OUTLINE OF ENDOCRINE GLANDS Posted on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 | 1 comments

(where they are found in the body and the hormones they produce)

----This is the topic assigned to me in our second blog assignment. I’m really not a blogger, I don’t have a very imaginative mind and I’m not good in composing grammar-free sentences, but I’m trying to give my all in every post I make. Surely, it would take time to be a very fantastic writer/blogger, but I believe that there are always rooms for improvement if one person is willing to learn. (And I am very willing!)

Before I discuss the location of the glands in our body, let us first take a look at the list of the Major Endocrine Glands...

THE MAJOR ENDOCRINE ORGANS

•Hypothalamus

•Pituitary gland

•Thyroid gland

•Parathyroid gland

•Pancreas

•Adrenal gland

•Pineal gland

•Testes

•Ovary

Not exclusively classified as endocrine gland but contains cells that secrete hormones.

•Gastrointestinal tract

•Placenta

•Kidneys

•Heart

•Adipose tissue

please do read my other posts regarding this topic. =)

LOCATION OF ENDOCRINE GLANDS Posted on | 0 comments

Moving on, I have found some images in the web that summarized the location of the glands in the body. And I believe it would be better if I will be using images to discuss this topic since it would be somehow difficult to just talk about it all throughout.

http://www.anselm.edu/homepage/jpitocch/genbio/endocrineglands.JPG

http://www.hormone.org/endo101/gland_diagram.cfm

THE MAJOR ENDOCRINE ORGAN Posted on | 0 comments

THE MAJOR ENDOCRINE ORGANS

Hypothalamus
•Small region of the brain below the thalamus
•Hormones it produce: Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), Gonadotropin-releasing hormonr (GnRH), Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)

Pituitary Gland
•Pituary gland lies in the hypophyseal fossa of the sella turcica of the sphenoid bone.

It is attached to the hypothalamus by a stalk called “infundibulum” and has 2 anatomically and functionally separate lobes. The anterior and posterior pituitary glands.

•Hormones produced by ANTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND: TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), GH (Growth hormone, LH (leutinizing hormone), ACTH (Adenocorticotropic hormone), PRL (Prolactin), Melanocyte stimulating hormone
•Hormones produced by POSTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND: Oxytocin, ADH (antidiuretic hormone)

Thyroid Gland
•Located inferior to the larynx.
•Hormones produced by the Thyroid Gland: thyroxin (T4) and triiodothronine (T3)

Parathyroid Gland
•Several small, round masses of tissue partially embedded in the posterior surface of the lateral lobes of the thyroid gland.
•Hormones produced by the Parathyroid Gland: Parathyroid hormone (PTH)

Pancreas
•Lies posterior to the stomach
•Hormones produced by Pancreas: Glucagon, Insulin, Somatostatin

Adrenal Gland
•Lies superior to each kidney
•Hormones produced by the Adrenal Gland: Steroid hormones (mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, and sex hormones)

Pineal Gland
•Attached to the roof of the third ventricle of the brain at the midline
•Hormones produced by Pineal gland: Melatonin

Testes
•Lies posterior portion of the abdomen
•Hormones produced by Testes: Testosterone

Ovary
•Either side of the uterus
•Hormones produced by Estrogen, Progesterone

Reference: Principles of Anatomy and Physiology by Gerald Tortora

THE NON ENDOCRINE ORGANS Posted on | 0 comments

The following are not exclusively classified as endocrine gland but contains cells that secrete hormones.

Gastrointestinal Tract
• Continuous tube extending from mouth to anus.
• Hormones produced: Gastrin, Glucose dependent insulinotropic peptide(GIP), Secretin, Cholecystokinin (CCK)

Placenta
• This is a special structure where the exchange of materials between the fetus and the mother happen.
• Hormones produced: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), Estrogen and Progesterone, Human chorionic somatomammotropin (hCS)

Kidneys
• Located in the lumbar region.
• Hormones produced: Renin, Erythropoietin (EPO), Calcitriol (active form of Vitamin D)

Heart
• Lies slightly to the left of the midline of the chest
• Hormones produced: Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANF)

Adipose Tissue
• Hormone produced: Leptin

ENDOCRINOLOGY Posted on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 | 2 comments

Endocrinology is a branch of medicine that deals with the study of hormones, a specific secretion of the endocrine system and tissues. This field of medicine also studies the receptors, intracellular pathway and diseases associated with hormones. Examples of the main endocrine glands include pineal gland, pituitary gland, thyroid gland, thymus, adrenal gland, pancreas, ovary, and testes. In short, endocrinology deals with everything that has to do with hormones.

TOXICOLOGY Posted on | 0 comments

Toxicology is a branch of medicine that deals with the study of poison, its typical characteristics, adverse effects and conditions they can cause to the body, ways on how to detect its presence, and treatment of poisoning. Examples of this poison include Lead and Cadmium. In short, toxicology is the science of poisons since it deals with everything that has to do with poisons.



----This is an important field of medicine which will be covered in Clinical Chemistry 3. As we all know, poisons are hazardous especially if not enough education is given to those who are exposed or handling these chemicals or poison, that is why studying toxicology will surely widened our knowledge about their potential risks and harmful effects, and will let us practice at all times the safety precautions in the laboratory.

DRUG TESTING Posted on | 0 comments

Drug test or “drug screen” is a procedure done to examine biologic materials such as urine, hair, saliva or sweat. These specimens are used to detect the presence of illegal drugs or determine prior use of drugs as such marijuana, cocaine, opiates, methamphetamine, amphetamines, etc. Drug testing is usually requested by almost all companies, schools, establishments and employers since this is a good indication to assure that a person is free from any illegal drugs.



-----Being knowledgeable about drug testing may help not only us but other people that we may educate such as our family and friends to avoid using illegal drugs. Drug testing is important because this is a reflection of a person and its identity.