


Thyroxine controls many body functions, including heart rate, temperature and metabolism. It also plays a part in regulation of fluid balance in the body. It promotes normal metabolism, maintains blood sugar levels and blood pressure, provides resistance to stress and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. HormoneĬortisol has a number of functions. In addition to the hormones listed in the table above, five of these hormones are controlled by hormones released by the pituitary. In total more than 200 hormones or hormone-like substances have been discovered. Hormones produced by other glands in the body The hormones secreted by the posterior pituitary are produced in the hypothalamus and then passed down a tube between the hypothalamus and the pituitary (the pituitary stalk) when they are then secreted into the blood.

LH and FSH are known collectively as gonadotrophins. Stimulates the ovaries to produce oestrogen and progesterone and the testes to produce testosterone and sperm. Luteinising hormone (LH)&Follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH)Ĭontrols reproductive functioning and sexual characteristics. Stimulates the thyroid gland to secrete its own hormone, which is called thyroxine. Stimulates the adrenal gland to produce a hormone called cortisol. Hormone comes from the Greek word hormao meaning “I excite” and refers to the fact that each hormone excites or stimulates a particular part of the body known as the target gland. Anterior pituitaryĬontrol of hormone production is monitored continuously and regulated using feedback loops. The two sections of the pituitary gland (the anterior and posterior) produce a number of different hormones which act on different target glands or cells. Generally, the higher the amount of hormone that is in the blood, the greater the effect. Hormones are made in endocrine glands and passed directly into the blood.
