Endocrine System Overview

ADH stands for antidiuretic hormone. It is a hormone produced by the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary gland.

ADH helps regulate water balance in the body. It acts on the kidneys to increase water reabsorption, reducing urine output and conserving water in the body.

When ADH is released, the kidneys reabsorb more water, resulting in a decrease in urine volume. This helps to maintain blood volume and pressure.

When blood pressure is low, ADH levels increase, leading to more water reabsorption and an increase in blood volume and pressure.

When blood pressure returns to normal, ADH levels decrease, resulting in less water reabsorption and a return to normal urine volume.

Insulin helps regulate blood glucose levels. It promotes glucose uptake and storage in cells, lowering blood sugar levels.

When insulin is released, cells take up more glucose from the bloodstream, leading to lower blood sugar levels.

Insulin levels increase after a meal, helping to remove excess glucose from the bloodstream and store it in the body.

When blood glucose levels drop below a certain threshold, insulin levels decrease, allowing the body to release stored glucose from the liver and raise blood sugar levels.

The hypothalamus acts as the control center for the endocrine system. It regulates the release of hormones from the anterior and posterior pituitary glands.

The pituitary gland is divided into the anterior pituitary and the posterior pituitary. These divisions have distinct functions and produce different hormones.

The anterior pituitary gland produces and releases a variety of hormones that regulate other endocrine glands, including thyroid stimulating hormone, growth hormone, prolactin, and adrenocorticotropic hormone.

The posterior pituitary gland stores and releases hormones produced by the hypothalamus, including antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and oxytocin.

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of the neck. It produces hormones that regulate metabolism, growth, and development.

The thyroid gland produces thyroid hormones, primarily thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones regulate metabolism, growth, and development.

The adrenal cortex has three layers: zona glomerulosa, zona fasciculata, and zona reticularis. Each layer produces different hormones.

The anterior pituitary is a part of the endocrine system responsible for producing and releasing hormones that regulate various bodily functions. It is often referred to as the 'master gland' due to its influence on other endocrine glands.

The posterior pituitary is another part of the endocrine system but it does not produce hormones. Instead, it stores and releases hormones produced by the hypothalamus, a region in the brain.

Calcitonin is a hormone that helps regulate calcium levels in the blood. It lowers calcium levels by promoting bone deposition and inhibiting calcium absorption in the intestines.

Excess adrenalin in the bloodstream can lead to an exaggerated fight-or-flight response, causing symptoms like high blood pressure, increased heart rate, and anxiety even in non-threatening situations.

Type 1 diabetes is characterized by a lack of insulin production by the pancreas. This disrupts the balance between insulin and glucagon, leading to high blood sugar levels.