Continued from…
Part I – Circulatory system
Part II – Respiratory system
Part III – Urinary system
Part IV – Digestive system
Part V – Nervous system
Part VI – Immune system
Exploring the Human body – The Endocrine system
Your endocrine system is made up of all the glands in your body that secrete hormones, the chemical messengers that influence all the other systems in your body.
The endocrine glands include the hypothalamus (1), pituitary gland (2), thyroid gland (3), parathyroids (3), adrenals (4), pineal body (5), and the reproductive glands (6). These glands control functions such as growth, energy level, mood, and reproduction.
Endocrine System Conditions
Endocrine system problems usually occur when one of the glands produces too much or too little of its hormone. For example, if the pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone it can result in gigantism, but if it produces too little, dwarfism may be the result.
An overproductive thyroid can lead to weight loss and nervousness, while an underproductive thyroid can cause weight gain and fatigue.
Too much adrenal gland hormone can cause bruising and muscle weakness; too little can cause abdominal pain and fatigue.
