INTRODUCTION The basis of secretions of endocrine gland, mechanism of hormone actions, hormone secretion and actions of hormones secreted by anterior, intermediate and posterior lobe of pituitary gland, hormonal level and hypothalamic control of hormone secretion and pathological diseases related to abnormal hormone secretion will be discussed in the chapter. Detailed account of physiology of growth hormone, vasopressin and oxytocin should be meticulously learned The glands of the body may be divided into those with an internal secretion (endocrine glands) and those with an external secretion (exocrine glands). Examples of exocrine glands are the sweat, lacrimal and mammary glands which pass their secretion along ducts to the external surface of the body, and the glands of the mouth, stomach and intestines whose secretions are passed along ducts into the alimentary tract. On the other hand, the endocrine (ductless) glands do not possess any ducts or openings to the exterior. Two systems are empowered with this act of coordination for body to function as a harmonious unit; they are the nervous and endocrine systems. The endocrine (Greek, endon = within; crinein = to set apart) system consists of a number of ductless glands (Fig. 70.1) which manufacture certain chemical Hypothalamus Pituitary Anterior lobe Posterior lobe Endocrine glands produce hormones (chemical messengers) which are passed into blood stream for general circulation to excite or inhibit activities of other organs or tissues.
MD, DIH, FPGDMLE, PGDHA is currently Professor and Head, Department of Physiology, and Dean (Examination), All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bibinagar, Hyderabad. Earlier, he was Professor and Head, Department of Physiology, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, UP. He did his MBBS from Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sewagram, Wardha, and MD from Indira Gandhi Government Medical College, Nagpur. In addition, he has received the Fellowship from Royal Society of Biology (London), Fellowship from Royal Society of Public Health (London) and Fellowship of Academy of Medical Educators (Cardiff). He has also completed his Post Graduate Diploma in Medical Law and Ethics from NLSU Bangalore, DIH from Annamalai University, Post Graduate Diploma in Hospital Administration from Algappa University and MA in Public Administration from Nagpur University. He has 27 years of standing experience in the medical profession which includes 23 years of experience as faculty and 4 years as medical officer/private practitioner. He has been the UG–PG assessors for Medical Council of India 2011–2019 and is the UG–PG assessor for National Medical Commission, New Delhi, 2019 onwards; President, Association of Physiologists of India, UP Chapter (2019-2020); Finance Secretary, Association of Physiologists of India (2014–2016); and member of various international and national scientific societies. He has conducted and supervised around 30 research projects including 8 funded projects and delivered more than 50 guest lectures at national and international levels at various scientific meetings. He has to his credit over 80 research papers published in national and international journals and written 8 textbooks in physiology. He is dedicated academician, excellent orator, excellent teacher and administrator, as well as author par excellence.