The endocrine glands secrete hormones that are distributed throughout the body by the bloodstream. What is their role and how does it work?

The hormonal system is made up of a group of glands and organs that adjust and control different body functions through the production and secretion of hormones. Hormones are chemicals that affect the activity of another part of the body.

An endocrine gland is an internal gland which secretes hormones which will be released directly into the bloodstream, while exocrine gland secretes hormones in a duct, i.e. the hormonal content is poured into the interstitial spaces before to join the circulatory system.

These hormones then exert their specific action on target organs. Once the target is hit, the hormones attach to a receptor and communicate a message that encourages the target organ to take a specific action.

The organs constituting the endocrine system are located in a wide variety of places in the body:

• the pituitary gland is in the cranial box;
• thyroid in the neck;
• the thymus in the thorax;
• the adrenal glands and the pancreas in the abdomen;
• the ovaries and testes in the pelvis.

The hormones released regulate strong emotions, such as sex drive, violence, anger, fear, joy and grief.

In order to check endocrine functions, the secretion of each hormone must be skillfully adjusted. The body is able to perceive the necessary amount of each hormone at all times. The endocrine glands are under the control of the hypothalamic-pituitary system, located at the base of the brain.

L’the hypothalamus

Located in the middle of the brain, it is part of the central nervous system and contributes to the regulation of the main functions of the organism, hunger, thirst, sleep, thermoregulation. It is the link between the autonomic nervous system and the endocrine system. The hypothalamus secretes hormones which control all the secretions of the pituitary gland.

The pituitary gland (or pituitary gland)

Small gland, located at the base of the brain, is under the control of the hypothalamus to which it is connected. The pituitary gland produces several hormones, which conserve water in the body, stimulate contractions of the uterus during childbirth, and then stimulate lactation. One of the most important hormones in the brain is growth hormone (GH). Another stimulates the secretion of thyroid hormones …

The pancreas

Located in the abdomen, the second largest organ that produces insulin and the hormone glucagon which work in complementarity.

The thyroid gland

Located in the neck, they manufacture the hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) which are crucial because they act on all the cells of the body. They play a role in nutrient metabolism, bone tissue growth and development, and partially regulate heart rate.

Small parathyroid glands

These are located at the back of the thyroid gland, regulate the level of calcium and phosphorus in the blood. They are vital, without their presence, it is death by respiratory arrest.

le Jackson

It is located in the thorax, and essentially plays a role in the maturation of lymphocytes. The lymph carries white blood cells to this organ, where they multiply and turn into T lymphocytes responsible for fighting infection.

The adrenal glands

These glands are placed on the kidneys. They secrete hormones that help fight stress, participate in the production of energy, which regulates the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. Another hormone controls the fluid and electrolyte balance. This balance is very important for the contractility of the muscles.

Endocrine diseases (or hormonal diseases) are caused by dysfunction of the glands releasing hormones or by over or under stimulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Symptoms can vary:

• tired ;
• constipation;
• sexual disorders;
• anxiety.

Endocrine disorders involve either:

• too much hormonal secretion (“hyperfunction”);
• too little hormonal secretion (“hypofunction”).

Examples of endocrine disorders include:

• hyperthyroidism;
• hypothyroidism ;
• maladie de Cushing;
• Addison’s disease;
• acromegaly;
• small size in children.
• diabetes;
• puberty and reproductive function disorders.

Endocrine disorders are often treated by changing a hormone that is no longer working or by lowering excessive levels of a hormone. The cause of the disorder can also be treated. A tumor involving an endocrine gland can be removed.

Usually hormone levels in the blood are measured to see if the endocrine glands are working properly. It can happen that blood levels alone do not provide enough information about the function of the endocrine gland, in these conditions doctors measure hormone levels:

• at certain times of the day, several times, or at different times of the day (such as cortisol);
• after giving a stimulus or suppressor (such as a sugary drink, medication or hormone that can trigger or block the secretion of the hormone);
• after asking the person to take a specific action (such as fasting).