The Hypothalamus Gland The hypothalamus is part of the brain lying under the thalamus. The stalk of the pituitary gland is attached to the hypothalamus. The main function of the hypothalamus is homeostasis, or maintaining the body’s status quo. Factors such as blood pressure, body temperature, fluid and electrolyte balance, and body weight are held … Read more
The pituitary gland sits in a saddle shaped depression in the back of the skull below the hypothalamus. It is 3/8 inch or 1 cm in diameter. The pituitary gland secretes hormones that stimulate other glands to produce their own hormones. It is often called the master gland because of its wide ranging influences, but … Read more
The Pineal Gland The pineal gland is located near the center of the brain, between the two hemispheres, tucked in a groove where the two rounded thalamic bodies join. It is about the size of a grain of rice (5–8 mm) It produces the serotonin derivative melatonin; a hormone that affects the modulation of the … Read more
The Thymus The thymus is located in the upper part of the chest. It is made of two lobes that join in front of the trachea. The thymus is an important part of children’s immune systems. It grows larger until puberty and then begins to shrink. The gland produces thymosins, which are hormones that stimulate … Read more
OverviewCeliac disease is an autoimmune disorder. It may affect every organ in the body. In most cases celiac disease damages or destroys the villi, which are the very component of the small intestine that enable us to absorb the nutrients we need to survive. The damage will extend to other parts of the body as … Read more
The Testes In a man, the testes, which produce sperm and testosterone, hang well outside the pelvis, in the scrotum.The hypothalamus secretes gonadotropic-releasing hormone (GnRH). This triggers the pituitary to release luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), which both acts on the testis. LH stimulates Leydig cells to produce testosterone, which is responsible … Read more
The Ovaries The ovaries lay on the pelvic side wall in the angle between the interior and exterior iliac arteries. The ovaries contain follicles in various stages of the ovarian cycle. The ovaries are paired, oval organs, each one about the size of an almond that sits at the ends of the fallopian tubes. Female … Read more
The Parathyroid Glands The parathyroid glands are small glands in the neck that produce parathyroid hormone (PTH).The parathyroid glands are about the size of a grain of rice. There are usually four parathyroid glands, but some individuals may have six, eight, or even more parathyroid glands. They are usually located on the rear surface of the thyroid … Read more
Blood Glucose and Pregnancy Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar (diabetes) that starts or is first diagnosed during pregnancy. Pregnancy hormones (Both the higher levels of progesterone and cortisol) can block insulin from doing its job. When this happens, glucose levels may increase in a pregnant woman’s blood.You are at greater risk for gestational diabetes … Read more
Electrolytes are ionized molecules found throughout the blood, tissues, and cells of the body. These molecules, which are either positive (cations) or negative (anions), conduct an electric current and help to balance pH and acid-base levels in the body. Electrolytes also facilitate the passage of fluid between and within cells through a process known as … Read more