Article by Dr Manasa S, B.A.M.S
AIAPGET Factors
- The endocrine system is a diffuse chemical signalling community and never restricted to classical ductless glands.
- Hormones can act by endocrine, paracrine, autocrine, juxtacrine, and intracrine mechanisms.
- Many hormones exert their results domestically and by no means enter systemic circulation.
- Hormones operate as info alerts and never as energy-providing substances.
- Most hormones act as first messengers and activate intracellular second messenger programs corresponding to cAMP, IP₃, DAG, and calcium.
- The endocrine system capabilities in shut integration with the nervous and immune programs, forming a neuro-endocrino-immune axis.
- Cytokines can act as hormone-like signalling molecules and affect endocrine regulation.
- Endocrine problems can happen even when circulating hormone ranges are regular resulting from receptor or post-receptor defects.
- Lack of hormone receptor sensitivity is termed endocrine resistance.
- Hormone secretion follows organic rhythms corresponding to circadian, ultradian, and infradian patterns.
- Lack of pulsatile hormone secretion is pathological even when hormone ranges are inside regular vary.
- Hormones affect gene expression by epigenetic mechanisms with out altering DNA sequence.
- Endocrine results could be trans-generational resulting from epigenetic modulation.
- Endocrine-disrupting chemical compounds can intrude with hormone synthesis, transport, receptor binding, or metabolism.
- Low-dose publicity to endocrine-disrupting chemical compounds can produce vital organic results.
- Adipose tissue capabilities as an lively endocrine organ and secretes hormones like leptin and adiponectin.
- The gastrointestinal tract capabilities as an endocrine organ by secreting hormones corresponding to gastrin and ghrelin.
- Bone tissue participates in endocrine signaling and metabolic regulation.
- Solely the free fraction of a hormone is biologically lively in goal tissues.
- Alterations in hormone-binding proteins can produce endocrine signs regardless of regular whole hormone ranges.
- Hormonal regulation happens by hierarchical endocrine axes involving the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.
- Adverse suggestions is the first mechanism regulating endocrine hormone secretion.
- Endocrine ailments consequence from hormone extra, deficiency, resistance, or irregular suggestions management.
- Fashionable endocrinology views hormonal problems as network-based dysregulation fairly than single-gland ailments.
- The endocrine system displays plasticity and adapts to emphasize, diet, setting, and ageing.
- Adaptive endocrine modifications can turn into pathological when stressors are extended.
- The endocrine system performs a central function in sustaining homeostasis.
- Hormonal imbalance impacts metabolism, progress, replica, temper, and thermoregulation.
- Endocrine problems usually current with multisystem involvement.
- Prevention of endocrine problems consists of way of life regulation and minimizing publicity to endocrine disruptors.
Endocrine System: 10 Should-Know Factors (Fast Learn)
– The endocrine system is a community of ductless glands that regulate physique capabilities by releasing hormones instantly into the bloodstream.
– Hormones are chemical messengers that act in minute portions however produce highly effective and long-lasting results on the right track organs.
– Not like the nervous system (quick and short-lived), endocrine actions are slower however sustained, sustaining long-term homeostasis.
– Main endocrine glands embrace hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal glands, endocrine pancreas, and gonads.
– The hypothalamus–pituitary axis types the central regulatory hyperlink between the nervous system and endocrine system.
– Adverse suggestions mechanism is the principal mode of hormonal regulation, making certain steady inside steadiness (euglycemia, normothermia, and many others.).
– A number of organs and tissues additionally act as endocrine organs, together with pancreas, adipose tissue, kidneys, liver, coronary heart, gastrointestinal tract, and placenta.
– The endocrine system controls metabolism, progress, replica, stress response, sleep–wake cycle, temper, and electrolyte steadiness.
– Hormonal imbalance (extra or deficiency) is the most typical explanation for endocrine problems, corresponding to diabetes, thyroid ailments, PCOS, and osteoporosis.
– Endocrine axes (HPT, HPA, HPG) combine hormonal secretion and suggestions, forming a core idea repeatedly examined in entrance examinations.
Introduction
The endocrine system is a fancy community of glands, organs, and tissues distributed all through the physique that regulate and coordinate important physiological capabilities by chemical messengers referred to as hormones.
Just like the nervous system, the endocrine system performs a vital function in sustaining inside steadiness and regulating bodily actions. Nonetheless, in contrast to the nervous system—which makes use of nerve impulses and neurotransmitters for fast, short-term actions—the endocrine system depends on hormones launched into the bloodstream, producing slower however long-lasting results.
The endocrine system is answerable for creating, storing, and releasing hormones that affect virtually each organ system. Correct hormonal steadiness is important for progress, metabolism, replica, adaptation to emphasize, and general homeostasis. Issues of the endocrine system often come up from hormonal extra, deficiency, or target-tissue resistance.
What Is the Endocrine System?
The endocrine system consists of tissues—primarily glands—that synthesize and launch hormones instantly into the bloodstream.
What Is a Gland?
A gland is an organ that produces and secretes substances important for regular bodily operate. There are two primary sorts:
– Endocrine glands:
Ductless glands that launch hormones instantly into the bloodstream.
– Exocrine glands:
Glands that launch substances by ducts (e.g., sweat glands, salivary glands). These should not a part of the endocrine system.
Hormones act as chemical messengers, carrying alerts by way of the blood to focus on organs, tissues, and cells, instructing them what to do and when to do it. Even very small quantities of hormones can produce vital physiological results.
Capabilities of the Endocrine System
The first operate of the endocrine system is to keep up inside homeostasis by releasing hormones in exact quantities and timing.
Hormones affect almost each facet of human physiology, together with:
– Metabolism
– Development and improvement
– Regulation of blood sugar and blood strain
– Fluid and electrolyte steadiness
– Copy and sexual operate
– Sleep–wake cycle
– Temper and behavior
– Coronary heart fee
– Physique temperature
Any imbalance—extra or deficiency—can result in medical illness and noticeable signs.
Anatomy of the Endocrine System
The endocrine system consists of three classes of hormone-secreting buildings:
- Endocrine Glands
These glands completely produce hormones and launch them instantly into circulation.
Pineal gland
A small gland situated deep within the mind, beneath the corpus callosum. It secretes melatonin, which regulates circadian rhythm and sleep.
Pituitary gland
A pea-sized gland on the base of the mind, beneath the hypothalamus. Typically referred to as the grasp gland, it secretes a number of hormones that regulate different endocrine glands.
Thyroid gland
A butterfly-shaped gland within the anterior neck. It produces thyroid hormones that regulate metabolism and vitality expenditure.
Parathyroid glands
Often 4 small glands situated behind the thyroid. They secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH), which regulates calcium and phosphate steadiness.
Adrenal glands
Paired triangular glands on prime of the kidneys. They produce hormones concerned in stress response, metabolism, blood strain, and electrolyte steadiness.
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Endocrine System Organs
Some organs carry out a number of capabilities but in addition launch essential hormones.
Hypothalamus
A key hyperlink between the nervous and endocrine programs. It controls the pituitary gland and produces releasing and inhibiting hormones. It additionally synthesizes oxytocin and vasopressin.
Pancreas
A dual-function organ (endocrine and exocrine). Its endocrine half secretes insulin and glucagon, important for blood glucose regulation.
Adipose tissue
Releases hormones corresponding to leptin, adiponectin, and angiotensin, influencing urge for food, metabolism, and vascular operate.
Gonads
– Ovaries: Produce oestrogen, progesterone, and ova.
– Testes: Produce testosterone and sperm.
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Different Hormone-Releasing Tissues
Although not classically endocrine, these tissues produce essential hormones:
– Digestive tract (gastrin, ghrelin)
– Kidneys (erythropoietin, renin)
– Liver (IGF-1, angiotensinogen)
– Coronary heart (ANP, BNP)
– Placenta (pregnancy-related hormones)
Endocrine Axes (Excessive-Yield Idea)
Hormonal regulation generally happens by endocrine axes, involving hierarchical management between glands.
Main Endocrine Axes
– Hypothalamo–Pituitary–Thyroid (HPT) Axis
Regulates thyroid hormone secretion and metabolism.
– Hypothalamo–Pituitary–Adrenal (HPA) Axis
Controls cortisol secretion and stress response.
– Hypothalamo–Pituitary–Gonadal (HPG) Axis
Regulates reproductive hormones and sexual operate.
These axes guarantee exact management of hormone manufacturing and coordination between the nervous and endocrine programs.
Suggestions Mechanisms
Hormone secretion is primarily regulated by suggestions mechanisms, particularly destructive suggestions.
– In destructive suggestions, elevated ranges of a hormone suppress additional launch of upstream hormones.
– This mechanism maintains hormonal steadiness and prevents extra secretion.
Endocrine System Issues
Endocrine ailments consequence from
– Hormonal extra
– Hormonal deficiency
– Hormone resistance
– Tumours affecting endocrine tissues
Widespread Endocrine Issues
Metabolic situations
– Sort 1 diabetes
– Sort 2 diabetes
– Gestational diabetes
– Weight problems
– Metabolic syndrome
Endocrine tumours
– Pituitary tumours
– Thyroid most cancers
– Adrenal tumours
– Neuroendocrine tumours
Reproductive and progress problems
– PCOS
– Hypogonadism
– Amenorrhea
– Infertility
– Acromegaly and gigantism
Calcium and bone problems
– Osteoporosis
– Hypocalcaemia
– Hypercalcemia
– Vitamin D deficiency
Medical Care and Prevention
Endocrine problems are managed by endocrinologists, with paediatric endocrinologists specializing in childhood situations.
Sustaining endocrine well being consists of:
– Wholesome physique weight
– Common bodily exercise
– Balanced diet
– Enough sleep
– Avoiding smoking and extreme alcohol
Publicity to endocrine-disrupting chemical compounds (present in plastics, cosmetics, pesticides) needs to be minimized.
Conclusion
The endocrine system is a finely regulated community important for survival, adaptation, and long-term physiological steadiness.
For Additional Studying
Straightforward Ayurveda Article –
How Endocrine System And Hormones Are Ruled By Tridosha?
Endocrine System: What It Is, Perform, Organs & Illnesses
Endocrine System- Definition, Glands, Hormones, Capabilities, Issues
Endocrine System: What Is It, Capabilities, Organs & Circumstances
