Description of Each Endocrine Gland

Hypothalamus: controls hormone secretion
Pituitary gland: secretes...

• prolactin: stimulates milk production from a woman's breasts after childbirth and can affect sex hormone levels from ovaries in women and the testes in men
• growth hormone: stimulates growth in childhood
• adrenocorticotropin: stimulates the production of cortisol by the adrenal glands
• thyroid stimulating hormone: stimulates the thyroid gland to make thyroid hormones
• luteinizing hormone: regulates testosterone in men and estrogen in women
• follicle- stimulating hormone: promotes sperm production in men and the release of eggs in the ovaries in women
• oxytocin: causes milk letdown in nursing mothers and contractions during childbirth
• antidiuretic hormone: regulates water balance
• diuretics: increase urine production

Thyroid gland: hormones control the metabolism

Parathyroid gland: regulates calcium levels

Adrenal gland: produces hormones that help the body control blood sugar, burn protein and fat, react to stressors like major illness and injury, and regulate blood pressure

Pancreas: helps the body maintain healthy blood sugar (glucose) levels

Pineal gland: secretes Melatonin, important for maintaining Circadian rhythms (light and dark activity)

Thymus gland: secretes thymosins, important to the immune system function