Question

Diagrammatically indicate the location of the various endocrine glands in our body.

Answer 1

The endocrine system consists of glands widely separated from each other with no physical connections. Endocrine glands are groups of secretory cells surrounded by an extensive network of capillaries that facilitates diffusion of hormones from the secretory cells into the bloodstream.

The endocrine glands in the body are:

1) Pineal gland- located in the epithalamus, near the center of the brain.

2) Pituitary gland- located at the base of the brain, just below the hypothalamus.

3) Hypothalamus- located below the thalamus and above the pituitary gland and brain stem

4) Thyroid gland- located in the neck in front of the larynx and trachea

5) Parathyroid gland- located in the neck in the posterior surface of the thyroid gland

6) Adrenal gland- located on the upper pole of each kidney enclosed within the renal fascia

7) Pancreas- located deep inside the abdomen. The head of the pancreas is on the right side of the abdomen and is connected to the duodenum

8) Ovaries- located in the lower abdomen, laterally to the left and right of the uterus and inferior to the fallopian tubes

9) Testis- located between upper thighs suspended by the spermatic cord in a skin pouch called scrotum

10) Thymus gland- located in the upper anterior part of the chest directly behind the sternum and between the lungs

11) Heart- lies in the thoracic cavity in the mediastinum (space between the lungs)

12) Stomach- located in the superior aspect of the abdomen

13) Kidney- located against the back muscles in the upper abdominal area. The left kidney is located slightly more superior than the right kidney due to the larger size of the liver on the right side of the body.