into the bloodstream, allowing them to travel to distant target cells and exert their effects. This type of signaling plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological processes, including growth, metabolism, and reproduction, and involves the interaction of signaling molecules with specific cellular receptors on target cells.
Endocrine system: The endocrine system is a network of glands that produce and secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream to regulate various body functions. This system plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis, controlling metabolism, growth, reproduction, and responding to stress, thereby influencing nearly every aspect of our biology.
Epinephrine: Epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, is a hormone and neurotransmitter produced by the adrenal medulla. It plays a crucial role in the body's fight-or-flight response by increasing heart rate, blood flow to muscles, and blood sugar levels.
Epinephrine: Epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, is a hormone and neurotransmitter produced by the adrenal glands that plays a critical role in the body's fight-or-flight response. It influences various metabolic pathways by increasing glucose availability, enhancing lipid breakdown, and affecting protein metabolism, making it essential for the body’s stress response.
Estrogens: Estrogens are a group of steroid hormones that play a crucial role in the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sexual characteristics. These hormones are primarily produced by the ovaries, but can also be synthesized in smaller amounts by the adrenal glands and fat tissues. Estrogens are essential for various physiological processes, including the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and the maintenance of bone density.
Follicle-stimulating hormone: Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is a glycoprotein hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland that plays a crucial role in the regulation of reproductive processes. It stimulates the growth and maturation of ovarian follicles in females and the production of sperm in males, highlighting its importance in fertility and sexual development. FSH works alongside other hormones in the endocrine system, coordinating reproductive functions and ensuring proper hormonal balance.
Glucagon: Glucagon is a peptide hormone produced by the alpha cells of the pancreas that plays a critical role in maintaining blood glucose levels. It works primarily by promoting the conversion of stored glycogen in the liver into glucose, releasing it into the bloodstream when blood sugar levels are low, and also influences the metabolism of proteins and lipids, contributing to overall energy homeostasis.
Glucocorticoids: Glucocorticoids are a class of steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex that play a crucial role in regulating metabolism, immune response, and stress response. These hormones help maintain homeostasis by influencing various bodily functions, such as glucose metabolism, protein catabolism, and the suppression of inflammation. Glucocorticoids are essential for survival during periods of stress and are often involved in the body's response to chronic stressors.
GnRH: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is a peptide hormone produced in the hypothalamus that plays a crucial role in regulating the reproductive hormone cascade. It stimulates the pituitary gland to release gonadotropins, specifically luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which are essential for normal functioning of the ovaries and testes. By controlling these hormones, GnRH is vital for hormone production, functioning of endocrine glands, and the overall hormonal control of reproduction.
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH): Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is a peptide hormone responsible for the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) from the anterior pituitary gland. It plays a critical role in regulating reproductive processes including puberty, sexual development, and fertility.
Growth hormone: Growth hormone (GH), also known as somatotropin, is a peptide hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland that plays a crucial role in growth, metabolism, and body composition. It stimulates growth in tissues and bones, and influences various metabolic processes, connecting it to the broader spectrum of hormones and their functions within the endocrine system.
Growth hormone (GH): Growth hormone (GH) is a peptide hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates growth, cell reproduction, and cell regeneration. It plays a crucial role in human development, metabolism, and overall body composition.
Homeostasis: Homeostasis is the process by which biological systems maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes. This dynamic equilibrium is essential for the survival of organisms, as it regulates factors like temperature, pH, and the concentration of ions and nutrients. It connects to various aspects of biology, including how organisms interact with their environment and the physiological processes that sustain life.
Hormone receptors: Hormone receptors are specialized proteins located on the surface of target cells or within the cells themselves, which bind to specific hormones to initiate a physiological response. These receptors are essential for mediating the effects of hormones, enabling them to regulate various body processes, including growth, metabolism, and reproduction.
HPA axis: The HPA axis, or hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, is a complex set of interactions between the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and the adrenal glands that regulates stress responses, mood, and various physiological processes. This system plays a vital role in controlling the release of hormones such as cortisol, which helps the body respond to stress and maintain homeostasis. The HPA axis also connects with other systems in the body, highlighting its importance in overall health and functioning.
HPG axis: The HPG axis, or hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, is a complex network of interactions between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and gonads that regulates reproductive function and hormone production in both males and females. This axis plays a crucial role in controlling the levels of sex hormones, including estrogen and testosterone, which are essential for development, reproduction, and overall health.
HPT axis: The HPT axis, or hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, is a complex set of interactions between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and thyroid gland that regulates metabolism, growth, and development. This axis plays a vital role in maintaining homeostasis by controlling the release of thyroid hormones, which are crucial for metabolic processes in the body. The interaction between these three structures is essential for proper endocrine function and overall physiological balance.
Hypophyseal portal system: The hypophyseal portal system is a network of blood vessels that connects the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary gland. It allows for the direct transport of hormones from the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary, facilitating rapid and efficient hormonal communication.
Hypophyseal portal system: The hypophyseal portal system is a network of blood vessels that connects the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary gland. This system plays a crucial role in the endocrine system by transporting hormones released from the hypothalamus directly to the anterior pituitary, facilitating a rapid response to regulatory signals and maintaining homeostasis in the body.
Hypothalamic-pituitary axis: The hypothalamic-pituitary axis is a complex set of interactions between the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland that plays a critical role in regulating various body processes and hormone production. This axis functions as the main communication pathway in the endocrine system, where the hypothalamus releases hormones that control the secretion of hormones from the pituitary gland, influencing bodily functions such as stress response, growth, metabolism, and reproduction.
Hypothalamus: The hypothalamus is a small but crucial part of the brain located below the thalamus. It plays a key role in regulating various autonomic processes and linking the nervous system to the endocrine system via the pituitary gland.
Hypothalamus: The hypothalamus is a small region of the brain located below the thalamus that plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis by regulating various physiological processes. It connects the nervous system to the endocrine system, influencing hormone release and controlling body temperature, hunger, thirst, sleep cycles, and emotional responses.
Insulin: Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood glucose levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose into cells. It plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis within the body.
Insulin: Insulin is a peptide hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates glucose levels in the blood and facilitates cellular uptake of glucose. It plays a vital role in maintaining energy balance by promoting the storage of glucose as glycogen and inhibiting the production of glucose by the liver, which connects it to various metabolic and physiological processes in the body.
Intracellular hormone receptors: Intracellular hormone receptors are protein molecules located inside the cell, typically within the cytoplasm or nucleus. They bind to specific hormones that can cross the cell membrane, initiating a cellular response by directly affecting gene expression.
Islets of Langerhans: Islets of Langerhans are clusters of endocrine cells located in the pancreas. They play a crucial role in regulating blood glucose levels by secreting hormones like insulin and glucagon.
Isthmus: An isthmus is a narrow strip of tissue connecting two larger parts of an organ or structure. In the endocrine system, it specifically refers to the part of the thyroid gland connecting its two lobes.
Leptin: Leptin is a hormone predominantly produced by adipose (fat) tissue that helps regulate energy balance by inhibiting hunger. It communicates with the hypothalamus in the brain to signal satiety and control food intake.
Luteinizing hormone: Luteinizing hormone (LH) is a gonadotropin produced by the anterior pituitary gland that plays a crucial role in regulating reproductive functions in both males and females. In women, LH triggers ovulation and stimulates the production of progesterone, while in men, it stimulates the production of testosterone. This hormone is essential for fertility and overall reproductive health.
Mineralocorticoids: Mineralocorticoids are a class of steroid hormones produced primarily by the adrenal cortex, specifically the zona glomerulosa. These hormones play a crucial role in regulating sodium and potassium balance in the body, which is vital for maintaining blood pressure and fluid balance. Aldosterone is the most well-known mineralocorticoid, influencing renal function and electrolyte homeostasis.
Negative feedback: Negative feedback is a regulatory mechanism in biological systems that helps maintain homeostasis by reversing changes from a set point. This process involves detecting deviations from a normal range and initiating responses that counteract those deviations, ensuring stability in various physiological functions.
Negative feedback loop: A negative feedback loop is a biological process where the output of a system suppresses or diminishes its own activity to maintain homeostasis. It helps stabilize internal conditions by counteracting deviations from a set point.
Norepinephrine: Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter and hormone that plays a key role in the body's response to stress and regulates various physiological functions, including blood pressure and heart rate. It is produced in the adrenal medulla and released during stressful situations, enhancing alertness and readiness for action, making it essential in both nervous system responses and hormonal regulation.
Ovaries: Ovaries are the female reproductive organs that produce eggs (ova) and hormones, including estrogen and progesterone. They play a crucial role in the menstrual cycle, ovulation, and overall female reproductive health, acting as both endocrine glands and sites of gametogenesis.
Oxytocin: Oxytocin is a peptide hormone produced in the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary gland, primarily known for its roles in childbirth and lactation. It also plays significant roles in social bonding, sexual reproduction, and behaviors that promote emotional connection and trust, impacting homeostasis in the body through its effects on various physiological processes.
Pancreas: The pancreas is a glandular organ located behind the stomach that has both digestive and endocrine functions. It produces enzymes for digestion and hormones like insulin and glucagon to regulate blood sugar levels.
Pancreas: The pancreas is a vital organ located behind the stomach that plays a key role in both the digestive and endocrine systems. It produces digestive enzymes that help break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in the small intestine, while also secreting hormones like insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream to regulate blood sugar levels. This dual function makes the pancreas essential for maintaining overall health and metabolic balance.
Parafollicular cells: Parafollicular cells, also known as C-cells, are specialized cells located in the thyroid gland. They secrete the hormone calcitonin, which helps regulate calcium levels in the blood.
Parathyroid glands: Parathyroid glands are small endocrine glands located on the posterior surface of the thyroid gland. They produce parathyroid hormone (PTH), which regulates calcium levels in the blood.
Parathyroid glands: Parathyroid glands are small endocrine glands located in the neck, typically four in number, that play a crucial role in regulating calcium levels in the blood. These glands secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH), which is essential for maintaining calcium homeostasis by increasing calcium absorption in the intestines, enhancing calcium reabsorption in the kidneys, and stimulating the release of calcium from bones. This process connects the function of these glands to the broader endocrine system and its regulation of mineral metabolism.
Parathyroid Hormone: Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is a key regulator of calcium and phosphate metabolism in the body, secreted by the parathyroid glands. It plays a crucial role in maintaining calcium homeostasis by increasing blood calcium levels when they drop too low, which connects it to various physiological processes involving hormone regulation, endocrine function, and bone health.
Parathyroid hormone (PTH): Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is a hormone secreted by the parathyroid glands that regulates calcium and phosphate balance in the blood and tissues. It increases blood calcium levels by stimulating osteoclast activity, increasing intestinal calcium absorption, and promoting renal calcium reabsorption.
Pituitary gland: The pituitary gland is a small, pea-sized organ located at the base of the brain that plays a crucial role in regulating various hormones. It is often referred to as the 'master gland' because it controls other endocrine glands in the body.
Pituitary Gland: The pituitary gland is a small, pea-sized endocrine gland located at the base of the brain, often referred to as the 'master gland' because it controls the release of hormones from other endocrine glands. It plays a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions such as growth, metabolism, and reproductive processes by secreting hormones that influence numerous physiological activities throughout the body.
Pituitary stalk: The pituitary stalk, also known as the infundibulum, is a slender structure that connects the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland. It plays a crucial role in the transport of hormones and neuronal signals between these two regions.
Positive feedback: Positive feedback is a biological mechanism that amplifies a response or increases the output of a process, pushing systems away from their starting state. This mechanism often leads to rapid changes and is crucial in specific biological contexts, where it can enhance physiological processes and help maintain or initiate significant biological events.
Positive feedback loop: A positive feedback loop is a physiological process where the output of a system amplifies the original stimulus. This can lead to an exponential increase or runaway effect in biological systems until an external factor intervenes.
Posterior pituitary: The posterior pituitary is the back portion of the pituitary gland that stores and releases hormones produced by the hypothalamus. It plays a crucial role in regulating vital body functions through hormone secretion.
Progesterone: Progesterone is a steroid hormone that plays a crucial role in regulating various bodily processes, particularly in the female reproductive system. It helps prepare the uterus for potential pregnancy after ovulation and is essential for maintaining early stages of pregnancy. This hormone also interacts with other hormones and influences processes such as the menstrual cycle and development of reproductive tissues.
Prolactin: Prolactin is a hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland that primarily stimulates milk production in mammals after childbirth. It also plays a role in regulating various metabolic processes, reproductive functions, and immune system responses. Prolactin is essential for maintaining homeostasis during lactation and influences behaviors associated with parenting and nurturing.
Prolactin (PRL): Prolactin (PRL) is a hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland that primarily stimulates milk production after childbirth. It also plays a role in regulating the immune system and development of the mammary glands.
Somatostatin: Somatostatin is a peptide hormone produced by the delta cells of the pancreas and the hypothalamus, which plays a critical role in regulating the endocrine system and inhibiting the release of various hormones. It serves to control growth hormone secretion and modulate the activity of other hormones such as insulin and glucagon, making it essential for maintaining homeostasis in the body.
Testes: The testes are the male reproductive organs responsible for producing sperm and hormones, primarily testosterone. They play a crucial role in male fertility and sexual development, functioning as both endocrine glands and sites for gametogenesis, or the formation of sperm cells. Their proper functioning is essential for maintaining male secondary sexual characteristics and overall reproductive health.
Testosterone: Testosterone is a steroid hormone primarily produced in the testes in males and in smaller amounts by the ovaries in females. It plays a key role in the development of male reproductive tissues and secondary sexual characteristics.
Testosterone: Testosterone is a steroid hormone produced primarily in the testes in males and in smaller amounts in the ovaries and adrenal glands in females. It plays a critical role in the development of male reproductive tissues, promoting secondary sexual characteristics such as increased muscle and bone mass, and influencing libido. This hormone is also involved in various bodily processes and functions beyond reproduction.
Thymus: The thymus is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located behind the sternum and between the lungs. It plays a crucial role in the development of the immune system by producing T-cells.
Thyroid gland: The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped endocrine organ located in the neck, responsible for producing hormones that regulate metabolism, growth, and development. It plays a critical role in controlling the body's metabolic rate through the release of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).
Thyroid Gland: The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland located in the neck, responsible for producing hormones that regulate metabolism, growth, and development. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the body's energy balance and overall metabolic rate through the secretion of key hormones such as thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), linking it closely to the functioning of other endocrine glands and hormonal types.
Thyroid-stimulating hormone: Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is a glycoprotein hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland that plays a critical role in regulating the production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland. TSH stimulates the thyroid gland to synthesize and release thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which are essential for controlling metabolism, growth, and development in the body. The secretion of TSH is part of a feedback loop involving the hypothalamus and thyroid gland, which ensures that hormone levels remain balanced.
Thyroxine: Thyroxine, also known as T4, is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland that plays a crucial role in metabolism and growth. It regulates the rate of energy use and affects nearly every physiological process in the body, including body temperature and heart rate.
Thyroxine: Thyroxine, also known as T4, is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland that plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism, growth, and development in the body. It is classified as an amino acid-derived hormone and is essential for maintaining energy levels and metabolic processes. The balance of thyroxine is critical as both excess and deficiency can lead to significant health issues.
TRH: Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) is a peptide hormone produced by the hypothalamus that plays a crucial role in regulating the production of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) from the pituitary gland. By stimulating TSH secretion, TRH directly influences thyroid hormone production from the thyroid gland, thereby affecting metabolism, growth, and development in the body.
Triiodothyronine: Triiodothyronine, commonly known as T3, is a thyroid hormone that plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism, growth, and development in the body. It is one of the main hormones produced by the thyroid gland, alongside thyroxine (T4), and is essential for maintaining energy levels and overall metabolic function. T3 influences many physiological processes, including heart rate, body temperature, and the rate at which the body uses fats and carbohydrates.
TSH: Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) is a glycoprotein hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland that regulates the production of hormones by the thyroid gland. It plays a crucial role in maintaining metabolic processes in the body by stimulating the synthesis and release of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which are essential for metabolism, growth, and development.