Endocrine System Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the main function of follicle cells in the thyroid?

Secrete parathyroid hormone

Generate catecholamines

Produce calcitonin

Produce thyroglobulin (correct)

Which cells produce parathyroid hormone?

Chief cells (correct)

Alpha cells

Beta cells

Oxyphil cells

What is the primary role of the adrenal cortex?

Produce glucagon

Produce catecholamines

Secrete insulin

Synthesize steroid hormones (correct)

Which structure is responsible for producing insulin?

Islets of Langerhans Signup and view all the answers

Which adrenal cortex layer is associated with mineralocorticoids?

Zona glomerulosa Signup and view all the answers

What type of hormone is calcitonin?

Peptide hormone Signup and view all the answers

What condition is primarily associated with hyperthyroidism?

Goiter Signup and view all the answers

Which cells in the islets of Langerhans primarily produce glucagon?

Alpha cells Signup and view all the answers

Which gland is primarily responsible for producing catecholamines?

Adrenal medulla Signup and view all the answers

The hypothalamus serves as what type of control center?

Higher control for the endocrine system Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the endocrine system?

To stimulate long-term processes such as growth and reproduction Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following glands is classified as a purely endocrine organ?

Adrenal cortex Signup and view all the answers

What type of hormones does the pituitary gland provide?

Both fat-soluble and water-soluble hormones Signup and view all the answers

How is the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland connected to the hypothalamus?

Via hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal veins Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of hormones secreted from the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland?

To affect muscle contraction and fluid balance Signup and view all the answers

Which hormone is secreted by the hormone-secreting neurons of the hypothalamus and released via the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland?

Vasopressin Signup and view all the answers

What anatomical feature protects the pituitary gland?

Pituitary fossa of the sphenoid bone Signup and view all the answers

Which type of glands produce both endocrine and exocrine secretions?

Mixed glands Signup and view all the answers

What connects the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland to the hypothalamus?

Neural tract Signup and view all the answers

How much does the pituitary gland weigh?

0.5 grams Signup and view all the answers

Which hormone is produced by the pineal gland?

Melatonin Signup and view all the answers

What condition is caused by excessive growth hormone in childhood?

Gigantism Signup and view all the answers

Which gland is responsible for producing antidiuretic hormone (ADH)?

Posterior pituitary Signup and view all the answers

What happens when there is a deficiency of ADH?

Diabetes insipidus Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following hormones is NOT considered a tropic hormone?

GH Signup and view all the answers

Where is the thyroid gland located?

Lower anterior neck Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is characterized by excess growth hormone in adulthood?

Acromegaly Signup and view all the answers

The thyroid gland plays a crucial role in which of the following processes?

Metabolism regulation Signup and view all the answers

Which cells in the pineal gland are responsible for hormone secretion?

Pinealocytes Signup and view all the answers

Which hormone is primarily involved in female reproductive functions and is secreted by the anterior pituitary?

FSH Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Endocrine System Lecture Notes

The endocrine system is a major control system of the body, regulating long-term processes like growth, development, metabolism, reproduction, and defense.
Endocrine organs are either mixed glands (endocrine and exocrine functions) or purely hormone-producing.
Hormones are either fat-soluble (steroid) or water-soluble (amino acid-based).

Learning Objectives

Students will enumerate the endocrine glands.
Students will describe gland positions, parts, hormones, and major relations.
Students will correlate anatomical data with clinical applications.

Organs of the Endocrine System

Purely Endocrine Organs: Pituitary, pineal, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal (cortex and medulla).
Endocrine Cells in Other Organs: Pancreas, thymus, gonads (testes and ovaries), hypothalamus.

Pituitary Gland (Hypophysis Cerebri)

It's the master controller of the endocrine system.
Pea-sized, about 0.5 grams.
Located in the cranial cavity, attached to the hypothalamus.
Composed of anterior (adenohypophysis) and posterior (neurohypophysis) lobes.
Anterior lobe has endocrine cells; posterior lobe has no endocrine cells, but has axon terminals from hypothalamic neurons.
Anterior lobe is connected to the hypothalamus via hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal veins.
Posterior lobe is connected to the hypothalamus via the hypothalamo-hypophyseal tract.
It secretes 9 hormones (TSH, ACTH, FSH, LH, GH, PRL, MSH, ADH/vasopressin, oxytocin).
Clinical Applications (Pituitary): Gigantism (too much growth hormone in childhood), acromegaly (too much growth hormone in adulthood), pituitary dwarfism (too little growth hormone in childhood), diabetes insipidus (low ADH).

Pineal Gland

Part of the epithalamus situated in the posterior wall of the third ventricle.
Pine-cone shaped, about 6 mm.
Contains pinealocytes (hormone-producing cells) and glial cells (supportive cells).
Often calcifies in middle age, detectable on brain scans.
Produces melatonin, a hormone regulating sex development and inhibiting free radicals.
Excess or lack of melatonin can impact puberty. Tumor affecting the gland might cause premature puberty.

Thyroid Gland

Butterfly-shaped, located in the lower anterior neck, with two lobes connected by an isthmus.
Lies near the trachea and esophagus.
Plays a crucial role in metabolism.
Contains follicle cells (produce thyroglobulin) and parafollicular "C" cells (produce calcitonin).
Clinical Applications (Thyroid): Goiter, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism.

Parathyroid Glands

Four small glands embedded on the posterior surface of the thyroid.
Composed of chief cells (produce parathyroid hormone) and oxyphil cells (unknown function).

Adrenal (Suprarenal) Glands

Located above each kidney.
Composed of cortex (3 layers producing steroid hormones: Mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, and androgens) and medulla (chromaffin cells producing epinephrine and norepinephrine).
Clinical Applications (Adrenals): Cushing syndrome (excess cortisol).

Pancreas

Endocrine portion includes islets of Langerhans (scattered within exocrine tissue).
Cells within the islets include alpha cells (glucagon), beta cells (insulin), and delta cells (somatostatin).
Clinical Applications (Pancreas): Diabetes mellitus.

Gonads (Testes & Ovaries)

Reproductive function discussed elsewhere.

Thymus Gland

Lymphatic system discussion, mentioned in the lecture.

Hypothalamus

Higher control center for the endocrine system, location is discussed in CNS lecture.

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Description

This quiz covers key concepts related to the endocrine system, including the functions and locations of various endocrine glands. Students will explore the roles of hormones produced by these glands and how they relate to overall bodily functions. Prepare to test your knowledge on this essential control system of the body.