The following are integral parts of the endocrine system:

• Hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is located at the base of the brain, near the optic chiasm where the optic nerves behind each eye cross and meet.
• Pineal body.
• Pituitary.
• Thyroid and parathyroid.
• Thymus.
• Adrenal gland.
• Pancreas.
• Ovary.

Anterior pituitary

• Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)
• Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
• Luteinising hormone (LH)
• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
• Prolactin (PRL)
• Growth hormone (GH)
• Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)

Endocrine system organs

• Hypothalamus. While some people don’t consider it a gland, the hypothalamus produces multiple hormones that control the pituitary gland.
• Pituitary. The pituitary gland is located below the hypothalamus.
• Pineal.
• Thyroid.
• Parathyroid.
• Thymus.
• Adrenal.
• Pancreas.

The glands of the endocrine system are:

• Hypothalamus.
• Pineal Gland.
• Pituitary Gland.
• Thyroid.
• Parathyroid.
• Thymus.
• Adrenal.
• Pancreas.

While many parts of the body make hormones, the major glands that make up the endocrine system are the:

• hypothalamus.
• pituitary.
• thyroid.
• parathyroids.
• adrenals.
• pineal body.
• the ovaries.
• the testes.

Endocrine glands secrete hormones straight into the bloodstream. Hormones help to control many body functions, such as growth, repair and reproduction. The endocrine system involves many organ systems and hormones, many of which are still being investigated and understood.

An organ that makes hormones that are released directly into the blood and travel to tissues and organs all over the body. Endocrine glands help control many body functions, including growth and development, metabolism, and fertility. Some examples of endocrine glands are the pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal glands.

There are four hormones secreted by the anterior pituitary gland that control the functions of other endocrine glands. These hormones include thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormones (LH).

The pancreas is a large gland that lies alongside the stomach and the small bowel. It is about six inches (approximately 15 cm) long and is divided into the head, body and tail.

Hormones and the Endocrine System

Hormones are secreted from the endocrine glands in the body. The glands are ductless, so hormones are secreted directly into the blood stream rather than by way of ducts. Some of the major endocrine glands in the body include: Pituitary gland.

There are three basic types of hormones: lipid-derived, amino acid-derived, and peptide. Lipid-derived hormones are structurally similar to cholesterol and include steroid hormones such as estradiol and testosterone.

The Thyroid itself secretes three main hormones: Thyroxine contains iodine which is essential for the body’s normal growth, and metabolism. Triiodothyronine has similar functions to thyroxine. Calcitonin causes a decrease in the concentration of calcium in the blood.

The endocrine system is made up of glands that produce and secrete hormones , chemical substances produced in the body that regulate the activity of cells or organs. These hormones regulate the body’s growth, metabolism (the physical and chemical processes of the body), and sexual development and function.

The Anterior Lobe of the pituitary plays the ‘master’ role secreting six major hormones that affect most of the body, including the other Endocrine glands: ACTH (Adrenocorticotrophic hormone) stimulates the adrenal glands to secrete its hormones. hGH (Human growth hormone) also known as somatotrophic hormone is responsible for the growth of long bones, muscles and viscera. TSH (Thyroid stimulating hormone) influences the structure of the thyroid and causes it to secrete thyroid hormone.

The pituitary gland is known as the ‘master’ endocrine gland. The hypothalamus controls the production of hormones in both lobes. The pituitary gland produces many important hormones, some of which act on other glands to make them produce hormones.