Contents

Introduction.....................................................................................................Page 1

Major Endocrine Glands....................................................................................Page 2

Anatomy...........................................................................................................Page 3

Structure and Function of Adrenal Glands...........................................................Page 4

        Hypothalamus.......................................................................................Page 4

        Pituitary.................................................................................................Page 4

Thyroid.................................................................................................Page 5

Parathyroid............................................................................................Page 5

Adrenal glands.......................................................................................Page 5

Pineal....................................................................................................Page 6

Gonads (Testes and ovaries) ..................................................................Page 6

The Pancreas..........................................................................................Page 7

Physiology of the Endocrine System.....................................................................Page 8

Hormones.........................................................................................................Page 9

Types of Hormone............................................................................................Page 10

        Corticosterone......................................................................................Page 10

        Cortisol..................................................................................................Page 10

        Cortisone..............................................................................................Page 11

        Epinephrine..........................................................................................Page 11

        Oestrogen.............................................................................................Page 12

Gonadotropic........................................................................................Page 12

Growth hormone....................................................................................Page 13

Norepinephrine......................................................................................Page 13

Oxytocin................................................................................................Page 14

Progesterone........................................................................................Page 14

Testosterone.........................................................................................Page 15

Thyrotropin............................................................................................Page 15

Thyroxine...............................................................................................Page 16

Disorders Associated With Hormones or the Lack of Hormones.........................Page 17

        Addison's Syndrome..............................................................................Page 17

        Amenorrhoea. ......................................................................................Page 17

        Hyperthyroidism....................................................................................Page 17

        Hypothyroidism......................................................................................Page 18

        Lesion....................................................................................................Page 19

        Menopause (Climacteric). ......................................................................Page 19

Bibliography...........................................................................................Page 20


Introduction

The Endocrine System is a vast and complex subject. However, when broken down, the definition of the word "endocrine" is: - Endo = within; - crin = to secrete. Therefore, the Endocrine System is the system of glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream.

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The Endocrine System works alongside the Nervous System to co-ordinate the functions of all the body systems. However, the authors do not wish to stray into the area of the Nervous System so what follows is a simplified description of endocrine glands and the hormones they release

Major Endocrine Glands

Anatomy

The primary glands that make up the endocrine system are the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pineal and gonads (testes and ovaries). The pancreas, an ...

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