Endocrinology, by what it implies, is the study of the endocrine system and its functions. Is that all? I don’t know either, I am little clueless of what this word contains.  But as I browse along my books and references about this Endocrinology, I found out that there are some things I already know which, surprisingly, were related to the subject.

 As we were asked to write something out of our analysis of what such a topic means, I chose not to branch out much on what I already know so I decided to share the common knowledge we have.  Take a read, Let us do the Countdown with song titles to liven it up!

    Rank 10. Let’s get physical

There is this hormone (by the way, hormones are what are being talked about in Endocrinology) called “Somatotropin” that stimulates the growth of bones, muscles, and other organs.  The releasing organ is the Pituitary gland. This hormone dictates how much growth one will have, depending on the level of release of this hormone to the body parts involved. Gigantism and Dwarfism are some of the common diseases related to the hormone.

Our physique is undeniably one of the contributing factors to our social life, thereby given significant attention. But did you know that, our metabolism, which dictates our rate of absorption of nutrients from the food we eat, is also controlled by an endocrine gland? It is the Thyroid gland. It secretes Thyroid hormones which does the job. Conditions of low secretions is called hypothyroidism which causes the slow rate of metabolism and hyperthyroidism  as the exact opposite.

One of the endocrine glands is the adrenal gland. Divided into two, comes adrenal cortex and medulla. It is a fact that, in the adrenal cortex, one hormone with the identity of Aldosterone is being secreted to regulate the flow and concentration of solutes in the body through urine and water regulation. Ions are already involved here; a very good example is Sodium ion.

                    Rank 7. Straight from the Heart               
As discussed above, there are two divisions of the adrenal gland, let us look into the adrenal medulla this time. There are hormones in the adrenal medulla that functions to get involved with the blood pressure, with the flow of blood to the muscles and tissues in preparation to body activity. These hormones are namely, “Epinephrine and norepinephrine”.

             
               
                     Rank 6. You’ll be safe here
  One of the best glands in the body, in my opinion, is the thymus gland since it serves as a maturation site for the natural soldiers of the body, the white blood cells. Knowing that something in your body keeps you guarded is a sigh of relief right? Thanks to the thymus gland.

            
              Rank 5. Sugar we’re going down

   Heard of Diabetes? It is actually Diabetes mellitus, a condition wherein the blood sugar, which by the way is glucose, is overly abundant and is not well regulated by the supposedly regulating organ, the pancreas. This becomes a serious problem today in lieu with the severing increase in lifestyle diseases. Insulin, a common knowledge of an injectable medication, is basically a naturally occurring protein which is involved with this. 

               
                    Rank 4. Power of Two


 Adrenalin is also called epinephrine, along with norepinephrine in the adrenal gland. This two are involved in the “Fight or Flight” response during vigorous physical activity. Also as a common term, adrenalin rush is undeniably involved with endocrinology. Why you don’t know?

                     Rank 3. Touch my Body


  The skin, aside from the first line of defense of the body, also serves to show off status in the society. A very good example of an issue to this is Racism, this time involving black and white and Caucasians etc.  There is a hormone produced by the Anterior Pituitary Gland that is being secreted to control melanocyte production. This is the Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH). Overproduction of this would lead to dark skin.

              
                      Rank 2. If I were a Boy


 Did you know that hormones are also involved in the development of secondary sex characteristics during puberty? These hormones are also stimulating the sperm cell production in males, uterine and mammary development in females and the milk “let-down” in lactating women. Ovulation and Menstrual cycles are also not occurring without the aid of these hormones called Luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone.

                      Rank 1. It Might be You

   We came to the 1^st and top idea which is surprisingly in to endocrinology stuff. The feelings of Love. In animals, they are finding their mates by attracting them with the release of so called “pheromones”.  I’m not sure though if it also goes the same with humans since I don’t have any prior knowledge to it. Would chemicals stimulate our thinking? Would just those influence our behavior, feelings and attraction to the opposite sex? Questions, there are so many questions. But I would update you on that, so keep your bookmark of this site. LOL.

See? These are just some of the many things involving the Endocrinology. It is really a good topic of interest to advancing our knowledge of the human health in relation to the Philippine clinical setting. Stay updated! Ciao!

References:
1. Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology 6th edition, Seeley et.al.