BIO 304 · Human Anatomy & Physiology
Major Endocrine Glands
Endocrine System · Module 9
A reference for the Major Endocrine Glands video. Learn the major glands by what they make and what each hormone does. The hypothalamus and pituitary sit at the top; everything else is regulated by them or by direct sensing.
How to use this sheet Toggle the toolbar above. Notes prints the full reference for review. Study prints as a fill-in-the-blank worksheet , print it, then write each definition while you watch the video or read your book. Quiz me is on-screen typing practice; type the term, click Reveal to check yourself.
- Distinguish the anterior pituitary from the posterior pituitary by what each releases.
- Match each major endocrine gland to its primary hormone(s) and target effect.
- Predict the effect of overproduction or underproduction for cortisol, thyroid hormone, and insulin.
Click any image to enlarge.
Hypothalamus, Pituitary, Pineal
Hypothalamus
- Releasing & inhibiting hormonestravel via portal system to anterior pituitary
- Direct productionADH and oxytocin (stored in posterior pituitary)
- Sensesosmolarity, temperature, hunger, hormone levels
Anterior pituitary (adenohypophysis)
- GH (growth hormone)whole-body growth; affects bone, muscle, metabolism
- TSHstimulates thyroid → T₃/T₄
- ACTHstimulates adrenal cortex → cortisol
- FSH & LHgonadotropins; gametogenesis and sex hormone production
- Prolactinmilk production
- MSHmelanocyte stimulation
Posterior pituitary (neurohypophysis)
- Not a gland, just storageaxons from hypothalamus end here
- ADH (vasopressin)kidney water reabsorption; vasoconstriction
- Oxytocinuterine contraction in labor; milk ejection
Pineal gland
- Melatonindarkness signal; circadian rhythm; sleep onset
Thyroid, Parathyroid, Adrenal, Pancreas, Gonads
Thyroid & parathyroid
- T₃ / T₄ (thyroid hormone)basal metabolic rate, growth, CNS development
- Calcitoninparafollicular C cells; lowers blood Ca²⁺ (minor role)
- PTH (parathyroid)raises blood Ca²⁺; activates osteoclasts, kidney reabsorption, vitamin D activation
Adrenal cortex (3 layers)
- Zona glomerulosaaldosterone — Na+ retention, K+ excretion
- Zona fasciculatacortisol — stress, gluconeogenesis, immune suppression
- Zona reticularisandrogens (DHEA, androstenedione)
Adrenal medulla
- Modified sympathetic ganglionchromaffin cells
- Epinephrine + norepinephrine~80%/20%; fight-or-flight; rapid
Pancreatic islets
- Alpha cells → glucagonraises blood glucose; mobilizes glycogen and gluconeogenesis
- Beta cells → insulinlowers blood glucose; uptake in muscle, liver, fat
- Delta cells → somatostatininhibits both alpha and beta
Gonads
- Testestestosterone; spermatogenesis
- Ovariesestrogen and progesterone; oogenesis; menstrual cycle
- Placenta (pregnancy)hCG, estrogen, progesterone
Other
- Thymusthymosin; T-cell maturation
- Kidneyerythropoietin (RBC production); renin (blood pressure)
- HeartANP (natriuretic peptide; sodium loss)
Step 3 . Retrieval check
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