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The endocrine system develops and impacts the human body via hormones.

By JoAnn Guidry

The Endocrine System Glands >>

Hypothalamus: Part of the lower middle brain, the hypothalamus releases hormones to signal the nearby pituitary gland when to secrete its hormones to the rest of the body.

T hink of hormones as our bodies’ signal callers, the quarterback of the team. Without hormones relaying the plays, our essential functions would, well, malfunction. These all-important chemical messengers are produced by our endocrine system, which is a network of glands in the body. This intricate system includes the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, pineal gland, thyroid, parathyroid, thymus, adrenal gland, pancreas, ovaries and testes. The hormones that the endocrine system regulates control such functions as our growth and development, reproductive processes, metabolism, sleep, mood and sex drive. In other words, hormones aff ect almost every organ and cell in the human body.

the human body. “When choosing a

Pineal: Found near the center of the brain, the pineal gland releases melatonin, the hormone that controls sleep patterns and the production of hormones related to the reproductive organs.

“When choosing a medical specialty, I settled on endocrinology for several reasons,” says Dr. Henry Anhalt, an endocrinologist and Endocrine Society spokesperson. “I found endocrinology to be fascinating. And the endocrine system is truly at the center of the body’s universe.”

A butterfl yshaped gland in the front of the neck, the thyroid hormones that control hormones also infl uence the way the body uses energy, consumes oxygen and A group of four small glands located behind the thyroid, the parathyroid works with the thyroid to control calcium and phosphorous levels vital to bone development. There are actually two adrenal glands, one each on top of both kidneys, which produce the steroid hormones cortisol, testosterone and aldosterone, as well as noradrenaline and adrenaline. Also known as the “fi ght-or-fl ight” gland, the adrenals control how we respond to stress. The adrenal glands also promote proper cardiovascular function and help control blood sugar levels during

Pituitary: Pea-sized and located at the base of the brain behind the sinuses, the pituitary gland is often referred to as the “master gland” because it greatly infl uences many other glands in the body, especially the thyroid. It produces peptide hormones that infl uence growth, lactation, healthy blood pressure, stress levels, thyroid hormones, estrogen, testosterone, egg and sperm production, as well as the body’s water balance.

Thymus: Situated in the upper chest, the thymus helps develop the body’s immune system early in life. It produces thymosins, hormones that control white blood T-cells, which our immune system utilizes to fi ght off infections. cells,

Pancreas: Located behind the stomach above the small intestine, the pancreas is surrounded by small, slightly granular endocrine cells, known as the islets of Langerhans. Islet cells secrete insulin and glucagon, both of which stimulate glucose (blood sugar) in the body.

Ovaries: Stimulated by hormones from the pituitary gland, the female ovaries produce estrogen and progesterone, which promote breast development and maintain a healthy menstrual cycle.

Testes: This pair of glands produces testosterone, which is responsible for penis growth, facial and body hair, a deepening male voice, muscle and bone mass, sperm production and sex drive.