Endocrinology

The endocrine system regulates activities that require duration rather than speed. Endocrine glands release hormones, blood-borne chemical messengers that act on target cells located a long distance from the endocrine gland. Most target-cell activities under hormonal control are directed toward maintaining homeostasis. The central endocrine glands, which are in or closely associated with the brain, include the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and the pineal gland. The hypothalamus and posterior pituitary gland act as a unit to release hormones essential for maintaining water balance, for giving birth, and for breast-feeding. The hypothalamus also secretes regulatory hormones that control the hormonal output of the anterior pituitary gland, which secretes six hormones that, in turn, largely control the hormonal output of several peripheral endocrine glands. One anterior pituitary hormone, growth hormone, promotes growth and influences nutrient homeostasis. The pineal gland secretes a hormone important in establishing the body’s biological rhythms.

At the end of the lesson students will be able to learn;

Classification of endocrine glands, Mechanism of action, feedback and control of hormonal secretion, Functions of the hormones secreted by the  pituitary gland, hypothalamus, the thyroid gland, the parathyroid gland, adrenal cortex and medulla, and Control of blood sugar& physiology