Endocrine Organs and Their Functions

Endocrine Organs Overview

• Color coding:
  • Blue: Endocrine organ names
  • Pink: Hormone names
  • Green: Hormone target functions

Pituitary Gland

Anterior Pituitary Gland (Front Part)

• Hormones Produced: 7 Hormones

Hormones

1. Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)

   • Target: Adrenal gland
   • Function: Causes the adrenal gland to release steroid hormones
     • Examples: Aldosterone, Cortisone, Testosterone

2. Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

   • Target: Ovaries and Testes
   • Function: Stimulates production of steroid hormones (Estrogen and Testosterone)
   • Interplay causes maturation of sperm and eggs

3. Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

   • Associated with FSH
   • Target: Ovaries and Testes
   • Function: Similar to FSH, influences production of Estrogen and Testosterone

4. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

   • Target: Thyroid gland
   • Function: Stimulates thyroid gland to produce thyroxin, affecting metabolism

5. Growth Hormone (GH)

   • Target: Nearly every cell in the body
   • Function: Stimulates repair and growth
     • Important in childhood for height and muscle mass
     • Throughout life for cell and muscle repair

6. Prolactin (PRL)

   • Target: Mammary glands
   • Function: Stimulates milk production
   • May have other unknown effects in brain

7. Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (MSH)

   • Target: Melanocytes in skin
   • Function: Stimulates production of pigment (Melanin)

Posterior Pituitary Gland (Back Part)

• Hormones Released: 2 Hormones (Produced in Hypothalamus)

1. Anti-Diuretic Hormone (ADH)

   • Target: Kidneys
   • Function: Helps conserve water by causing kidneys to reabsorb more water
     • Can increase blood pressure
     • Reduces dehydration

2. Oxytocin

   • Targets: Uterus, Mammary glands, Brain
   • Function:
     • Causes milk ejection from mammary glands
     • Stimulates uterine contractions
     • Associated with bonding and relaxation in brain
     • Released during orgasm, may be linked to sexual bonding and relaxation

Hypothalamus

• Location: Part of the diencephalon in the brain
• Function: Controls pituitary gland (PG)
  • Connection: Emotional states (stress, anger) can affect hormone production in pituitary gland

Pineal Gland

• Location: Part of the epithalamus in the brain
• Hormone Produced: Melatonin
  • Function: Released in the dark, causes sleepiness

Conclusion

• Additional organs and hormones will be covered in part two of the lecture. Stay tuned.