Gland Hormone Target tissue Function Abnormalities
Anterior pituitary Gland Growth Hormone Most tissues Stimulates growth of bones,
muscles & organs
Too much GH causes gigantism, too
little causes pituitary dwarfism
Anterior pituitary Gland Thyroid stimulating
hormone
Thyroid gland Regulates thyroid gland secretions Too much TSH, thyroid gland
enlarges, too little TSH, thyroid gland
shrinks
Anterior pituitary Gland LH for females ovaries Promotes ovulation & progesterone production
Anterior pituitary Gland LH for males testes Sperm production & testosterone
Anterior pituitary Gland FSH for females Follicles Follicle maturation & estrogen secretion
Anterior pituitary Gland FSH for males testes Sperm production
Anterior pituitary Gland prolactin Mammary glands Milk production
Anterior pituitary Gland ACTH Outside layer of adrenal
gland
Regulates cortisol secretions Too much of ACTH darkens the skin
Posterior pituitary Gland Antidiuretic hormone(ADH) kidneys Conserve water Diabetes insipidus (low ADH)
Posterior pituitary Gland oxytocin uterus Increases uterine contractions during labor
Thyroid Gland Thyroid hormones Most tissues Regulates metabolic rates Hypothyroidism(decreased
metabolism), hyper
thyroidism(increased metabolism)
Thyroid Gland calcitonin bones Secreted when blood Ca2+ levels are high
parathyroid Gland parathyroid hormone Bones & kidneys Regulates blood Ca2+ levels Hypoparathyroidism(low PTH
secretion), hyperparathyroidism(high
PTH secretion)
adrenal medulla Epinephrine,
norepinephrine
Heart,blood,vessels,liver,fat
cells
Fight or flight response
adrenal cortex aldosterone kidneys Causes Na+ & H2O to be retained & K+ to be
secreted
Adrenal cortex cortisol Most tissues Increases breakdown of fat
Adrenal cortex androgens Most tissues Secondary sexual characteristics(males),sex
drive(females)
hypersecretion
pancreas insulin Liver, skeletal muscle,
adipose tissue
Regulates blood glucose levels Diabetes mellitus
pancreas Glucagon liver Regulates blood glucose levels
testes testosterone Most tissues Sperm production
ovaries Estrogen/progesterone Most tissues Involved in uterine, menstrual cycle
Thymus gland thymosin Immune system tissues Promotes immune system
Pineal gland melatonin hypothalamus Onset of puberty & controls circadian rhythms Hypersecretion(delayed puberty)
placenta Relaxin, HCG Produces hormones that maintain pregnancy
Stomach & small
intestines
Gastrin, CCK, secretin Secretes hormones that regulate activities
kidneys erythropoietin Red blood cells Renin raises BP, calcitriol-active from vitamin D
