The pancreas produces chemicals that are crucial to proper digestion and blood sugar regulation

Anyone with exposure to 2-butoxyethanol needs liver/kidneys checked regularly

The primary glands that make up the human endocrine system are the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pineal body, and reproductive glands—the ovary and testis. The pancreas, an organ often associated with the digestive system, is also considered part of the endocrine system. In addition, some nonendocrine organs are known to actively secrete hormones. These include the brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, thymus, skin, and placenta

* quotes from "Endocrine System," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2003
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2003 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Click on photo for enlarged diagram showing the pituitary, hypothalamus, thalamus, cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem.

"Called the master gland, the pituitary secretes hormones that control the activity of other endocrine glands and regulate various biological processes. Its secretions include growth hormone (which stimulates cellular activity in bone, cartilage, and other structural tissue); thyroid stimulating hormone (which causes the thyroid to release metabolism-regulating hormones); antidiuretic hormone (which causes the kidney to excrete less water in the urine); and prolactin (which stimulates milk production and breast development in females). The pituitary gland is influenced both neurally and hormonally by the hypothalamus." Fair Use

The major glands of the endocrine system are the pituitary, hypothalmus, and pineal located in the brain, the thyroid and parathyroids in the neck, the thymus, adrenals, and pancreas in the abdomen, and the gonads, either ovaries or testes, in the lower abdomen. To a lesser degree, organs such as the heart, lungs, and stomach are involved in hormone management. These glands must control everything from when we fall asleep to when we reach our adult height.

What is the Pancreas? The pancreas produces chemicals that are crucial to proper digestion and blood sugar regulation. As an abdominal gland, it lies behind the stomach, with its head pointed toward the small intestine, and its tail pointed to the right. Both the exocrine and endocrine systems lay claim to this organ. Our body's endocrine system regulates hormones and other substances through its direct access to the bloodstream, cells, and organs. The exocrine system works via ducts to digest food in the intestinal tract.

Important hormones secreted by the pancreas include insulin and glucagon. These maintain the appropriate levels of sugar throughout our body. The parts of the pancreas responsible for the production of hormones are the Islets of Langerhans, which are small clusters of cells separated from the exocrine functions. When unprocessed sugar needs to be converted into the kind of energy our cells use, it travels to the liver. There, glucagon breaks down the glycogen variety of sugar and releases its components into your blood. Then, insulin appears at the site of cells to help them easily absorb the sugar. This is what keeps non-diabetic’s blood sugar levels from getting too high or too low.

On dual duty, the pancreas also creates digestive juices as a member of the exocrine system. These fluids must break down nutrients that the stomach's acids weren't effective at metabolizing. Since the pancreas is so close to the small intestine, there are many ducts streaming from its head to carry the enzymes to the duodenum, the beginning of the intestine. The juices start out alkaline in the pancreas, but when they meet substances bathed in stomach acid in the duodenum, they become acidic. These enzymes include amylase, which digests fat, trypsin for protein, and one that works on carbohydrates, lipase. The resulting nutrients are distributed further down the small intestine.

Malfunctions of the pancreas include diabetes, pancreatic cancer, pancreatis, and cystic fibrosis. Any interference with our insulin or enzyme levels wreaks havoc on our wellbeing, whether it is due to genes or diet. To ensure a healthy pancreas, maintain good nutrition.

Written by S. Mithra
copyright © 2005 wiseGEEK

The pituitary gland is influenced both neurally and hormonally by the hypothalamus.

the hypothalamus is in the brain & functions to regulate certain metabolic processes and other autonomic activities. The hypothalamus links the nervous system to the endocrine system by synthesizing and secreting neurohormones often called releasing hormones because they function by stimulating the secretion of hormones from the anterior pituitary gland — among them, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). The neurons that secrete GnRH are linked to the limbic system, which is very involved in the control of emotions and sexual activity. The hypothalamus is also the area of the brain that controls body temperature, hunger and thirst, and circadian cycles.

The hypothalamus connects to the pituitary gland via the tuberoinfundibular pathway.

What is the Pituitary Gland? As part of the endocrine system that regulates hormones, the pituitary gland controls many of the other glands through secretion. Our "master gland," the pituitary makes some hormones, but also acts as an intermediary between the brain and other endocrine glands. Our hormones and the pituitary gland accomplish many homeostatic and specialized functions, like bone growth and uterine contractions.

Neurons carry messages regarding the production of hormones between the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus. Both are located at the base of the brain, nestled in a rounded part of bone, carefully protected. They are connected by a bunch of neurons called the infundibulum. Together, they work to regulate all the hormones that circulate in the bloodstream, controlling things like growth and hair pigmentation. Hormones are the long-distance messangers that can inform cells when to become active or stay dormant. The pituitary gland controls the thyroid, adrenal glands, ovaries and testes, even though it’s only the size of a pea.

There are different parts of the pituitary gland that have selective functions. The posterior lobe, called the neurohypophysis, releases the hormones vasopressin and oxytocin, but doesn’t produce them. Vasopressin is an anti-diuretic that controls how the kidneys absorb water. Oxytocin is a special hormone only present during childbirth to speed contractions.

The anterior lobe of the pituitary gland is called the adenohypophysis. It produces a variety of hormones, such as prolactin that stimulates lactation in women. Melanocyte spurs the body to produce melanin for skin and hair pigmentation. Follicle-stimulating hormone indicates where and when hair should grow during development. The very important growth hormone controls bone growth to determine height, especially active during adolescence. Hormones control glands as well. The thyroid reacts to thyrotropin, the adrenal glands are stimulated by adrenocorticotropin, and the sex glands are affected by luteinizing hormone. The pituitary gland is responsible for many stages and aspects of our maturation.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-pituitary-gland.htm

The hypothalamus is a region of the brain that controls an immense number of bodily functions. It is located in the middle of the base of the brain, and encapsulates the ventral portion of the third ventricle. The pituitary gland, also known as the hypophysis, is a roundish organ that lies immediately beneath the hypothalamus, resting in a depression of the base of the skull called the sella turcica ("Turkish saddle"). In an adult human or sheep, the pituitary is roughly the size and shape of a garbonzo bean.

Fundamental Concepts in Endocrinology

A Tour of the Endocrine System

Hypothalamus and Pituitary Gland
Thyroid and Parathyroid Glands
Adrenal Glands
Endocrine Pancreas
Gastrointestinal Hormones
Gonadal Hormones
Placental Hormones
Other Endocrine Tissues and Hormones

Source: http://arbl.cvmbs.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/endocrine/index.html

What about the spleen?

System: Lymphatic (infection fighting)
Location: Left hand side of your body, between your stomach and diaphragm
Physical description: Fist-shaped
Function: Cleaning your blood, destroying old red blood cells and fighting infection.

Filtering blood Your spleen acts as a filter for your blood, cleansing it of bacteria, viruses and other debris. When blood flows through your spleen, white blood cells attack and remove any foreign invaders. This keeps your blood clean and helps protect you against infection.

Destroying old red-blood cells Red blood cells have a lifespan of around 120 days, after which your spleen breaks them down. The red blood cell remains are transported elsewhere in your body where they are excreted or recycled to manufacture new red blood cells.

Making blood cells Before birth, foetuses produce red and white blood cells in their spleens. Shortly before birth the spleen loses its ability to make red blood cells and bone marrow takes over this job. The spleen continues producing infection-fighting white blood cells throughout our lives.

Living without a spleen It is possible to live without a spleen as most of its functions can be taken over by other organs. However, people without spleens are more vulnerable to all kinds of infections.

What about the gall bladder?

Storing and concentrating bile Bile is a greenish-yellow, slightly acidic fluid that is made in your liver. You produce about one litre of it a day. Bile is stored in your gall bladder and once it gets there, it is concentrated by the removal of water.

Breaking down fats After a meal, your gallbladder contracts, squeezing bile into your small intestine. Bile breaks down fat in the food you eat.

Gallstones Most gall bladder disorders are due to the presence of gallstones. Gallstones form when cholesterol, one of the components of bile, crystallizes to form a stone-like material.

Which gland regulates body temp? * thalamus? hypothalamus?

Does the Blood?