In the human body there is a whole system of glands, the work of which is responsible for ensuring the normal functioning of all internal organs. In medicine, this concept is called the "endocrine system". We often hear about it, but most of us have little to no idea about the vital properties of the endocrine glands.
Endocrine cells are present throughout the body. They are regulators of hormone production. A certain part of the cells of the endocrine system is involved in the formation of the glandular apparatus. The internal secretion of the glands ensures the production and delivery of hormones directly to the cells of organs and the circulatory system.
Varieties of glands
The human body is unique. Each organ performs a specific function: the stomach digests food, the lungs enrich the body with oxygen, etc. What is iron, many people cannot explain. This is an organ that produces active substances that differ in their chemical composition.
In the human bodythere are two systems of glands:
- Endocrine consists of endocrine glands.
- Exocrine - from the glands of external secretion.
Functions
The endocrine system is a complex self-regulating mechanism. What is its peculiarity and what functions does it perform, let's try to figure it out.
- Internal secretion regulates the functioning of organs and systems.
- Psycho-emotional state depends on the endocrine system.
- Reproductive functions are directly dependent on hormonal levels.
- The endocrine glands are actively involved in various reactions, synthesizing certain substances.
- The development and growth of a person depends on the hormonal state.
- Thanks to the endocrine system, the stability of vital processes is ensured, immunity is developed. A person becomes resistant to changes in the external environment.
With various diseases, the functions of the glands may need to be regulated, so doctors use drugs as therapy that help restore hormonal levels.
The endocrine system is quite fragile, and very often its work can be disrupted by certain factors:
- Nervous loads and stresses.
- High background radiation.
- Strict diet.
- Lack of iodine in the body.
- Exposure to chemicals.
What are hormones?
What is iron, we have already figured it out. Now let's try to find outfeatures of the product it produces. Highly active substances produced by the glands are called hormones. They affect certain organs and systems of the body. But their influence is specific, as it is directed to a certain area of metabolic processes.
There are three groups of hormones that differ from each other in chemical structure:
- Steroids are fat-like substances. These hormones are produced by the adrenal cortex and gonads.
- Peptides and proteins. These types of hormones include insulin and substances produced by the pituitary gland.
- Amino acids. This group includes adrenaline and thyroxine.
Hormones can influence the intensity of metabolic processes. They are responsible for the onset of puberty, tissue differentiation and growth.
The role of the pituitary gland in the endocrine system
What is the pituitary gland? What functions does it perform? Where is this organ located? In the endocrine system, one of the most vital glands is the pituitary gland. This organ is a brain appendage. It is located at the base of the brain (in its middle part). The pituitary gland is connected to the hypothalamus by a special stalk. The mass of the gland is very small - 0.5 g.
The pituitary gland produces and synthesizes hormones such as:
- Gonadotropin affects the functioning of the sex glands and stimulates the production of hormones in them.
- Corticotropin is responsible for the production of hormones by the adrenal cortex.
- Somatotropin is a growth hormone.
- Thyrotropin acts as a regulator of the thyroid gland.
- Prolactin regulates lactation and fertility in women.
- Oxytocin has a stimulating effect on the contraction of smooth muscles in organs such as the intestines, gallbladder, bladder, uterus.
- Vasopressin reduces urine output, is responsible for vasoconstriction.
What is an endocrine gland, we figured it out. Now it’s worth finding out what other organs of the endocrine system are in the human body.
Other glands
The thyroid gland is an organ weighing approximately 16 to 23 g. It produces hormones containing iodine: thyroxine, calcitonin, triiodothyronine. In case of violations in the work of the organ, a disease of myxedema may occur, which manifests itself in the form of mucosal edema. A sick person has the following symptoms:
- deterioration of metabolic processes;
- decrease in temperature;
- slow pulse;
- weight gain;
- sluggishness;
- puffiness and dry skin.
Such a disease occurs when there is a lack of iodine or when the activity of the gland itself decreases.
Disturbances in the thyroid gland in children provokes the development of such a disease as cretinism. It causes dementia and delayed physical development.
Let's consider what hormones other glands of the endocrine system produce:
- The pancreas is of a mixed type, as it performs an external secret function (the secretion of pancreatic juice for the breakdown of nutrients) and an intra secret function (produceshormones such as insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, pancreatic polypeptide, intestinal vasoactive polypeptide).
- Adrenals - an organ that releases hormones from the adrenal medulla and cortex: dopamine, adrenaline, aldosterone, cortisol, etc. Violations in the work of the gland can provoke the development of Addison's (bronze) disease.
- The thymus gland produces thymosin, a hormone responsible for growth processes and immunity. Participates in the formation of lymphocytes.
- The parathyroid glands produce parathyroid hormone, which is involved in the synthesis of phosphorus and calcium.
- The gonads are of mixed type. Intrasecretory function - the production of sex hormones: estrogen, androgen and progesterone. Exocrine function - the formation and secretion of female and male germ cells (sperm and egg).
In the article we answered the question of what iron is, examined its role in the human body.
