The Endocrine System



The endocrine system is an integrated system of small organs that involve the release of  molecules
known as (1)………… The endocrine system helps (2)………….  metabolism, growth, development and puberty,
tissue functions  and also plays a part in what (3)……….  you are in. The field of medicine that
deals with disorders of endocrine glands is called (4)……………, a branch of the wider field of
(4)……………medicine. The endocrine system mainly uses blood (5)……… as information channels. Different
glands are (5)……….. in many regions of the body.


Adrenal Glands

The adrenal glands are a pair of glands that secrete hormones (6)…..…..  into the bloodstream. Each
gland can be (7)…….. into two (8)…….. organs. The outer region, the (8)………., secretes hormones
which have important (9)……… on the way in which energy is stored and food is used and on
characteristics (10)……. as hairiness and body shape. The hormones (11)……..… here are called
‘steroids’ and have three main (12) ……..: those which control the (13) …….. of sodium and
potassium; those which raise the level of sugar in the blood; and sex hormones. The smaller, inner
region known as the (14)………  is the body’s first line of defence and response to (15)………..  and
(16)……… stresses.


Ovaries

The ovaries are a pair of oval or almond-shaped glands which lie on either side of the (17)…….. and
just below the opening to the (18)…….. tubes. In addition to producing eggs, or (19)………, the
ovaries produce (20)………. sex hormones called oestrogen and progesterone.


Testicles (Testes)

The (22) ……….. is a sac that hangs under the penis and holds the testes. It is divided internally
into two halves by a membrane. It has an (21)……. layer of thin skin over a layer of tissue which
contains muscle. The testicle lies inside the scrotum and produces as many as 12 trillion sperms in
a male's lifetime, about 400 million of which are ejaculated in one average intercourse. Each sperm
takes about seventy-two days to (22) ………. and its maturity is overseen by a complex interaction of
hormones. If it becomes too cool on the outside, the scrotum will (24) ………. to bring the testes
closer the body.



Pancreas

The pancreas is a long gland which lies across and behind the stomach. The right-hand end  lies in
the (25) …….. of the duodenum. This gland secretes digestive juices which break down (26) …….. Some
cells in the pancreas secrete hormones which regulate the level of  (27) ……. in the blood. The
cells of the pancreas are surrounded by many blood vessels into which they secrete hormones (28)
……… and (29) …….... If the pancreas   (30) …….. to produce insulin or secretes it in low
quantities, the result is a (31) ……….. disease  called (32) ………...


                               The position of some important glands