The Endocrine System

The endocrine system is a bunch of glands controlled by the hypothalamus. A gland secretes chemical messengers called hormones. Hormones make changes to our body much like neurotransmitters, but they work a whole lot slower.

Located near the base of our the, the pituitary gland is the MOST important gland in the endocrine system. The hypothalamus sends messages to control the pituitary gland, but the pituitary gland sends out messages that controls most of the other glands. Think of the hypothalamus as me. My wife is the pituitary gland and my kids are all the other glands (adrenal glands, testicles and ovaries, etc…). Obviously I am the boss of my family (because I am the man!!!!!).

I make all the decisions, tell my wife what to do. She in turn tells the kids what to do.

So I, like the hypothalamus, really do control the family (glands) even though my wife (the pituitary gland) makes the day to day decisions (do you really believe this? Well, it is the story I am sticking to!!!).

Now the big things the pituitary gland does are:

helps regulate body growth. Most people with growth disorders have issues with the pituitary gland.
signals woman to lactate (produce breast milk) when it is time to feed their baby. Although their are some woman who just always produce milk.
helps control our body weight by regulating the thyroid.
sends signals to our adrenal glands when we need that extra boost (fight or fight response)
tells our ovaries and testicles to secrete sex hormones, but that should not matter until puberty or marriage!!!!!!!!!!

The other glands I would be aware of are:

The pineal gland that secretes melatonin, which regulates our awake/sleep cycle.

The gonads (just love that word).

Male testicles (located in the scrotum)secrete androgens (sex hormones like testosterone). These hormones regulate body changes associated with sexual development, including enlargement of the penis, the growth spurt that occurs during puberty, and the appearance of other male secondary sex characteristics such as deepening of the voice, growth of facial and pubic hair, and the increase in muscle growth and strength.
The female gonads, the ovaries, are located in the pelvis. They produce eggs and secrete the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen is involved in the development of female sexual features such as breast growth, the accumulation of body fat around the hips and thighs, and the growth spurt that occurs during puberty. Both estrogen and progesterone are also involved in pregnancy and the regulation of the menstrual cycle.