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The endocrine system in the human body includes the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid gland, adrenal gland, pancreas, ovaries in women and testes in men. This article will help you better understand the endocrine system, its functions, and the hormones it produces.1. What is the endocrine system?
The endocrine system is a network of glands and organs scattered throughout the body. It is similar to the nervous system in that it plays an important role in controlling and regulating many bodily functions; However, the difference is that while the nervous system uses nerve impulses and neurotransmitters to communicate, the endocrine system uses hormones.
2. Functions of the endocrine system
The endocrine system is responsible for regulating a variety of bodily functions through the release of hormones. Hormones are secreted by the endocrine glands and travel through the bloodstream to the organs and tissues of the body.
Some examples of bodily functions controlled by the endocrine system include:
Metabolism Growth and development Sexual and reproductive functions Blood pressure Heart rate Appetite Sleep and wake cycles Body heat
3. Organs in the endocrine system
The endocrine system is made up of a complex network of glands - where hormones are produced, stored and released. Each gland produces one or more hormones, which enter specific organs and tissues in the body.
Glands of the endocrine system include:
Hypothalamus: Produces many hormones that control the pituitary gland. It is involved in regulating many functions, including sleep-wake cycles, appetite, and body temperature. It may also regulate the function of many other endocrine glands. Pituitary Gland: The pituitary gland is located below the hypothalamus. The hormones it produces influence growth and reproduction. It may also control the function of many other endocrine glands. Pineal Gland: This is a gland found in the middle of the brain that is important to the sleep-wake cycle. Thyroid: Located in the front part of the neck, very important for metabolism. Parathyroid gland: Also located at the front of the neck, it plays an important role in maintaining control of calcium levels in the bones and blood. Thymus: Located in the upper body, the thymus gland functions until puberty and produces hormones important for the development of T white blood cells. Adrenal gland: It is found on the top of each kidney. role in the production of important hormones to regulate functions such as blood pressure, heart rate and stress response. Pancreas: Located in the abdomen, behind the stomach, it controls blood sugar levels. Some endocrine glands have non-endocrine functions. For example, the ovaries and testes produce hormones, but they also have a non-endocrine function of producing eggs (with the ovaries) and sperm (with the testes).
4. Hormones of the endocrine system
Hormones used by the endocrine system to send messages to organs and tissues throughout the body. Once released into the bloodstream, they travel to the target organ or tissue, where there are receptors that recognize and respond to hormones.
Here are some hormones produced by the endocrine system:
Hormone | Tuyến tiết | Chức năng |
Adrenaline | Tuyến thượng thận | Làm tăng huyết áp, nhịp tim và chuyển hóa khi bị stress |
Aldosterone | Tuyến thượng thận | Kiểm soát cân bằng nước và muối của cơ thể |
Cortisol | Tuyến thượng thận | Đóng vai trò trong phản ứng căng thẳng |
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA) | Tuyến thượng thận | Hỗ trợ sản xuất mùi cơ thể và sự phát triển của lông ở tuổi dậy thì |
Estrogen | Buồng trứng | Có tác dụng điều hòa chu kỳ kinh nguyệt, duy trì thai kỳ và phát triển các đặc điểm giới tính nữ |
Hormone kích thích nang trứng (FSH) | Tuyến yên | Kiểm soát việc sản xuất trứng và tinh trùng |
Glucagon | Tuyến tụy | Giúp tăng mức đường huyết |
Insulin | Tuyến tụy | Giúp giảm lượng đường trong máu |
Hormone luteinizing (LH) | Tuyến yên | Kiểm soát sản xuất estrogen và testosterone, cũng như sự rụng trứng |
Melatonin | Tuyến yên | Kiểm soát chu kỳ ngủ và thức |
Oxytocin | Tuyến yên | Giúp cho con bú, sinh con và tạo sự liên kết mẹ con |
Hormone tuyến cận giáp | Tuyến cận giáp | Kiểm soát nồng độ canxi trong xương và máu |
Progesterone | Buồng trứng | Giúp chuẩn bị cho cơ thể mang thai khi trứng được thụ tinh |
Prolactin | Tuyến yên | Thúc đẩy sản xuất sữa mẹ |
Testosterone | Buồng trứng, tinh hoàn, tuyến thượng thận | Góp phần vào hình thành ham muốn tình dục ở nam và nữ, cũng như sự phát triển của các đặc điểm giới tính nam |
Hormone tuyến giáp | Tuyến giáp | Giúp kiểm soát một số chức năng của cơ thể, bao gồm tốc độ trao đổi chất và năng lượng |
5. Diseases related to the endocrine system
Hormone levels can sometimes be too high or too low, causing a number of health effects. Signs and symptoms vary depending on the type of hormone imbalance.
Here are some diseases that involve the endocrine system and alter hormone levels:
5.1 Hyperthyroidism Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland makes more hormones than it needs. This can be caused by a variety of reasons, including autoimmune causes.
Some common symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:
Fatigue Anxiety Weight loss Diarrhea Tachycardia Difficulty sleeping Hot flashes Treatment of hyperthyroidism depends on the severity of the disease as well as the cause. Treatment options include medication, radioiodine therapy, or surgery.
Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder and a common form of hyperthyroidism. In Graves' patient, the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, causing it to produce more hormones than usual.
5.2 Hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones. Some common symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
Fatigue Weight gain Constipation Poor cold tolerance Dry skin and hair Slow heartbeat Irregular menstrual cycle Fertility problems Treating hypothyroidism with supplements thyroid hormone medication.
5.3 Cushing's syndrome Cushing's syndrome occurs when levels of the hormone cortisol are high.
Common symptoms of this syndrome include:
Weight gain Accumulation of fat in the face, middle, or shoulders Stretch marks, especially on the arms, thighs, and abdomen Difficulty healing cuts, scrapes and insect bites Thin skin that bruises easily Irregular menstrual cycles Decreased sex drive and fertility in men Treatment for Cushing's syndrome depends on the cause of the disease and may include medications, radiation, or radiation. treatment or surgery.
5.4 Addison's Disease Addison's disease occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough cortisol or aldosterone. Some of the symptoms of the disease include:
Fatigue Weight loss Abdominal pain Low blood sugar Nausea or vomiting Diarrhea Or irritability Craving for salt or salty foods Irregular menstrual cycle Treatment for Addison's disease can be used Medicines that help replace hormones that the body doesn't produce enough of.
5.5 Diabetes Diabetes is a condition in which blood sugar is not properly regulated.
People with diabetes will have too much glucose in their blood (high blood sugar). There are two types of diabetes namely type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Some common symptoms of diabetes include:
Fatigue Losing weight Increased hunger or thirst Frequent urination Or irritability Frequent infections Diabetes treatment may include blood sugar monitoring, use of insulin therapy and medication. In addition, lifestyle changes, such as exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet, will also help with treatment.
References: mayoclinic.org
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