What are the seven endocrine glands?
The major endocrine glands include the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroids, adrenals, pancreas, testes, and ovaries. Endocrine glands secrete hormones (chemical messengers that regulate body functions such as growth) into the blood system, which generally stimulate some change in metabolic activity (physical and chemical processes). Pituitary gland—Located just below the brain, this gland secretes adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) to stimulate the adrenal cortex (outer portion of the adrenal glands); aldosterone to control sodium and potassium reabsorption by the kidneys; follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to stimulate gonad function; prolactin to stimulate milk secretion in breasts; thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) to stimulate thyroid gland to produce thyroxine, which regulates metabolic and growth rates; luteinizing hormone (LH) to stimulate ovulation in females and…
