Endocrine Glands
Endocrine · AnatomySmall glands, loud hormones: hypothalamus → pituitary → thyroid, adrenals, pancreas, gonads.
The structures
- Hypothalamus — Thermostat and master controller
- Pituitary — Relays orders: TSH, ACTH, ADH, growth hormone
- Thyroid — Metabolic rate (T3/T4); sits over the trachea
- Parathyroids — Four rice-grain glands — calcium control
- Adrenal cortex — Cortisol and aldosterone
- Adrenal medulla — Epinephrine and norepinephrine
- Pancreatic islets — Insulin (beta) and glucagon (alpha)
Why it matters on shift
- Post-thyroidectomy: watch calcium — nicked parathyroids cause tingling, then tetany (Chvostek/Trousseau)
- A patient on long-term steroids who gets sick needs MORE steroid, not less — adrenal crisis is real
- Unexplained hypotension + hyponatremia + hyperkalemia = think adrenal insufficiency
Source: Anatomical structures per OpenStax Anatomy & Physiology, 2nd ed. (openstax.org, CC BY 4.0). Educational reference — verify clinical application against your facility's policy.Reference only — verify against your facility's policy.
