Match each endocrine structure in the left column with its correct description from the right column.

Match each endocrine structure in the left column with its correct description from the right column. _ 1. Thyroid follicle Cell that responds to a specific hormone 2. Suprarenal medulla Four oval masses on the posterior thyroid gland 3. Thymic corpuscle Gland attached to the hypothalamus by the infundibulum 4. Zona glomerulosa Produces insulin 5. Parathyroid glands Cells between thyroid follicles 6. Pancreatic acini cells Inner cortical layer of the suprarenal gland 7. Pituitary gland Contains thyroglobulin 8. Master gland Pituitary gland 9. Target gland Found in the thymus gland 10. Pancreatic islets Innermost part of the gland above the kidney 11. Zona reticularis Outer cortical layer of the suprarenal gland _ 12. C cells Exocrine cells of the pancreas Write the name of the hormone next to the abbreviation: FSH – Follicle-stimulating hormone LH – Luteinizing hormone PTH – Parathyroid hormone ADH – Antidiuretic hormone TSH – Thyroid-stimulating hormone MSH – Melanocyte-stimulating hormone T3 – Triiodothyronine T4 – Thyroxine PRL – Prolactin ACTH – Adrenocorticotropic hormon

The Correct Answer and Explanation is:

Let’s go through the matching of the endocrine structures with their descriptions first:

1. Thyroid follicle → Contains thyroglobulin. Thyroid follicles are the functional units of the thyroid gland, where thyroglobulin (the precursor to thyroid hormones) is stored.
2. Suprarenal medulla → Innermost part of the gland above the kidney. The suprarenal medulla is the inner part of the adrenal glands, which sit above the kidneys and release adrenaline and noradrenaline.
3. Thymic corpuscle → Found in the thymus gland. Thymic corpuscles are structures within the thymus involved in the development of T-cells.
4. Zona glomerulosa → Outer cortical layer of the suprarenal gland. This outermost layer of the adrenal cortex produces mineralocorticoids like aldosterone.
5. Parathyroid glands → Four oval masses on the posterior thyroid gland. These glands produce parathyroid hormone (PTH), which regulates calcium levels.
6. Pancreatic acini cells → Exocrine cells of the pancreas. They secrete digestive enzymes into the duodenum.
7. Pituitary gland → Gland attached to the hypothalamus by the infundibulum. The pituitary is a crucial part of the endocrine system, responsible for releasing hormones that regulate other glands.
8. Master gland → Pituitary gland. Often referred to as the “master gland” because it controls many other endocrine glands.
9. Target gland → Cell that responds to a specific hormone. A target gland is the organ or tissue that a hormone acts upon.
10. Pancreatic islets → Produces insulin. The islets of Langerhans in the pancreas are responsible for producing insulin (and glucagon).
11. Zona reticularis → Inner cortical layer of the suprarenal gland. This layer produces androgens, like dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).
12. C cells → Cells between thyroid follicles. C cells in the thyroid gland produce calcitonin, a hormone that helps regulate calcium levels.

Hormone matching:

1. FSH (Follicle-stimulating hormone) – Stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles in females and sperm production in males.
2. LH (Luteinizing hormone) – Triggers ovulation in females and stimulates the production of testosterone in males.
3. PTH (Parathyroid hormone) – Increases calcium levels in the blood by promoting calcium release from bones and reducing calcium excretion in the urine.
4. ADH (Antidiuretic hormone) – Regulates water balance in the body by promoting water reabsorption in the kidneys.
5. TSH (Thyroid-stimulating hormone) – Stimulates the thyroid gland to produce and release thyroid hormones (T3 and T4).
6. MSH (Melanocyte-stimulating hormone) – Stimulates the production of melanin in skin and hair cells.
7. T3 (Triiodothyronine) – One of the thyroid hormones, responsible for regulating metabolism and growth.
8. T4 (Thyroxine) – A thyroid hormone that also regulates metabolism and growth, often converted into T3 in tissues.
9. PRL (Prolactin) – Stimulates milk production in the mammary glands.
10. ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic hormone) – Stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce cortisol.

Explanation:

The endocrine system is a complex network of glands and organs that secrete hormones into the bloodstream, which regulate various bodily functions such as metabolism, growth, and immune response. Each gland produces specific hormones that affect certain target tissues or organs, enabling homeostasis and overall function. The thyroid, for example, plays a central role in metabolism by secreting T3 and T4, while the parathyroid regulates calcium levels with PTH. Similarly, the pituitary gland, known as the “master gland,” controls many other glands, including the adrenal glands and the thyroid, through its hormones like ACTH and TSH. The pancreas is another important organ, producing insulin to regulate blood glucose levels. Understanding the function of each gland and hormone helps in understanding how the body maintains balance and responds to different stimuli.