Endocrine System: Facts, Functions and Diseases

The endocrine system is the collection of glands that produce hormones that regulate metabolism, growth and development, tissue function, sexual function, reproduction, sleep, and mood, among other things. The endocrine system is made up of the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, adrenal glands, pancreas, ovaries (in females) and testicles (in males), the Mayo Clinic notes. The word endocrine derives from the Greek words "endo," meaning within, and "crinis," meaning to secrete, according to Health Mentor Online. In general, a gland selects and removes materials from the blood, processes them and secretes the finished chemical product for use somewhere in the body. Prehistoric Van Goghs: Artists Used Pointillism 38,000 Years Ago Nineteenth-century artists, such as Georges Seurat and Vincent van Gogh, weren't the first to use pointillism, according to a discovery of 38,000-year-old decorated limestone tablets in France. [Image Gallery: The BioDigital Human]

Endocrine System: Discover the Anatomy and Function of Glands The endocrine system includes all of the glands of the body and the hormones produced by those glands. The glands are controlled directly by stimulation from the nervous system as well as by chemical receptors in the blood and hormones produced by other glands. By regulating the functions of organs in the body, these glands help to maintain the body’s homeostasis. Continued From Above... Anatomy of the Endocrine System Hypothalamus The hypothalamus is a part of the brain located superior and anterior to the brain stem and inferior to the thalamus. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) Growth hormone-inhibiting hormone (GHIH) Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) Oxytocin Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) All of the releasing and inhibiting hormones affect the function of the anterior pituitary gland. Pituitary Gland Posterior Pituitary Anterior Pituitary Pineal Gland Thyroid Gland Parathyroid Glands Adrenal Glands Pancreas

Endocrine System Ever dozed through chemistry class and wondered what chemistry had to do with you? A lot! Your body produces its own chemicals and uses them to control certain functions, and the main system that coordinates these chemicals is called the endocrine system. What Is the Endocrine System? Although we rarely think about the endocrine system, it influences almost every cell, organ, and function of our bodies. In general, the endocrine system is in charge of body processes that happen slowly, such as cell growth. The foundations of the endocrine system are the hormones and glands. A gland is a group of cells that produces and secretes, or gives off, chemicals. Some types of glands release their secretions in specific areas. The major glands that make up the human endocrine system include the: hypothalamuspituitary glandthyroidparathyroidsadrenal glandspineal bodyreproductive glands (which include the ovaries and testes)pancreas Hypothalamus Pituitary Thyroid Why are thyroid hormones so important?

Pancreas Function: What Does The Pancreas Do? The pancreas is a gland organ that is located in the abdomen. It is part of the digestive system and produces important enzymes and hormones that help break down foods. The pancreas has an endocrine function because it releases juices directly into the bloodstream, and it has an exocrine function because it releases juices into ducts. Enzymes, or digestive juices, produced by the pancreas are secreted into the small intestine to further break down food after it has left the stomach. What does the pancreas look like? The pancreas is a 6 to 10 inch (18 to 25 cm) long organ located behind the stomach in the back of the abdomen. The pancreas is a 6- to 10-inch (18 to 25 cm) long organ located behind the stomach in the back of the abdomen. The tail or body of the pancreas - its narrowest part - extends to the left side of the abdomen next to the spleen. There are two main types of tissue found in the pancreas: exocrine tissue and endocrine tissue. Fast facts on the pancreas

Pancreatic Islet Transplantation | NIDDK What are pancreatic islets? Pancreatic islets, also called islets of Langerhans, are tiny clusters of cells scattered throughout the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ about the size of a hand located behind the lower part of the stomach. Pancreatic islets contain several types of cells, including beta cells, that produce the hormone insulin. The pancreas also makes enzymes that help the body digest and use food. When the level of blood glucose, also called blood sugar, rises after a meal, the pancreas responds by releasing insulin into the bloodstream. Diabetes develops when the pancreas does not make enough insulin, the body's cells do not use insulin effectively, or both. In type 1 diabetes, the beta cells of the pancreas no longer make insulin because the body's immune system has attacked and destroyed them. What is pancreatic islet transplantation? The two types of pancreatic islet transplantation are allo-transplantation auto-transplantation Collaborative Islet Transplant Registry Data

Animal Systems: Endocrine System The endocrine system is one of the more difficult systems that you will learn about in class. Most of the activities of the system are not seen and you probably don't know that anything is happening. You definitely won't see any obvious problems, only the results of problems. Most of the early information about the endocrine system came from studying things that went wrong with the system. Even today, there are still many mysteries related to this system and it's activities. The best description we can offer is to describe the endocrine system as the chemical brother of the nervous system. This system controls many of the biochemical pathways that occur in your body. Many glands in your body secrete hormones into the blood. Because our endocrine system is very delicate, many things can go wrong.