The endocrine system is significant in the human body as it is responsible for the functioning of the body, body cells, and organs. Endocrine glands are glands within the endocrine system that excrete hormones directly to the blood. This network of glands excretes hormones that facilitate cell communication and control various functions and states of the human body. For instance, the endocrine glands excrete hormones that control our moods, homeostasis, metabolism, growth, response to stimuli, and other body functions.
There are various types of glands, including the hypothalamus, thyroid gland, pituitary gland, thymus, parathyroids, pancreas, adrenal glands, testes, and ovaries (gonads) (Andrzej & Susanne, 1998). The hypothalamus excretes regulatory hormones vasopressin and oxytocin. The thyroid gland excretes three essential hormones which are, thyroxine, triiodothyronine, and calcitonin.
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The pituitary gland is often referred to as the master gland as it has control over other glands in the endocrine system. The Pituitary gland excretes adrenocorticotrophic hormone, somatotrophic hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and prolactin. It also stores and secretes antidiuretic hormone and oxytocin, which is excreted by the hypothalamus.
Parathyroids excrete parathyroid hormone. The pancreas excretes insulin and glucagon while the gonads, which are the testes and the ovaries excrete testosterone and estrogen and progesterone, respectively. The adrenal glands excrete gonadal hormones, mineralocorticoids, and glucocorticoids.
Hormonal interactions with the human body have both positive and negative responses. Once the hormones are secreted into the body through the bloodstream, its feedback may either be positive or negative. For instance, negative feedback is an indication that the release of a particular hormone has reached that the release of the hormone ought to be stopped (Khaled, 2011). On the other hand, positive feedback is a signal that a particular excretion should be increased in the body.
References
Andrzej, B., & Susanne, H. (1998). Endocrine system . Alcohol research current reviews , 22 (3), 153-164.
Khaled, A. (2011). Psychological Positive Feedback Mechanisms. American Journal of Biomedical Sciences, 3 (2), 145-155.
