Androgens are produced in small amounts by the adrenal cortex in both males and females. The adrenal glands produce glucocorticoids and androgens, which are sex hormones that promote masculinity. Adrenal glands are a pair of ductless glands located above the kidneys. These glands are located on the posterior surface of the thyroid gland.ĥ. Most people have four parathyroid glands however, the number can vary from two to six. The parathyroid glands are small endocrine glands that produce parathyroid hormone. These hormones increase the metabolic activity of the body‘s cells.Ĥ. The thyroid gland produces the hormones T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine). The thyroid gland, one of the largest endocrine glands in the body, is located in the neck, just below the larynx and in front of the trachea. These hormones are considered to be posterior pituitary hormones even though they are produced by the hypothalamus since that is where they are released into the circulatory system.ģ. They are released into the circulatory system via neural signalling from the hypothalamus. The antidiuretic hormone (ADH) (or vasopressin) and oxytocin are produced by neurons in the hypothalamus and transported to the posterior pituitary. While these hormones are produced by the anterior pituitary, their production is controlled by regulatory hormones produced by the hypothalamus.

Anterior pituitary hormones are sometimes referred to as tropic hormones because they control the functioning of other organs. The anterior pituitary produces seven hormones: growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), melanin-stimulating hormone (MSH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH). The pituitary has two distinct regions: the anterior pituitary and the posterior pituitary. The pituitary gland, sometimes called the “master gland,” is located at the base of the brain. The hypothalamus also synthesizes and secretes regulatory hormones that control the endocrine cells in the anterior pituitary gland such as Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone, Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone, Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone and somatostatin.Ģ.

The hypothalamus synthesizes hormones such as ADH and oxytocin. The hypothalamus is an endocrine organ located in the brain.

All these glands together form the endocrine system.ġ. The main endocrine glands are the hypothalamus, pituitary (anterior and posterior), thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal (cortex and medulla), pancreas, and gonads.

Cortical hormone function