2. Chapter 7

3. Applied Learning Outcomes
Use the terminology
associated with the endocrine
system
Learn about hormones,
glands, and their functions
Understand the aging and
pathology of the endocrine
system
Chapter 7 – The Endocrine Glands and Hormones

4. Overview
• The endocrine system
is a complex collection
of hormones that
coordinate many of the
body’s functions.
• It is composed of
glands that produce
endocrine secretions.
• Endocrine secretions
are cellular signals that
go directly into the
blood.
Chapter 7 – The Endocrine Glands and Hormones

5. The Endocrine Glands –
Pituitary and Pineal
The pituitary gland is known as the master endocrine
gland because its numerous hormones control most of the
other endocrine glands and is intimately linked to the
overall coordination of the body’s organ systems.
The pineal gland
is responsible for
producing
melatonin and
serotonin.
Chapter 7 – The Endocrine Glands and Hormones

6. The Endocrine Glands -
Adrenal
The adrenal glands are
made up of an outer cortex
and an inner medulla.
The adrenal cortex
produces corticosteroids
and androgens. The
adrenal medulla produces
adrenaline and
noradrenaline.
Chapter 7 – The Endocrine Glands and Hormones

7. The Endocrine Glands –
Thyroid and Parathyroid
The thyroid gland
helps control the
metabolic rate.
The parathyroid gland
increases calcium
levels in the blood.
Chapter 7 – The Endocrine Glands and Hormones

8. The Endocrine Glands –
Pancreas and Thymus
The pancreas produces hormones
and digestive enzymes.
The thymus gland produces
secretions that stimulate the immune
system.
pancreas
Chapter 7 – The Endocrine Glands and Hormones

9. The Endocrine Glands -
Gonads
Gonad: An organ of the
reproductive system
Testis: The male gonad;
produces sperm and
testosterone
Ovary: The female gonad;
produces eggs, estrogen, and
progesterone
Chapter 7 – The Endocrine Glands and Hormones

10. Wellness and Illness over
the Life Span
Endocrine disorders are the result of either the
overproduction or underproduction of one or more
hormones. The number of endocrine disorders is
vast, as are the numbers of possible causes of
abnormal hormone production.
Changes in hormone production contribute to
aging. Most hormones decrease in amounts as
adults age due to a natural decrease in the size of
the endocrine glands, which is precipitated by the
diminished blood flow through the capillaries that
accompanies human aging.
Chapter 7 – The Endocrine Glands and Hormones

11. Summary
• The endocrine system is composed of
glands that produce endocrine secretions.
• There are 10 distinct endocrine glands.
• A hormone is any secretion that signals a
cell to alter its metabolism.
• Hormones work by attaching to receptors
on target cells.
• Most endocrine secretions control the
body through negative feedback.
Chapter 7 – The Endocrine Glands and Hormones