THE MAJOR ENDOCRINE ORGAN Posted on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 |

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