Endocrine System
Handout for Nursing Students
Prepared by: Melaku Geletu (MSc. in Anatomy)
The endocrine system is made up of the cells,
tissues, and organs that secrete hormones
Hormones diffuse into the bloodstream to act
target cells some distance away.
The body has two kinds of glands
◦ Exocrine (secretes products into ducts)
◦ Endocrine (secrete products into body fluids).
Location of the major endocrine organs of the body
Pineal gland
Hypothalamus
Pituitary gland
Thyroid gland
Parathyroid glands
(on dorsal aspect
of thyroid gland)
Thymus gland
Adrenal glands
Pancreas
Ovary
(female)
Testis
(male)
Human Anatomy and Physiology, 7e Copyright © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc.,
by Elaine©Marieb
Copyright & Katja
2010 Pearson Hoehn
Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings.
It is located in the cranial cavity
It is connected with the hypothalamus both
anatomically and physiologically
It is divided into:
◦ Anterior lobe /adenohypophysis
Pars anterior/pars distalis
Pars intermedia
Pars tuberalis
◦ Posterior lobe /neurohypophysis
Infundibulum
Pars nervosa
Arterial supply
◦ Superior and inferior hypophyseal arteries
◦ Both of them are branches of the internal carotid
artery
Venous drainage
◦ Intercavernous sinuses
Unpaired gland positioned in anterior neck
It is in the visceral compartment of the neck
It consists of: two lateral lobes, an isthmus and
(pyramidal lobe)
Lateral lobes (right and left)
◦ They cover anterolateral surfaces of trachea, cricoid
cartilage, and lower part of the thyroid cartilage
Isthmus
◦ Connects the two lateral lobes
◦ Crosses anterior surfaces of the 2nd – 4th tracheal
cartilages
A pyramidal lobe
◦ It is often present
◦ Projects upward from the isthmus, usually to the left
of the midline
◦ Connected to the hyoid bone by a fibrous or muscular
band
Superior thyroid artery
◦ It is the first branch of the external carotid artery
Inferior thyroid artery
◦ Arises from the thyrocervical trunk
Thyroidea ima
◦ If present, may arise from brachiocephalic artery or the
arch of the aorta
Superior thyroid veins
◦ Drains into the internal jugular vein
Middle thyroid veins
◦ Drains into the internal jugular vein
Inferior thyroid veins
◦ They anastomose each other
◦ Drain into the left brachiocephalic vein
Four small oval masses each 3 x 6 mm with a total weight of
about 0.4 g
They are located on the back of the thyroid gland
Superior parathyroid glands:
◦ Two in number (right and left)
◦ Located at the upper pole of the thyroid gland
Inferior parathyroid glands
◦ Paired (right and left)
◦ Located at the lower pole of the thyroid gland
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Arterial supply
◦ Superior thyroid artery
◦ Inferior thyroid artery
Venous drainage
◦ Superior thyroid vein
◦ Middle thyroid vein
◦ Inferior thyroid vein
They are associated with the superior pole of each kidney
The gland consists of two concentric layers:
◦ Adrenal cortex – a yellowish peripheral layer
◦ Adrenal medulla – reddish brown central layer
Shape
◦ Right gland—pyramidal
◦ Left gland—semilunar
They are surrounded by perinephric fat and renal fascia
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Arterial supply
◦ Arises from three primary sources:
Superior suprarenal arteries
Arises from the inferior phrenic arteries
Middle suprarenal artery
Arises directly from the abdominal aorta
Inferior suprarenal arteries
Arises from the renal arteries
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Venous drainage
◦ Right and left suprarenal veins
◦ Right suprarenal vein drains into inferior venacava
◦ Left suprarenal vein drains into left renal vein
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