Services and Programs
Services and Programs
Pediatric Endocrinology
The Endocrine System
The endocrine system is an intricate collection of hormone-producing
glands scattered throughout the body. As an interrelated group,
these glands influence almost every cell, organ and function
of our bodies, helping to control mood, metabolism, growth,
tissue function and sexual development.
Some glands have both endocrine and non-endocrine regions. For
example, the pancreas secretes digestive enzymes as well as hormones.
Some organs (such as the stomach, intestines and heart) produce
hormones even though their primary function is not hormone secretion.
Major Glands of the Endocrine System and What They Do
| Location |
The top of each kidney. |
| Hormones produced |
Catecholamines (adrenaline or epinephrine);
mineralocorticoids (like aldosterone); glucocorticoids
(like cortisol); steroid
hormones (like androgen). |
| Function |
Help control metabolism, kidney function,
blood pressure, cardiovascular function, the body’s
response to stress, the immune system, and sexual development
and function.
Help balance the effects of insulin in breaking down sugar
for energy. |
| Location |
Female ovaries – on
each side of the uterus
Male testes – in the scrotum |
| Hormones produced |
Ovaries – Estrogen and
progesterone
Testes – Androgens (testosterone) |
| Function |
Regulate puberty and fertility.
Ovaries – Induce female sexual characteristics
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 regulating the
menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
Testes – Induce male sexual characteristics
such as maturation of the penis, deepening of the voice,
development of muscles,
increase in facial and body hair and the growth spurt
that occurs during puberty. They also regulate sex drive
and are involved in production of sperm cells.
|
Hypothalamus
| Location |
Lower central part of the brain. |
| Hormones produced |
Produces releasing
hormones for the pituitary gland. |
| Function |
Stimulates or suppresses the release of hormones
in the pituitary gland to control water balance, sleep,
temperature, appetite and blood pressure. Serves as
the primary link between the endocrine and nervous
systems.
|
| Location |
Behind the stomach. |
| Hormones produced |
Insulin, gastrin, glucagon, somatostatin.
|
| Function |
Regulates the level of sugar in the bloodstream
and keeps the muscles supplied with glucose.
|
| Location |
Above and below the thyroid. |
| Hormones produced |
Parathyroid hormone. |
| Function |
Regulate calcium
and phosphorous concentrations in the bloodstream. |
| Location |
Middle of the brain. |
| Hormones produced |
Melatonin. |
| Function |
Helps regulate the wake-sleep cycle. |
| Location |
Base of the brain under the hypothalamus. |
| Hormones produced |
Adrenocotropic hormone (ACTH), antidiuretic
hormone, corticotropin,
luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone
(FSH), human growth hormone (hGH),
oxytocin,
prolactin,
thyrotropin. |
| Function |
Controls the activity of many other
endocrine glands (thyroid, ovaries, adrenal). Helps
with functions such as the growth of long bones, muscles
and viscera; body water balance; utilization of nutrients
and minerals; sensitivity to pain. In females, it helps
to stimulates egg production, prepares the uterus
for pregnancy,
triggers contractions
that occur during labor, activates milk production
for breastfeeding.
In men, it helps to stimulates sperm production.
|
| Location |
Front portion of the lower neck. |
| Hormones produced |
Thyroxine, triiodothyronine, calcitonin |
| Function |
Helps to regulate metabolism (including
weight control and energy levels), the body's calcium
balance, muscle strength, emotions, the ability to tolerat
heat or cold and the development of the brain and nervous
system in
children. |
Thymus gland
| Location |
In the chest just under the
breastbone. |
| Hormones produced |
Thymosin |
| Function |
Development of the body’s immune
system. |
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