Endocrine Glands and Pituitary Gland Hormones

• Endocrine glands are ductless glands.

Endocrine Glands List

• Pituitary
• Thyroid
• Parathyroid
• Adrenal
• Islets of Langerhans, pancreas
• Endocrinal parts of ovary and testes

Pituitary Gland

• Known as the hypophysis cerebri and master gland
• Located at the base of the brain in a depression on the sphenoid bone called the sella turcica, and is covered by a fold of dura mater.
• Weighs about 0.5gm and is 1 cm in diameter
• Connected to the hypothalamus by the infundibulum
• Divided into two parts: an anterior and posterior lobe

Hormones of the Anterior Lobe

• Growth hormone (GH)
• Prolactin
• Lutinizing hormone (LH)
• Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)

Hormones of the Posterior Lobe

• Oxytocin
• Vasopressin (anti-diuretic hormone / ADH)

Clinical Anatomy of the Pituitary Gland

• Pituitary adenoma can cause ballooning of the sella turcica

Thyroid Gland

• Weighs is 30 grams
• Found in the lower front part of the neck, just below the larynx
• Butterfly or H-shaped
• Consists of two lobes, right and left, connected by an isthmus
• Secretes Thyroxine

Clinical Anatomy of the Thyroid Gland

• An enlarged thyroid gland is called a goitre

Parathyroid Glands

• Four small, rounded glands embedded in the posterior surface of the thyroid gland
• Secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH)

Islets of Langerhans of the Pancreas

• The pancreas is a mixed gland with both exocrine and endocrine functions.
• The exocrine portion secretes digestive juice into the pancreatic duct
• The endocrine portion secretes hormones directly into the blood
• It secretes hormones, Insulin (by beta cells), and Glucagon (by alpha cells).

Adrenal Glands

• Termed suprarenal glands
• Located on the upper pole of the kidney
• 2.5 cm in length and 12 grams in weight
• Consists of an outer layer called the cortex and an inner core referred to as the medulla

Testes

• The endocrine parts of the testis are the interstitial cells of Leydig
• These cells lie in connective tissue spaces between the semineferous tubules
• Secretes the hormone testosterone

Ovary

• Endocrine parts of the ovary are the cells forming the Graffian follicles
• These cells secrete estrogen and progesterone hormones

Overview of endocrine glands, including the pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal glands. Focus on the pituitary gland's location, structure, and hormones secreted by the anterior and posterior lobes. Clinical anatomy of the pituitary gland is also discussed.