What is the role of the Endocrine system in the Body?

FUNCTIONS OF THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM: 

• ·         It regulates the water in the blood by controlling the solute concentration.
• ·         During delivery of the newborn the endocrine system regulates uterine contraction and it is the one that stimulates the release of milk from the breast of the mother.
• ·         The endocrine system regulates growth, metabolism, and tissue maturation. It also helps to regulate the temperature of the body and mental functions like maturation of behavior.
• ·         The endocrine system regulates sodium, potassium, and calcium concentrations in the blood.
• ·         The endocrine system assist in regulating   the heart rate and the blood pressure and it also helps prepare the body in a physically challenged task.
• ·          The endocrine system regulates the sugar levels and other nutrient levels in the blood.
• ·         The endocrine system regulates the formation and actions of immune cells.
• ·         The endocrine system controls reproductive functions of the reproductive system in males and females. 

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http://scienceblogs.com/clock/2006/06/bio101_lecture_6_physiology_re.php

Endocrine Glands

Endocrine glands also called as Ductless glands secrete hormones into the bloodstream these glands make up the Endocrine system. These are the following:

Pituitary Gland

This is the most important of all endocrine glands for this gland secretes 9 or more hormones that target other glands to stimulate these glands to release their hormones. It also directly controls the body functions, such as growth. The pituitary gland is being controlled by the hypothalamus.

Pineal gland

This is a tiny gland that secretes the hormone melatonin. Melatonin is what they call the body’s internal clock. This hormone is the reason of drowsiness at night because this hormone elevates during night and falling around midday. This is the work of the hypothalamus which relayed the variations in light levels to the pineal gland.

Thyroid gland

This gland secretes three hormones, the Thyroxine, Triiodothyronine, and Calcitonin.

Thyroxine andTriiodothyronine increases the entire body cells metabolic rate and the pace of cell division. Calcitonin in the other hand decreases calcium levels in the blood by inhibiting osteoclast which breaks down of the bone calcium.

Parathyroid glands

This gland is embedded in the posterior part of the thyroid gland . the four tiny parathyroid glands secretes the hormone  parathyroid hormone which is the opposite of the hormone calcitonin. Parathyroid hormone stimulates osteoclast to breakdown bones that increases the calcium levels in the blood.

Thymus gland

This glands produces hormones that helps to the normal development of T-Lymphocytes and the immune response. This gland is most active in children.

Other Organs have significant areas of endocrine tissue and are also considered as endocrine organs. These are the followings:

Pancreas

The pancreas has an endocrine portion which releases insulin and glucagon. Insulin and glucagon are the ones responsible of maintaining stable blood glucose levels.

Adrenal glands

This is the hats of the kidneys. The two adrenal glands are divided into two parts. The outer cortex which secretes steroid hormones the corticosteroids that controls metabolism and reduce stress and mineralocorticoids control level of potassium and sodium in the blood. The inner adrenal medulla secretes two hormones, the adrenaline and noradrenaline, which works swiftly to help the body deal with stress and produces the ‘fight and flight’ reaction.

Ovaries and testes

These two sex organs also secretes hormones; oestrogen and progesterone by the ovaries  and testosterone by the testes that equalized or control secondary sexual characteristics and stimulates sex-cell production.

 Source:

   Books:

• Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology 5th Edition by Seeley, Stephens, and Tate
• Guide to the human body by Richard Walker