Endocrine system anatomy

endocrine gland at the base of the brain. Referred to as the “master gland” because it monitors and regulates many bodily functions through the hormones that it produces, including growth and sexual/reproductive development and function.

The hypothalamus (: hypothalami; ) is a small part of the vertebrate brain that contains a number of nuclei with a variety of functions. One of the most important functions is to link the nervous system to the endocrine system via the pituitary gland. The hypothalamus is located below the thalamus and is part of the limbic system. It forms the basal part of the diencephalon. All vertebrate brains contain a hypothalamus. In humans, it is about the size of an almond.

endocrine gland that produces a variety of hormones

The thymus (: thymuses or thymi) is a specialized primary lymphoid organ of the immune system. Within the thymus, T cells mature. T cells are critical to the adaptive immune system, where the body adapts to specific foreign invaders. The thymus is located in the upper front part of the chest, in the anterior superior mediastinum, behind the sternum, and in front of the heart. It is made up of two lobes, each consisting of a central medulla and an outer cortex, surrounded by a capsule.

small endocrine gland found in most vertebrates, which produces melatonin; in humans, located in the epithalamus, in a groove where the two halves of the thalamus join; its shape and size resembles a pine nut, after which it is named

endocrine gland

temporary endocrine structure in ovaries producing progesterone, estradiol and inhibin A; the remains of an ovarian follicle that has released an egg

steroid-producing cells in the interstitial tissue of the testis

glandular, anterior lobe that, together with the posterior lobe, makes up the pituitary gland

type of cell found in pancreatic islets

posterior lobe of the pituitary gland

endocrine cell in the pancreatic islets of the pancreas

cortex of the adrenal gland; secretes corticosterone and sex hormones

type of cutaneous mechanoreceptor cel

cells that store epinephrine secretory vesicles

neuroendocrine cells in the thyroid gland which secrete calcitonin

system of endocrine glands

cell type

cell type

structure derived from the corpus luteum

region of the hypothalamus

rate of blood flow to the kidneys

region of the hypothalamus

system of blood vessels

anatomical entity

calcified deposit found in some dissected brains

below the hypothalamus of the brain

small organ found in the neck region of many animals.