Glands and Locations
This "Master Gland" is located in the sella turcica of the sphenoid bone within the diencephalon.
Pituitary Gland
This hormone decreases blood glucose levels by stimulating the liver, skeletal muscle, and fat cells to absorb glucose.
Insulin
This is the most common method of hormone regulation, where glands secrete hormones to move levels in the opposite direction to maintain homeostasis.
Negative Feedback Regulation
These "local hormones" act on nearby cells and are thought to increase pain sensitivity.
Prostaglandins
This endocrine pathology involves an enlargement of the thyroid gland, often visible as a swelling in the neck.
Goiter
These small glands, usually numbering four to five, are located on the posterolateral surfaces of the thyroid.
Parathyroid Glands
Often called the "cuddle hormone," it stimulates uterine contractions during labor and milk expression during lactation.
Oxytocin
This type of regulation allows for faster response times because hormones are released by nerve impulses.
Neural Regulation
These specific cells within the pancreatic islets are responsible for secreting glucagon.
Alpha Cells
This is the term for a specific autoimmune disease of the thyroid listed in the pathologies section.
Hashimoto Disease
This gland is located inferior to the larynx and anterolateral to the trachea.
Thyroid Gland
Secreted by the adrenal cortex, this glucocorticoid activates anti-stress and anti-inflammatory pathways.
Cortisol
This is the collective term for hormones that stimulate the hormonal activity of other endocrine glands.
Tropic Hormones
Produced by the kidneys, this hormone stimulates red blood cell production in bone marrow.
Erythropoietin (EPO)
While rare, this type of feedback system regulates hormones by moving levels in the same direction instead of the opposite.
Positive Feedback System
Located in the diencephalon, this structure secretes hormones that stimulate or inhibit the anterior pituitary.
Hypothalamus
This hormone increases blood calcium levels by stimulating osteoclastic activity.
Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)
This system transports hypothalamic hormones to the anterior pituitary without them traveling through systemic circulation.
Hypophyseal Portal System
Produced by adipocytes, this hormone plays a role in metabolism by inhibiting hunger.
Leptin
This mechanism involves the release of hormones by one gland to regulate the hormones released by another gland.
Hormonal regulation
These specific endocrine cells are scattered between the testicular tubules.
Interstitial cells of Leydig
This pineal gland hormone helps maintain the body's 24-hour circadian rhythms.
Melatonin
These are cells that possess the specific receptors required to respond to a corresponding hormone.
Target Cells
This hormone is produced by the heart in response to overstretching and stimulates urine production to decrease blood pressure.
Atrial Natriuretic Hormone (ANH)
This specific hormone, released by the anterior pituitary, serves as a primary example of hormonal regulation by stimulating the thyroid gland to secrete thyroxine.
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)