The Endocrine Glands and The Nervous System

THE ENDOCRINE GLANDS and THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
Two major systems, the nervous system and the endocrine system coordinate the various activities of body
parts.
Both systems utilize chemical messengers (chemical signals) to fulfil their functions and therefore, a certain
amount of overlap is to be expected between the nervous and endocrine system.
The systems evolved together, no doubt making occasional use of the same chemical messengers and
communicating not only with other systems but with each other as well.
Difference between the Nervous System and then Endocrine Glands
The nervous system, utilizes neurotransmitter substances, which are released by one neuron and influence
the excitability of other neurons.
The human endocrine system utilizes hormones, chemical messengers that are produced in one body region
but affect a different body region. Endocrine glands are ductless; they secrete hormones directly into the
bloodstream for distribution throughout the body.
The nervous system reacts quickly to external and internal stimuli.
The endocrine system is slower than the nervous system because it takes time for hormone to travel through
the circulatory system to its target organ.
An organ awaits the arrival of a hormone. The cells that can react to a hormone have specific receptors that
combine with the hormone in a lock-and-key manner. Therefore, certain cells respond to one hormone and
not to another, depending on their receptor.
THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
- is a chemical communication network that

sends messages throughout the body via
the bloodstream.
Location of the major endocrine glands --->

1. Hypothalamus
- beneath the thalamus in the third ventricle of

the brain; regulates the bodys internal
environment; helps control heart rate, body
temperature, and water balance, as well as
the activity of the pituitary gland.
2. Pituitary gland
- lies below and regulated by the hypothalamus.
- Sometimes called the master gland because it controls the

functioning of the rest of the endocrine system.
- secrete hormones that control growth
2 PORTIONS
2.1. Posterior pituitary stores and releases 2 hormones
a. ADH (antidiuretic hormone)
[The inability to produce ADH causes watery urine (diabetes insipidus) in which a person produces copious
amounts of urine with a resultant loss of salts from blood].
b. oxytocin - causes the uterus to contract and used to artificially induce labor;
- stimulates the release of milk from the mothers mammary glands when her baby is nursing.
2.2 Anterior pituitaries: master gland
Releases:
thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) that stimulates thyroid
adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) that stimulates adrenal cortex.
gonadotropic hormones which target the gonads

Gonadotropic hormones
- follicle-stimulating hormones controls egg & sperm production
- luteinizing homone (LH) controls sex hormone production
- prolactin (PRL) - stimulates milk production & secretion (mammary gland)
- growth hormone stimulates cell division, protein synthesis, and bone growth (soft tissue bones).
3. Pineal Gland : hormone at night
- produces the hormone melatonin, primarily at night
- involved in daily cycles called circadian rhythms.
4. Thyroid Gland (not physiologically related to parathyroid)
- located in the neck. Attached to the trachea just below the

larynx
- composed of a large number of follicles filled with

thyroglobulin, the storage form of thyroxin (speeds up
metabolism). The production of these requires iodine. (if
iodine is lacking in the diet, the thyroid gland enlarges,
producing goiter).
5. Parathyroid Gland
- embedded in the posterior surface of the thyroid gland

under the influence of parathyroid hormone (PTH), the
blood calcium level increases and the phosphate level diseases.
- stimulates the absorption of calcium from the digestive tract,

the retention of the calcium by the kidneys, and the
demineralization of bone.
- if insufficient PTH is produced, the blood calcium level drops,

resulting in tetany (the body shakes from continuous muscl
contraction. The effect is brought about by increased excitability
of the nerves, which initiate nerve impuses spontaneously and
without rest).
6. Thymus Gland: most active in children
- Lobular gland that lies in the upper thoracic cavity

(above the sternum).
- reaches its large size and most active during childhood;

during old age, it gets smaller and becomes fatty.
- certain lymphocytes that originate in the bone marrow

and then pass through the thymus are transformed into
T cells---with the help of thymosins hormones and may
stimulate immune system.
7. Adrenal Gland - lie atop the kidney
a. Adrenal medulla
- secretes for fight or flight
- secretes norepinephrine &
epinephrine under condition of stress.
b. Adrenal cortex
- make glucocorticoids & mineralcorticoids
**Example of glucocorticoids: cortisol promotes the hydrolysis of muscle protein to amino acids, which then enter
the blood. This leads to increased level of glucose when the liver converts these amino acids to glucose; favors
metabolism of fatty acids rather than carbohydrates; raises the blood glucose level; counteract the inflammatory
response.
**Example of mineralocorticoids: aldosterone regulates the level of sodium and potassium in the blood.
8. Pancreas - long organ that lies transversely in the
abdomen, between the kidneys and near the
duodenum of the small intestine.
2 types of tissue
a. exocrine produces and secretes digestive
juices to the small intestines by way of ducts.
b. endocrine produces and secretes the hormones
insulin and glucagons directly into the blood.
Insulin
- hormone that promotes storage of nutrients so that
They are on hand during leaner times; helps to lower
the blood glucose level.
Glucagons
- secreted from the pancreas in between eating, & its
effects are opposite to those of insulin.
- stimulates the breakdown of stored nutrients & causes
blood glucose level to rise.
9. Gonads
produce hormones that determine sexual characteristics.
Testes produce androgens & testosterone which are male sex hormones.
Ovaries produce estrogen & progesterone which are female sex hormones.
Hormones can be mimicked by chemicals

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THE ENDOCRINE GLANDS and THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

Difference between the Nervous System and then Endocrine Glands

The nervous system reacts quickly to external and internal stimuli.

THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

- is a chemical communication network that

Location of the major endocrine glands --->

- beneath the thalamus in the third ventricle of

- lies below and regulated by the hypothalamus.

- Sometimes called the master gland because it controls the

- secrete hormones that control growth

2.1. Posterior pituitary stores and releases 2 hormones

a. ADH (antidiuretic hormone)

2.2 Anterior pituitaries: master gland

thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) that stimulates thyroid

adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) that stimulates adrenal cortex.

gonadotropic hormones which target the gonads

- follicle-stimulating hormones controls egg & sperm production

- luteinizing homone (LH) controls sex hormone production

- prolactin (PRL) - stimulates milk production & secretion (mammary gland)

3. Pineal Gland : hormone at night

- produces the hormone melatonin, primarily at night

- involved in daily cycles called circadian rhythms.

4. Thyroid Gland (not physiologically related to parathyroid)

- located in the neck. Attached to the trachea just below the

- composed of a large number of follicles filled with

- embedded in the posterior surface of the thyroid gland

- stimulates the absorption of calcium from the digestive tract,

- if insufficient PTH is produced, the blood calcium level drops,

6. Thymus Gland: most active in children

- Lobular gland that lies in the upper thoracic cavity

- reaches its large size and most active during childhood;

- certain lymphocytes that originate in the bone marrow

7. Adrenal Gland - lie atop the kidney

Hormones can be mimicked by chemicals

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