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The Pituitary
Gland
The most important
gland in the body is the pituitary. At the brain’s base, the pituitary
carries signals of emotional disturbance from the nervous system to the
other endocrine glands, especially the thyroid, adrenals and gonads. The
pituitary affects sexual functions, growth, intelligence, ability to see,
and blood pressure...more>>
The Thyroid
Gland
The thyroid gland is the biggest gland in
the neck. It is situated in the anterior (front) neck below the skin and
muscle layers. The thyroid gland takes the shape of a butterfly with the
two wings being represented by the left and right thyroid lobes, which
wrap around the trachea...more>>
The
Parathyroid glands
Parathyroid glands are small glands of the
endocrine system which are located behind the thyroid. There are four
parathyroid glands which are normally about the size and shape of a grain
of rice. They are shown in this picture as the mustard yellow glands
behind the pink thyroid gland...more>>
The Adrenal
Glands
The adrenal glands are two small
glands responsible for secreting: epinephrine: (the “flight or
fight” hormone) to help the body deal with acute stress, cortisol:
to help the body deal with more prolonged stress. The adrenal glands
are located adjacent to the kidneys and are responsible for synthesis and
secretion of various hormones important for body function...more>>
The Pancreas
The pancreas is an
elongated, tapered organ located across the back of the abdomen, behind
the stomach. The right side of the organ (called the
head) is the widest part of the organ and lies in the curve of the
duodenum, the first division of the small intestine. The tapered left side
extends slightly upward (called the body of the pancreas) and ends near
the spleen (called the tail)...more>>
The Gonads
In women, the gonads are called ovaries.
They create the reproductive cells, called the ovum. They also secrete
sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone which control the
reproductive or menstrual cycle.
They control such
characteristics as breast development and menstruation. The diminishing
function of the ovaries, which comes in a woman’s middle age, is known as
menopause....more>> |
