Class notes
Endocrine glands
- Course
- Institution
Lecture notes of 3 pages for the course 2º Curso Histología at UAX (Endocrine glands)
[Show more]
Seller
Follow
victorhernndez
Content preview
Endocrine glandsEndocrine glands are specialized structures that secrete hormones directly into the
bloodstream. These hormones are transported to target cells and tissues throughout the body,
where they bind to specific receptors and elicit a physiological response.
There are several major endocrine glands in the body, including:
Pituitary gland: The pituitary gland is often called the "master gland" because it controls the
secretion of hormones by other glands. It is located at the base of the brain and consists of two
main parts: the anterior pituitary and the posterior pituitary. The anterior pituitary secretes
hormones that regulate growth, lactation, thyroid function, adrenal function, and reproductive
function, among other things. The posterior pituitary secretes two hormones: oxytocin, which
stimulates uterine contractions during childbirth and milk ejection during lactation, and
vasopressin (also called antidiuretic hormone), which regulates water balance in the body.
Thyroid gland: The thyroid gland is located in the neck and produces hormones that regulate
metabolism, growth, and development. The two main hormones produced by the thyroid
gland are thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones play a critical role in
maintaining the body's metabolic rate, body temperature, and energy balance.
Parathyroid glands: The parathyroid glands are four small glands located on the back of the
thyroid gland. They produce parathyroid hormone (PTH), which regulates calcium and
phosphorus levels in the blood. PTH increases calcium levels in the blood by stimulating the
release of calcium from bones, increasing calcium absorption in the intestines, and decreasing
calcium excretion by the kidneys.
Adrenal glands: The adrenal glands are located on top of each kidney and are composed of
two parts: the adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla. The adrenal cortex produces hormones
called corticosteroids, which regulate salt and water balance, blood pressure, and
inflammation. The three main types of corticosteroids are glucocorticoids (such as cortisol),
mineralocorticoids (such as aldosterone), and androgens (such as testosterone). The adrenal
medulla produces two hormones: epinephrine (also called adrenaline) and norepinephrine,
which play a role in the "fight or flight" response to stress.
Pancreas: The pancreas is both an endocrine and exocrine gland. The endocrine portion of the
pancreas is made up of clusters of cells called islets of Langerhans, which produce hormones
that regulate blood sugar levels. The two main hormones produced by the pancreas are insulin
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller victorhernndez. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $3.80. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
62491 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy study notes for 14 years now