Endocrine System – Functions, Organs & Conditions

It is equally important to take care of your physical body and mental health. This is because the mind and body interact with each other in complex ways. Some factors, like stress, lack of energy, poor sleep, and other issues, can impact your mental well-being. 

However, to internally maintain your endocrine system healthy, some glands play a vital role. A gland refers to an organ that generates and releases substances that perform a specific function in the body.

In general, there are two types of glands, namely the exocrine glands and the endocrine glands. The exocrine glands generate the substances into a ductal system to an epithelial surface, while the endocrine glands produce their secretion directly into the bloodstream.

What is the Endocrine System?

The endocrine system is a messenger system in an organism, which is a complex network of glands and organs. It has feedback loops of hormones that are released by internal glands directly into the circulatory system.

These hormones help coordinate your body’s metabolism process, energy level, growth, reproduction, and development. They respond to injury, stress, and mood; they also regulate distant organs. In human beings, the hypothalamus acts as the neural control centre for all endocrine systems.

Endocrine Glands

Endocrine glands are ductless glands that produce and discharge hormones directly into the bloodstream. These endocrine hormones perform functions like controlling mood, assisting growth and development, working organs, and aiding in metabolism and reproduction. Glands are generally the special tissues seen in your body that produce and release substances. The pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, thymus, and adrenal glands are the important endocrine glands. 

Functions of the Endocrine System

The endocrine system function is to produce and release hormones into your blood. At the same time, it continuously monitors the hormone levels it secretes.

The function of the hormone is to deliver its messages by binding to the cells it targets. The human body has many hormones, and they impact the following aspects of your health directly or indirectly.

• Metabolism
• Homeostasis (constant internal balance)
• Blood pressure control
• Blood sugar regulation
• Fluid (water) and electrolyte balance
• Body temperature
• Growth and development
• Sexual function
• Reproduction
• Sleep-wake cycle
• Mood

Small amounts of hormones can cause significant changes in your body. If your body has some extra hormones, it will affect your health, which will result in noticeable symptoms. 

Endocrine System Conditions

There are many conditions that are connected to the endocrine system. Here are some of the conditions of the endocrine system:

Adrenal insufficiency – A condition that occurs when the adrenal glands do not make enough of the hormone cortisol.

Hypothyroidism – Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid doesn’t create and release sufficient thyroid hormone into your bloodstream.

Diabetes – When the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or if the body cannot use the insulin properly, then this disease called diabetes occurs.

Cushing syndrome – A condition that happens due to exposure to high cortisol levels for a long time.

Hyperthyroidism – Hyperthyroidism is a condition that occurs when the thyroid gland generates a large amount of thyroid hormone. 

Osteoporosis – In this condition, bone mineral density and bone mass decreases. Else, the quality or structure of bones changes. 

Endocrine Gland tumors – The changes in the cells of an endocrine gland and its growth cause both benign and malignant tumors.

Acromegaly – Acromegaly is a hormonal disorder that happens when your pituitary gland generates extra growth hormone during adulthood.

PCOS – In PCOS, the ovaries produce abnormal androgens, which are male sex hormones present in women in small amounts.

Weight gain – The underlying diseases can lead to weight gain. Their examples are physical inactivity, age, overeating, or medication side effects. 

Erectile dysfunction – Erectile dysfunction causes stress, relationship strain, and low self-confidence, which can be signs of a physical or psychological condition.

Fatigue – Fatigue is a feeling of burnout or lack of energy. It is a feeling of constant exhaustion, which can be mental, physical, or a combination of both.

Pituitary disorders – Pituitary gland disorders are acromegaly, Cushing’s syndrome, empty sella syndrome, hypopituitarism, diabetes insipidus,  and pituitary tumours.

Hypercalcemia – In hypercalcemia, the calcium level in the blood becomes high. 

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia – It refers to many genetic conditions restricting the hormone generation in the adrenal glands. This condition affects a child’s normal growth and development. 

Gigantism – Gigantism occurs when a child or adolescent has maximum levels of growth hormone in their body, which results in their very tall growth.

Goitre – A goitre is a condition in which a lump or swelling is seen at the front of the neck caused by a swollen thyroid.

Growth hormone deficiency – Growth hormone deficiency(GHD) also called dwarfism or pituitary dwarfism, is caused by inadequate amounts of growth hormone in the body.

Hypogonadism – Hypogonadism is a condition in which the testes in men or the ovaries in women fail to function properly. The generation of a man’s testosterone and a woman’s estrogen is inhibited.

Obesity – Obesity is referred to as a chronic disease caused by excessive fat deposits that can affect health.

Amenorrhea – Amenorrhea is the condition that refers to the absence of menstruation, also shown as the missing of one or more menstrual periods.

Constipation – Constipation is an issue with the passing stool. It refers to a condition in which one passes less than three stools a week or has a difficult time passing stool.

Deep voice – Excess growth hormone (GH) can cause deep voice. Due to the widening and growth of the cartilaginous larynx, the vocal folds become thickened. 

Precocious puberty – Precocious puberty refers to a condition when children’s bodies start to change into adult bodies very soon. This change is also called puberty.

Endocrine System Organs

Several parts of the body generate hormones. The endocrine glands in human body are given below:

1. Hypothalamus: The hypothalamus is present in your brain, and it acts like your body’s thermostat. It accepts signals from the organs in your hormone (endocrine) system and other regions of your brain.

2. Pituitary: The pituitary gland is a small, pea-sized gland. This gland, functioning as a master gland, is seen at the base of your brain.

3. Thyroid: The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland present in the front part of the lower neck. It generates hormones like thyroxine and triiodothyronine, which regulate the rate at which cells burn fuel from food to make energy.  

4. Parathyroids: Parathyroid glands are responsible for releasing the parathyroid hormone (PTH), which regulates calcium levels in your blood. These glands also control phosphorus and vitamin D levels.

Parathyroids are the four tiny glands attached to the thyroid; they work together. The hormone released by them, called parathyroid hormone, controls the calcium level in the blood with the help of calcitonin. The calcitonin is made by the thyroid.

5. Adrenals: The adrenal gland is a small gland that generates hormones that help control heart rate, blood pressure, and some body functions. These also make steroid hormones, adrenaline, and noradrenaline.

6. Pineal body: The pineal gland is present on the posterior side of the cranial fossa in the brain. It is also called the pineal gland and is present in the middle of the brain. The pineal gland also secretes a hormone named melatonin, which might regulate your sleep at night and you’re waking up in the morning.

7. Ovaries: Ovaries are a pair of female glands in which the eggs develop, and the female hormones (like estrogen and progesterone) are produced. These hormones function for female traits, like breast development, body hair, and body shape. 

8. Testes: Testes are male sex glands that hold both the endocrine and exocrine functions.  Testes are oval-shaped reproductive structures that are seen in the scrotum, and they are separated by the scrotal septum.

9. Pancreas: The pancreas is part of both the endocrine system and the digestive system. The pancreas generates hormones in the bloodstream and secretes enzymes into the digestive tract. The pancreas produces hormones, such as insulin and glucagon, that regulate the glucose level or sugar in the blood.

Insulin helps the body maintain its energy storage so that the body will use this stored energy for exercise and other activities.

10. Hypothalamus: The hypothalamus is present in the brain’s lower central part, which helps connect the endocrine system and nervous system. Nerve cells in the hypothalamus generate the chemicals needed to control the secretion of hormones from the pituitary gland.

The hypothalamus gathers the data sensed by the brain (like the surrounding temperature, light exposure, and feelings) and sends it to the pituitary. This data affects the hormones that the pituitary makes and releases.

11. Pituitary: The pituitary gland is present at the base of the brain. This master gland makes several hormones, like growth hormone, which triggers bone growth and other body tissues. It helps the body handle the nutrients and minerals. It triggers the thyroid gland to make the thyroid hormone corticotropin, which triggers the adrenal gland to produce some hormones.

Antidiuretic hormone is a hormone that helps control body water balance. This happens through its impact on the kidney’s oxytocin, which stimulates the contractions of the uterus during labour. The pituitary secretes chemicals called endorphins that act on the nervous system and lower feelings of pain.

The pituitary produces hormones, which signal the reproductive organs to generate sex hormones. The pituitary gland controls ovulation and the menstrual cycle in women. 

12. Adrenal Glands: The adrenal glands are the two triangular adrenal glands present on top of each kidney. These glands consist of two parts; each of them makes a set of hormones, and they function differently.

The outer part is called the adrenal cortex, while the inner part is the adrenal medulla. The adrenal cortex produces hormones known as corticosteroids that help control salt, maintain water balance in the body, the body’s response to stress, the immune system, metabolism, and sexual function. The adrenal medulla produces catecholamines like epinephrine, which increase blood pressure and heart rate when the body is stressed.

13. Reproductive Glands: The gonads are considered the main source of sex hormones. Both boys and girls have gonads. In males, the male gonads are testes, which are in the scrotum. They produce hormones called androgens. These hormones help with changes related to puberty, height growth, voice deepening, and growth in facial and pubic hair.

The girl’s gonads, called the ovaries, are present in her pelvis. Their function is to make eggs and produce the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen plays a main role when a girl starts puberty. At that time, a girl will have breast growth and begin accumulating body fat around the hips and thighs. Estrogen and progesterone help control the girl’s menstrual cycle. Both of these hormones have their own functions during pregnancy.

Endocrine Diseases and Disorders

There are many endocrine diseases and disorders caused by several factors. Those endocrine diseases are given below : 

Acromegaly: As mentioned above, acromegaly arises when your pituitary gland generates extra growth hormone during adulthood.

Addison’s disease: In Addison’s disease, the adrenal glands don’t generate sufficient hormones.

Adrenal fatigue: Though it is not an official medical diagnosis, adrenal fatigue refers to a group of symptoms that aren’t specific.

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia: A group of genetic disorders that affect your adrenal glands.

Cushing’s syndrome: Cushing’s syndrome occurs due to exposure to high cortisol levels for a long time. Steroid drugs and overproduction of cortisol by the adrenal glands can cause this syndrome.

Gestational diabetes: Gestational diabetes is a high blood sugar condition that affects pregnant women. People with gestational diabetes are at greater risk of having type 2 diabetes later in their lives. 

Gigantism: Gigantism refers to a disorder in which a child or adolescent has high levels of growth hormone in their body, due to which they grow very tall.

Graves’ disease: Graves’ disease refers to an autoimmune disorder that results in hyperthyroidism or overactive thyroid.

Hashimoto’s disease: Hashimoto’s disease refers to an autoimmune disorder that can result in hypothyroidism or an underactive thyroid. When the immune system attacks the thyroid, the inflammation releases excess thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism). After some time, the inflammation may prevent the thyroid from generating sufficient hormones (hypothyroidism).

Hyperthyroidism: In this disorder, the thyroid gland generates extra thyroid hormone. So hyperthyroidism is also called overactive thyroid. 

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS): PCOS is a hormonal disorder in which the enlargement of ovaries occurs along with small cysts on the outer edges. Polycystic ovarian syndrome might be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Turner syndrome: Turner syndrome refers to a disease in which a female is born with only one X chromosome. It is also due to missing or incomplete sex chromosomes.

Conclusion

The endocrine system contains glands and organs that aid in many bodily functions. This endocrine system uses hormones to control and coordinate your body. The hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, etc., are the organs in the endocrine system.

The endocrine system holds many functions, like metabolism, homeostasis (constant internal balance), blood pressure control, blood sugar regulation, fluid (water) and electrolyte balance, body temperature, growth and development, etc. The endocrine system’s conditions include hypothyroidism, Cushing syndrome, adrenal insufficiency, etc.

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