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Endocrine System — Part 2: Adrenal, pituitary and feedback

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Lesson

Adrenal, Pituitary and Feedback

Part 2 — the emergency gland, the master gland, and how hormones keep themselves in check.

In this lesson you will

Describe the emergency effects of adrenaline and the role of the cortical hormones
Explain why the pituitary is the master gland and state the effects of growth hormone and ADH imbalance
Explain with a flow diagram how thyroxine controls TSH by feedback

Concept

The adrenal gland

Each adrenal gland has an outer cortex and an inner medulla.

Table of the two regions of the adrenal gland, their hormones and main roles
Region	Hormones	Main role
Cortex (outer)	Cortical hormones (corticoids)	Salt and water balance; carbohydrate metabolism; some sex hormones
Medulla (inner)	Adrenaline	Prepares the body for an emergency

Concept

Adrenaline: fight or flight

Table of five effects of adrenaline and how each helps in an emergency
Effect of adrenaline	How it helps
Faster, stronger heartbeat	More blood to the muscles
Faster, deeper breathing	More oxygen
Liver glycogen changed to glucose	More fuel for energy
Pupils dilate	Better view of the danger
Less blood to the gut and skin	More blood for the muscles