Endocrine System thyroid
This article is intended for the massage therapist review and students that are preparing to take the national exam.
Fore ward: The endocrine and nervous system play a dominate role in regulation of many body functions involved in homeostasis, they also play a dominant role in the regulation of body temperature, appetite, and thirst.
Thyroid - The thyroid lies in the neck, just below the larynx, the thyroid influences the amount of blood calcium via the hormone calcitonin. The parathyroid glands are small and found on the back or posterior side of the thyroid gland. The parathyroid glands increase the concentration of calcium in the blood via the hormone Parathyroid hormone (PTH). The parathyroid stimulates bone-reabsorbing cells known as osteoclasts which increases the breakdown of the bone’s hard matrix. Osteoblasts do the exact opposite which stimulates bone-absorbing cells known as osteoblasts, and increases the build up of the bone’s hard matrix.
The adrenal glans curve over the top of the of each kidney, the names of the two adrenal glands are adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla. The adrenal glans that secrete corticoids, mineralcorticoids (i.e. aldosterone), glucocorticoids (cortisol which is also known as hydrocortisone), and sex hormones resembling testosterone. Mineralcorticoids are hormones that control the amount of some mineral salts. Aldosterone is the hormone that increases the amount of sodium and decreases the amount of potassium in the blood by influencing kidney tubules. Glucocorticoids are hormones that help maintain normal blood glucose concentration, and also increase the process of gluconeogenesis. Gluconeogenesis is the process of converting amino acids of fatty acids into glucose.
Liver - The liver is the organ that conducts the process of gluconeogenesis, however the adrenal medulla actually secretes glucocorticoids that work with hormones to constrict blood vessels for normal blood pressure and produce anti-inflammatory effect in the body.
Adrenal medulla - Epinephrine, norephrine are glucocorticoids which are hormones that are secreted in response to stress on the physical body such as surgery, hemmorrhage, infections, server burns and intense emotions. They are also hormones that have an anti-immunity/anti-allergy effect by decreasing the number of cells that produce antibodies.
Andogens - the male hormones that are produced by the adrenal cortex glands of both males and females. In females, these hormones stimulate the sex drive. The adrenal medulla are glands that secrete hormones such as epinephrine and norepinephrine.
