An ALD test measures the amount of the hormone aldosterone your blood. Too much aldosterone can be an indicator of a variety of medical conditions. A new study looks at how chemicals can build up in the body through common exposures.
Some alternative medicine practitioners believe that decalcifying the pineal gland can help with certain medical conditions. Learn why this test may be necessary and the signs and…. For most women, chin hair and even a random neck hair is normal. Hair follicles respond in unique ways to changes in testosterone levels leading to…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Endocrine System Overview.
Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M. Function Organs Hormones Diagram Conditions The endocrine system is a network of glands and organs located throughout the body. Endocrine system function. Endocrine system organs. Endocrine system hormones. The thymus is located in the upper part of the chest and produces white blood cells that fight infections and destroy abnormal cells. Adrenal gland. An adrenal gland is located on top of each kidney.
Like many glands, the adrenal glands work hand-in-hand with the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. The adrenal glands make and release corticosteroid hormones and epinephrine that maintain blood pressure and regulate metabolism. The pancreas is located across the back of the abdomen, behind the stomach. The endocrine hormones help control mood, growth and development, the way our organs work, metabolism , and reproduction.
The endocrine system regulates how much of each hormone is released. This can depend on levels of hormones already in the blood, or on levels of other substances in the blood, like calcium. Many things affect hormone levels, such as stress, infection, and changes in the balance of fluid and minerals in blood. What Are the Parts of the Endocrine System?
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 The pancreas is part of the endocrine system and the digestive system. The pituitary gland makes many hormones, such as: growth hormone, which stimulates the growth of bone and other body tissues and plays a role in the body's handling of nutrients and minerals prolactin pronounced: pro-LAK-tin , which activates milk production in women who are breastfeeding thyrotropin pronounced: thy-ruh-TRO-pin , which stimulates the thyroid gland to make thyroid hormones corticotropin pronounced: kor-tih-ko-TRO-pin , which stimulates the adrenal gland to make certain hormones antidiuretic pronounced: an-ty-dy-uh-REH-tik hormone, which helps control body water balance through its effect on the kidneys oxytocin pronounced: ahk-see-TOE-sin , which triggers the contractions of the uterus that happen during labor The pituitary also secretes endorphins pronounced: en-DOR-fins , chemicals that act on the nervous system and reduce feelings of pain.
The adrenal glands have two parts, each of which makes a set of hormones and has a different function: The outer part is the adrenal cortex. It makes hormones called corticosteroids pronounced: kor-tih-ko-STER-oydz that help control salt and water balance in the body, the body's response to stress, metabolism, the immune system , and sexual development and function.
The inner part is the adrenal medulla pronounced: muh-DUH-luh. It makes catecholamines pronounced: kah-tuh-KO-luh-meenz , such as epinephrine pronounced: eh-puh-NEH-frun. Also called adrenaline, epinephrine increases blood pressure and heart rate when the body is under stress. To help keep your endocrine system healthy: Get plenty of exercise. Eat a nutritious diet. Go for regular medical checkups. Talk to the doctor before taking any supplements or herbal treatments.
Let the doctor know about any family history of endocrine problems, such as diabetes or thyroid problems. JavaScript appears to be disabled on this computer. Please click here to see any active alerts.
Endocrine systems, also referred to as hormone systems, are found in all mammals, birds, fish, and many other types of living organisms. They are made up of:. Hormones act as chemical messengers that are released into the blood stream to act on an organ in another part of the body.
Although hormones reach all parts of the body, only target cells with compatible receptors are equipped to respond. Over 50 hormones have been identified in humans and other vertebrates. Hormones control or regulate many biological processes and are often produced in exceptionally low amounts within the body. Examples of such processes include:. Much like a lock and key, many hormones act by binding to receptors that are produced within cells. When a hormone binds to a receptor, the receptor carries out the hormone's instructions, either by altering the cell's existing proteins or turning on genes that will build a new protein.
The hormone-receptor complex switches on or switches off specific biological processes in cells, tissues, and organs.
0コメント