The endocrine system is an amazing part of the body. It is amazing in that all of its parts work together to keep the body functioning as it should and to influence the processes that should take place to make human beings healthy such as growth, ovulation, pregnancy, sperm generation, sugar, salt and calcium metabolism and many other processes that occur. While its complexity cannot be fully explained in a short space, some of its amazing features can be discussed along with some of the possible disorders that may occur in the endocrine system.

Hypothalamus

The hypothalamus is actually a part of the brain rather than a separate gland like the pituitary gland, which is located near the hypothalamus, and which works in conjunction with the hypothalamus. Kara Rogers, author of The Endocrine System explains that the hypothalamus is cone-shaped and projects down from the brain with the funnel-shaped stalk connecting to the pituitary gland. It also acts as a control center for the autonomic nervous system including its effects on the nervous system because of its interaction with the pituitary gland (Rogers, 2012, p. 158). That connection to the pituitary gland is both nerves and chemical whereas the other glands in the endocrine system have only a chemical connection to the pituitary gland and other parts of the body. The hypothalamus secretes hormones, but also neurotransmitters, so that it connects the stimuli from the endocrine system with the brain by way of its connection to the pituitary gland that regulates many parts of the body. Morley (2019) of Merck Manuals (2019) says, “The hypothalamus receives input from virtually all other areas of the central nervous system and uses it to provide input to the pituitary. In response, the pituitary releases various hormones that stimulate certain endocrine glands throughout the body. Changes in circulating levels of hormones produced by these endocrine glands are detected by the hypothalamus, which then increases or decreases its stimulation of the pituitary to maintain homeostasis” (Morley, 2019). Other parts of the body will inform the hypothalamus of the need for hormones or the need to regulate the hormones, and the thalamus then signals the pituitary gland to either send signals, send hormones or stop sending hormones.

Another connection that the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus have is the hormones that they secrete. Whatever the hormone the pituitary gland secretes, the hypothalamus secretes a regulatory one. For instance, the hypothalamus secretes thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) which tells the pituitary gland to release thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) which regulates the function of the thyroid gland. The hypothalamus has the connection to the brain which controls the entire body and informs the hypothalamus that more thyrotropin is necessary. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), also known as thyrotropin, has many functions: it stimulates the synthesis and secretion of thyrotropin by the anterior pituitary gland. That stimulates the thyroid to release thyroxin, which is one of the essential hormones for life in the human body (Rogers, 2012, p. 130). Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) corresponds to Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH, corticotropin), which regulates the release of cortisol from the adrenal glands. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), Growth hormone–releasing hormone (GHRH) and Growth hormone–inhibiting hormone (somatostatin GHIH) secreted by the hypothalamus correspond to and regulates Growth hormone (GH) secreted by the anterior pituitary gland which stimulates growth, cell reproduction and regeneration. Prolactin-inhibiting hormone (PIH) secreted by the hypothalamus corresponds with Prolactin (PRL) secreted by the anterior pituitary gland which stimulates milk production during the last stage of pregnancy. Also related to PH and PRL and Luteinizing hormone (LH), also known as Leydig cell–stimulating hormone (LCSH) and Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) which tell the ovaries to release eggs and optimistically prepare the uterus for egg implantation. Finally, Melanocyte-inhibiting hormone (MIH) secreted by the hypothalamus corresponds with Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. MIH regulates MSH, which stimulates melatonin production. Melatonin is responsible for the pigmentation in skin.

Diseases and Disorders of the Hypothalamus

Some disorders of the hypothalamus include tumors, encephalitis, and other inflammatory lesions. Tumors are diagnosed with brain imaging and treated with surgery and/or radiation or chemotherapy. Encephalitis and other inflammatory lesions are diagnosed with imaging, spinal tap, blood or urine samples, EEG, or biopsy. Encephalitis is treated based on its severity. Mild encephalitis would be treated with bed rest, plenty of fluids and anti-inflammatory medi