Overview of The Endocrine System

Explain the characteristics of the endocrine system that make its reactions different from those of the nervous system.

Alongside with organs, bones, and tissues, the human body also functions through hormones. Some of these hormones are produced by the adrenal glands which are located right above the kidneys. Adrenal glands produce hormones that give vital instructions to almost every organ and every tissue in your body. When someone’s adrenal glands do not produce enough amounts of certain hormones such as cortisol and aldosterone, this often leads to Addison’s Disease.

The adrenal glands, located above the kidneys, are where natural hormones and steroids that the body uses are secreted and regulated. These hormones and steroids come from either the adrenal cortex, or the adrenal medulla. Hormones from the cortex start at the pituitary gland where ACTH or adrenocorticotrophic hormone is secreted. “ The adrenal cortex secretes hormones known as corticosteroids, or cortical steroids.”( Rather, Spencer) There are three zones of the adrenal cortex, the zona glomerulosa, fasciulata, and reticularis. Each of these zones produce specific steroid hormones. Two main types of steroids among many others are Cortisol and Aldosterone. Cortisol is referred to as the stress hormone as it is involved in the response to stress and anxiety. Aldosterone increases reabsorption and retention of sodium and water in the kidneys. This process involves secretion of potassium and is stimulated by low blood sodium, this increases blood volume and

The Endocrine System is made up of the pituitary gland, thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas, thymus, ovaries, testes, adrenal glands, and the hypothalamus. These glands secrete hormones that help maintain homeostasis in the body. The endocrine system releases hormones that promote growth, development, reproduction, and metabolism.

Thank you for this information that you added on this assignment. The adrenal glands play an important role in the body, and they are located above the kidneys which secrete many hormones essential for the body's normal functions. People with adrenal insufficiency do not produce enough of two vital hormones, called cortisol and aldosterone. Cortisol's most important function is to help the body respond to stress, such as surgery and illness, and recover from infections. Therefore, treatment of adrenal insufficiency results focuses on replacing or substituting those hormones “cortisol and aldosterone”. Cortisol deficiency is treated with replacement oral glucocorticoid medication. Prednisone or hydrocortisone is used most commonly. Fludrocortisone

Please describe in detail the structures and features you observed on the adrenal gland slide

The adrenal medulla is stimulated by the sympathetic nervous system to release norepinephrane and epinephrine in response to stress.

The Adrenal Glands - The adrenal glands (also known as suprarenal glands) are endocrine glands that produce a variety of hormones including adrenaline and the steroids aldosterone and cortisol. They are found above the kidneys. Each gland has an outer cortex which produces steroid hormones and an inner medulla.

The adrenal gland is an organ involved in endocrine functions in the body. It is divided into adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla. The adrenal medulla is part of the sympathetic nervous system. The adrenal cortex is part of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal endocrine system. It consists of three layers which are:

     Corticosteroids are released by the adrenal gland. Corticosteroids help to regulate protein and carbohydrate metabolism. They also influence the body's mineral and water balance in both males and females.

One of the majors the adrenal gland is located above the kidneys. the adrenal insufficient is also known as primary or secondary. Primary adrenal insufficiency and hypocortisolism, is a long-term endocrine disorder and the adrenal gland cannot produce enough steroid hormones that your body needs. Secondary happens when the pituitary gland, a pea sized gland that is located on the base of the brain, it does produce enough adrenocorticotropin “ACTH” this is a hormone that stimulates that adrenal gland and it is the cause of a hormone cortisol, and the production levels will drop. the adrenal gland will eventually shrink due to not producing enough ACTH stimulation cortisol and if ACTH output is to low then the cortisol that is producing will drop. Eventually, the adrenal glands will shrink due to the lack of ACTH stimulation. Cortisol is a steroid that helps

The pituitary gland is found beneath the hypothalamus gland, attached to the underside of the brain. The pituitary gland has two parts: the anterior and the posterior glands. The anterior pituitary releases many hormones, two

The function of the endocrine system is to regulate body activities, similar to the nervous system in that they both regulate body activities. The difference is that the nervous system uses electrical messengers to send signals to the body, and the endocrine system uses chemical messengers “hormones” to make the changes to effect changes within the body. The endocrine system work together with the nervous system to help control body function and regulations, including metabolism, nutrition, elimination, temperature, fluid and electrolyte balance, growth, and reproduction. The endocrine system in our body consists of a number of glands which make, store, and release chemicals. There are a large number of endocrine glands in the human

This region produces hormones that control other structures in the endocrine system. The amount of these regulatory hormones remains almost the same, but the response from the endocrine organs can change as we get older. The pituitary gland is also located in the brain. This gland reaches its maximum size when people reach middle age and then gradually becomes smaller.

Adrenal glands, located near the kidneys, secrete several hormones that are activated by the nervous system. These hormones dictate the body’s reaction to stressful situations. Each person secretes a different amount of hormones, therefore affecting behavior in stressful situations differently (Morris & Maisto, 2005).