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Endocrine glands
Endocrine glands release (secrete) hormones into the bloodstream.
The endocrine glands include:
- Adrenal
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Hypothalamus
Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus is an area of the brain that produces hormones that control:Body temperatureHungerMoodRelease of hormones from many glands, especial...
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- Ovaries
- Parathyroid
- Pineal
- Pituitary
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Testes
Testes
The testes are 2 egg-shaped male reproductive organs located in the scrotum. They produce sperm and the male hormone, testosterone.
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Information
Hypersecretion is when too many hormones are secreted from a gland. Hyposecretion is when too few hormones are released.
There are many types of disorders that can result when too much or too little of a hormone is released.
Disorders that may result when a particular gland does not produce the right amount of hormones include:
Adrenal:
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Addison disease
Addison disease
Addison disease is a disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones.
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Adrenogenital syndrome
or adrenocortical hyperplasia
Adrenogenital syndrome
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is the name given to a group of inherited disorders of the adrenal gland.
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Cushing syndrome
Cushing syndrome
Cushing syndrome is a disorder that occurs when your body has a high level of the hormone cortisol.
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Pheochromocytoma
Pheochromocytoma
Pheochromocytoma is a rare tumor of adrenal gland tissue. It results in the release of too much epinephrine and norepinephrine, hormones that contro...
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Pancreas:
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Diabetes
Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.
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Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia
Low blood sugar is a condition that occurs when the body's blood sugar (glucose) decreases and is too low. Blood sugar below 70 mg/dL (3. 9 mmol/L) i...
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Parathyroid:
- Tetany
-
Renal calculi
Renal calculi
A kidney stone is a solid mass made up of tiny crystals. One or more stones can be in the kidney or ureter at the same time.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Excessive loss of minerals from bone
Pituitary:
-
Growth hormone deficiency
Growth hormone deficiency
Growth hormone deficiency means the pituitary gland does not make enough growth hormone.
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Acromegaly
Acromegaly
Acromegaly is a condition in which there is too much growth hormone in the body.
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Diabetes
Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.
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Gigantism
Gigantism
Gigantism is abnormal growth due to an excess of growth hormone during childhood.
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Diabetes insipidus
Diabetes insipidus
Diabetes insipidus is an uncommon condition in which the kidneys are unable to prevent the excretion of water.
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Testes and ovaries:
- Lack of sex development (unclear genitalia)
Thyroid:
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Congenital hypothyroidism
Congenital hypothyroidism
Neonatal hypothyroidism is decreased thyroid hormone production in a newborn. In very rare cases, no thyroid hormone is produced. The condition is ...
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Myxedema
Myxedema
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. This condition is often called underactive thyroid....
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Goiter
Goiter
A simple goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. It is usually not a tumor or cancer.
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Thyrotoxicosis
Thyrotoxicosis
Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. The condition is often called overactive thyroid.
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References
Kronenberg HM, Melmed S, Larsen PR, Polonsky KS. Principles of endocrinology. In: Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR, Kronenberg HM, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology . 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 1.
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Endocrine glands - illustration
Endocrine glands release hormones (chemical messengers) into the bloodstream to be transported to various organs and tissues throughout the body. For instance, the pancreas secretes insulin, which allows the body to regulate levels of sugar in the blood. The thyroid gets instructions from the pituitary to secrete hormones which determine the pace of chemical activity in the body (the more hormone in the bloodstream, the faster the chemical activity; the less hormone, the slower the activity).
Endocrine glands
illustration
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Brain-thyroid link - illustration
Although the thyroid gland releases the hormones which govern growth and metabolism, the brain (the pituitary and the hypothalamus) manages the release and the balance of the amount of hormones circulated.
Brain-thyroid link
illustration
-
Endocrine glands - illustration
Endocrine glands release hormones (chemical messengers) into the bloodstream to be transported to various organs and tissues throughout the body. For instance, the pancreas secretes insulin, which allows the body to regulate levels of sugar in the blood. The thyroid gets instructions from the pituitary to secrete hormones which determine the pace of chemical activity in the body (the more hormone in the bloodstream, the faster the chemical activity; the less hormone, the slower the activity).
Endocrine glands
illustration
-
Brain-thyroid link - illustration
Although the thyroid gland releases the hormones which govern growth and metabolism, the brain (the pituitary and the hypothalamus) manages the release and the balance of the amount of hormones circulated.
Brain-thyroid link
illustration
Review Date: 5/18/2015
Reviewed By: Robert Hurd, MD, Professor of Endocrinology and Health Care Ethics, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
