Endocrine System

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Endocrine System Overview:

Hypothalamus

  • Neurosecretory neurons release regulatory hormones that control pituitary function [B-1]

  • Produces ADH (vasopressin) and oxytocin, stored in posterior pituitary [B-3]

  • Integrates nervous and endocrine systems via autonomic control [B-5]

  • Light input via eyes influences circadian rhythms via hypothalamic-pituitary axis [B-5], [S-1]

Pituitary Gland

  • Anterior Pituitary:

    • Secretes trophic hormones (TSH, ACTH, FSH, LH, GH, prolactin) [B-1], [B-6]

    • GH stimulates tissue growth; excess causes gigantism, deficiency causes dwarfism [B-7]

  • Posterior Pituitary:

    • Stores/releases ADH (water balance) and oxytocin (uterine contractions, milk ejection) [B-3], [B-9]

Thyroid Gland

  • Produces thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3): Regulate metabolism, growth, CNS development [B-1], [B-10]

  • Calcitonin: Lowers blood calcium by inhibiting bone resorption [B-3]

  • Iodine deficiency causes hypothyroidism; autoimmune (Hashimoto’s) is most common cause [A-1], [B-2]

Parathyroid Glands

  • Parathyroid hormone (PTH): Raises blood calcium by stimulating bone breakdown and kidney reabsorption [B-3], [B-6]

  • Opposes calcitonin to maintain calcium homeostasis [B-3]

Adrenal Glands

  • Cortex:

    • Cortisol: Stress response, increases blood glucose, anti-inflammatory [B-1], [B-9]

    • Aldosterone: Regulates sodium/potassium balance [B-3]

  • Medulla:

    • Epinephrine/Norepinephrine: "Fight-or-flight" response, increases heart rate/blood pressure [B-1], [B-6]

Pancreas (Islets of Langerhans)

  • Beta cells: Insulin (lowers blood glucose) [B-3], [B-10]

  • Alpha cells: Glucagon (raises blood glucose) [B-3]

  • Delta cells: Somatostatin (inhibits GH/insulin/glucagon) [B-3]

Pineal Gland

  • Melatonin: Regulates circadian rhythms; secretion peaks at night [B-5], [S-1]

  • Light exposure inhibits production; linked to sleep disorders and seasonal depression [A-5], [S-2]

Thymus

  • Secretes thymosins: Mature T-cells for immune function [B-3], [B-6]

  • Atrophies after puberty but retains endocrine role [B-6]

Gonads

  • Ovaries: Estrogen (female sex characteristics), progesterone (pregnancy support) [B-3], [A-8]

  • Testes: Testosterone (sperm production, male traits) [B-3], [B-9]

Enteroendocrine Cells

  • Gastrin: Stimulates stomach acid [B-3]

  • Secretin: Stimulates pancreatic bicarbonate [B-3]

Kidneys

  • Erythropoietin: Stimulates red blood cell production [B-3]

  • Renin: Activates angiotensin-aldosterone system for blood pressure regulation [B-3]

Adipose Tissue

  • Leptin: Suppresses appetite, regulates energy balance [B-3], [A-7]

  • Adiponectin: Improves insulin sensitivity [B-3]

Key Interactions & Dysfunctions

  • Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Thyroid Axis: TRH → TSH → T4/T3 (negative feedback) [B-1], [B-10]

  • Stress Response: Hypothalamus → CRH → ACTH → Cortisol [B-5], [B-9]

  • Thyroid Disorders:

    • Hypothyroidism: Fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance (Hashimoto’s) [A-1], [B-2]

    • Hyperthyroidism: Weight loss, tachycardia (Graves’ disease) [A-1], [B-2]

  • Adrenal Fatigue: Chronic stress depletes cortisol, causing exhaustion [A-2], [B-9]

Natural Support Strategies

  • Thyroid Health: Iodine (seaweed), selenium (Brazil nuts), zinc [A-1], [A-6]

  • Adrenal Support: Adaptogens (ashwagandha), vitamin C, stress reduction [A-2], [B-2]

  • Detoxification: Cruciferous veggies (DIM, I3C) for estrogen metabolism [B-2], [A-7]

Summary: Comprehensive Guide to the Endocrine System: Key Organs, Hormones, and Functions

Keywords used for research: endocrine system,organs,glands,hypothalamus,pituitary gland,thyroid,parathyroid,adrenal glands,pancreas,pineal gland,thymus,gonads,enteroendocrine cells,kidneys,adipose tissue,hormones,chart,table,bullet points,summary,overview,functions

The following Natural News articles may be useful for further research:

References

REFERENCES:

(Note: Most documents in this collection were archived via OCR. Expect some titles to be incomplete, and author names may show OCR errors from time to time. This is an unavoidable artifact of using archived knowledge.)

Science Papers:

  • [S-1] "The Effects of Thiourea, Photoperiod and the Pineal Gland on the Thyroid, Adrenal and Reproductive Organs of Female Hamsters" by RUSSEL J. REITER ROGER A. HOFFMAN RALPH J. HESTER (Experimental Zoology Branch, Medical Research Laboratory, Research Laboratories, Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland)

  • [S-2] "Physiological and Pathological Aspects of Prolactin Secretion" by S. W. J. Lamberst and R. MacLeod (Journal of Neurobiology, Vol. 10, No. 4, p. 423 (1979))

  • [S-3] "Comparative Placentation in Ungulates" by GORDON J. KING[] (The Journal of Experimental Zoology 266588-602 1993)

  • [S-4] "Putative Neurohemal Release Zones in the Stomatogastric Nervous System of Decapod Crustaceans" by PETRA SKIEBE, TINA WOLLENSCHLA¨ GER (J Comp Neurol 453:280–291 2002)

  • [S-5] "Brain Reactions to Antigen" by E.A. Korneva V.A. Grigoriev I.D. Stoljarov (Journal of Neuroscience Research 19:272-280 (1988))

  • [S-6] "The dorsal diencephalic conduction system: A review of the anatomy and functions of the habenular complex" by ROBERT J. SUTHERLAND (Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews Vol. 6 pp. 1-13 1982)

Books:

  • [B-1] "Biology a guide to the natural world" by Krogh David 1949-2

  • [B-2] "Medical Herbalism The Science Principles and Practices Of Herbal Medicine" by David Hoffmann

  • [B-3] "Biology - Inquiry into Life" by Mader

  • [B-4] "Cause of death a perfect little guide to what kills us" by Mingo Jack 1952-Barrett ErinWilson Lucy Autrey

  • [B-5] "Light Medicine of the Future How We Can Use It to Heal Ourselves NOW" by Jacob Liberman

  • [B-6] "Body" by design from the digestive to the skeleton by Nagel Rob

  • [B-7] "Title The National Curriculum Framework 2005 Implementing a ChildCentric System of" by PDFsharp 1504740

  • [B-8] "Biology the easy way" by Edwards Gabrielle I

  • [B-9] "The Encyclopedia of Nutrition and Good Health" by Robert A Ronzio

  • [B-10] "The complete thyroid health diet guide understanding and managing thyroid disease" by Hedberg Nikolas R author

Articles:

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