The endocrine system is essentially a vending machine in someone’s body. Depending on a person’s need, it releases certain hormones that travel to various parts of the body to regulate factors such as mood, growth, and reproduction. Similar to when a person selects the quantity of a snack in a vending machine, the endocrine system can also adjust hormone levels depending on other components existing within the blood. The endocrine system consists of many glands working together, including the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pineal body, and reproductive glands.
Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus is located in the brain. Its job is to maintain homeostasis by releasing hormones that further regulate the pituitary gland’s hormones. It helps control mood, sleep, hunger, body temperature, and heart rate.
Pituitary
It’s about the size of a pea and located at the base of the brain. It helps regulate growth, reproduction, and metabolism through hormones.
Thyroid & Parathyroid
Located in the neck, the thyroid is charged with maintaining metabolism while the parathyroid works to balance calcium levels in the body.
Adrenal
Located on the surface of each kidney, the adrenal glands secrete corticosteroid hormones and epinephrine. This helps regulate blood pressure and metabolism.
Pineal body
Located in the midsection of the brain, it produces the hormone melatonin, which is in charge of maintaining the body’s internal clock. It follows a 24-hour schedule, and production increases depending on decreasing light levels when it’s time to sleep.
Reproductive Glands
In women, there’s an ovary on each side of the uterus, and they produce estrogen and progesterone. In men, testes that hang from the body create estrogen and progesterone.
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