Endocrine system: anatomy, parts and functions.

This set of organs and cellular tissues allows us to adapt to every situation.

Some say that human behavior is another aspect of our biological design, that which causes us to be born and develop as we do. In a sense, this is true: all our mental activity is, in essence, the product of a set of nerve cells that capture information from the senses, process it, and send orders to the muscles.

However, the nervous system is not the only component that allows us to relate to our surroundings (and to others) as we do. The endocrine system also plays a role in this.The endocrine system is also involved in this, through its mechanisms of hormone emission and uptake. In the following lines we will see what the endocrine system is, what its parts are, and what function it has in the organism.

What is the endocrine system?

The nervous system is a network of organs and cells that have evolved to produce rapid changes in the state of a living being, depending on the situation, maximizing the options for an option or reflex to appear that is useful in that context.

However, sometimes the need appears for these changes to be more sustained and to affect not only the parts of the organism involved in a particular action (e.g., the arm), but in many organ-diana, more or less at the same time. This is why the nervous system is complemented by what is known as the endocrine system..

The endocrine system is, in short, a collection of organs and cellular tissues that secrete types of substances called hormones. secrete types of substances called hormones, which travel through the bloodstream. and serve to regulate different biological processes.

Difference between the functioning of hormones and neurons

Unlike what happens with neuronal activity, the effects that the endocrine system exerts on the body are not usually immediate and take longer to fade, since it takes several seconds from the moment the "order" to release hormones is given until they reach their destination.

Moreover, another difference between the endocrine system and the nervous system is that if in the former the order transmitted electrochemically can reach a specific place in the body, the hormones are never predestined to reach a particular place at a particular time, but when they are released into the blood, flood many parts of the body almost at the same time, some of these particles reachingSome of these particles reach their target organ as a matter of probability.

On the other hand, a single release of hormones has sustained effects on several parts of the body at the same time. This is no coincidence, because if anything characterizes the endocrine system is that through its regulation of hormone levels it usually achieves a balance (homeostasis) between the different parts of the body, all of them adapting to the same situation, but each in its own way.

For example, in a situation of danger, adrenaline is secreted in greater quantities by the endocrine system, causing by the endocrine system, causing both the heart to beat faster (to react quickly) and the capillaries close to the skin to be constricted, possibly so that little Blood is lost in case of injury.

The fact that the work of hormones and neurons goes so closely together has led to the fact that we can even speak of a neurological system. even a neuroendocrine system can be referred to as a neuroendocrine system.The nervous system deals with very short-term work (milliseconds), and the endocrine system achieves effects that take a little longer to arrive but last longer and are consistent with the work of the nerve cells.

Its parts

Between the endocrine organs and the parts of the body in general that are involved in the endocrine system, the following components stand out.Among the endocrine organs and parts of the body in general that are involved in the endocrine system, the following components stand out.

1. Pineal gland

Located in the lower part of the brain, the pineal gland or epiphysis acts as a bridge between the nervous and endocrine systems. Among the hormones it secretes, melatonin stands out.melatonin, involved in the regulation of the sleep-wake rhythm.

2. Pituitary gland

This part of the organism, which is also called the pituitary gland, is also located in the lower part of the brain. It is very important, since it secretes many types of hormones and indirectly affects the secretion of others, since it stimulates other glands located in different parts of the body, including the thyroid.

It fulfills many functions, and among them is the regulation of several biological processes linked to reproduction and processes linked to reproduction and sexuality. For example, it allows the ability to lactate to appear, as well as the maturation of eggs and the creation of spermatozoa. Its role in growth is also very important, since it secretes growth hormone.

3. Adrenal gland

These glands are located above each of the two kidneys in the human body, and their role in the endocrine system is linked to the regulation of stress states.The most important of these are those involved in fight or flight behaviors. For example, they can increase blood volume, stimulate energy available for immediate expenditure, and inhibit biological processes with long-term goals, such as the inflammatory response.

4. Hypothalamus

The hypothalamus is one of the most important parts of the brain, and initiates several mechanisms for the release of many different types of hormones from various glands, based on the uptake of nerve signals. It does this by, secretes hormones of the corticosteroid and catecholamine groups..

5. Thyroid

The thyroid is a large gland located in the neck. It secretes calcitonin, triiodothyronine and thyroxine, hormones involved in the production of calcium.The thyroid is a large gland located in the neck. It secretes calcitonin, triiodothyronine and thyroxine, hormones involved in the regulation of metabolism and oxygen consumption, as well as in the generation and regeneration of bones.