Introduction to Endocrinology

Endocrinology comes from the Greek work endo which means "within", krīnō, “to separate” and logia meaning “study of”. It is the study of Endocrine system, its diseases, its diagnosis and treatment. It is also about regulation of growth, metabolism and energy, and balancing of sugar, water and salt. 

  

"General locations of Endocrine Glands"

Photo Credit: http://www.hormone.org/Endo101/page1.cfm

Endocrinology is also concerned in the physiological function of hormones secreted by the specific organs in our body. Hormones are present in all organisms that have a receptor sites for the binding of the target cells. Its action is to act as chemical messengers that transmit signals to the cell. These signals are passed through the blood to act on its target organ which has cells processing for the receptor sites. 

When it binds to the receptor site of a target cell, a molecule might act as an "agonist" (  are molecules that bind to the receptor site of a target cell and produce biological effects as a result )  or as an "antagonist" ( are molecules that bind to the receptor site of a target cell while at the same time failing to trigger the biochemical results of the agonist  ).

Photo Credit: http://www.ftmguide.org/hormonebasics.html#endocrinology

Hormones are made by our body, each hormones has a specific target cells. They are like ATM account that you can store and release if needed. The blood serves as the carrier of these hormones to perform their duties with their specific targets. If these hormones are release in too small or too great amount the receptor site or binding site may not be sufficient for the hormones which we called as  “hormonal imbalance”.

Pituitary

•    Oxytocin
•    Anti- Diuretic Hormone (ADH) also known as “vasopressin”
•    Prolactin (PRL)
•    Human Growth Hormone (HGH)
•    Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
•    Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone (ACTH)
•    Leutenizing Hormone (LH)
•    Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
•    Gonadotrophins
•    Interstitial Cell Stimulating Hormone (ICSH)
•    Intermedin

Pineal

• Melatonin 

Thyroid Gland·         

• Thyroxin
• Calcitonin

v  Parathyroid Gland

• Parathormone

v  Thymus

• Thymosin

v  Pancreas

• Insulin
• Glucagon

v  Adrenal Glands

   (Adrenal Medulla)

• Adrenalin
• Noradrenalin

(Adrenal Cortex)

• Corticosteroids

v  Ovaries

• Oestrogen 
• Progesterone

v  Testes

•       Testosteron

For more information about their functions and diseases please visit http://www.ivy-rose.co.uk/HumanBody/Endocrine/Endocrine_Glands.php



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References

• http://www.ftmguide.org/hormonebasics.html#endocrinology
• http://www.hormone.org/Endo101/page1.cfm
• http://www.ivy-rose.co.uk/HumanBody/Endocrine/Endocrine_Glands.php
• Donald F. Calbreath, Clinical Chemistry A fundamental Textbook
• Rod R. Seeley, Trent D. Stephens, Phili Tate, Essentials Of Anatomy and Physiology, sixth edition