| Name | Position | Function | Endocrine Disorders |
|---|
| Adrenal cortex | Outer portion of gland on top of each kidney | Cortisol regulates carbohydrate and fat metabolism; aldosterone regulates salt and water balance | Hypofunction: Addison's disease |
| Hyperfunction: Adrenogenital syndrome; Cushing syndrome |
| Adrenal medulla | Inner portion of adrenal gland ; surrounded by adrenal cortex | Effects of epinephrine and norepinephrine mimic those of sympathetic nervous system; increases carbohydrate use for energy | Hypofunction: Almost unknown |
| Hyperfunction: Pheochromocytoma |
| Pancreas (endocrine portion) | Abdominal cavity; head adjacent to duodenum; tail close to spleen and kidney | Secretes insulin and glucagon, which regulate carbohydrate metabolism | Hypofunction: Diabetes mellitus |
| Hyperfunction: If a tumor produces excess insulin, hypoglycemia |
| Parathyroid | Four or more small gland s on back of thyroid | Parathyroid hormone regulates calcium and phosphorus metabolism; indirectly affects muscular irritability | Hypofunction: Hypocalcemia; tetany |
| Hyperfunction: Hypercalcemia; resorption of bone; kidney stones; nausea; vomiting; altered mental status |
| Pituitary, anterior | Front portion of small gland below hypothalamus | Influences growth, sexual development, skin pigmentation, thyroid function, adrenocortical function through effects on other endocrine gland s (except for growth hormone, which acts directly on cells) | Hypofunction: Dwarfism in child; decrease in all other endocrine gland functions except parathyroids |
| Hyperfunction: Acromegaly in adult; giantism in child |
| Pituitary, posterior | Back portion of small gland below hypothalamus | Oxytocin increases uterine contraction | Hypofunction: Diabetes insipidus |
| Antidiuretic hormone increases absorption of water by kidney tubule | Hyperfunction: Unknown |
| Testes and ovaries | Testes—in the scrotum | Testosterone and estrogen regulate sexual maturation and development of secondary sex characteristics; some effects on growth | Hypofunction: Lack of sex development or regression in adult |
| Ovaries—in the pelvic cavity | Hyperfunction: Abnormal sex development |
| Thyroid | Two lobes in anterior portion of neck | Thyroxine and T3 increase metabolic rate; influence growth and maturation; calcitonin regulates calcium and phosphorus metabolism | Hypofunction: Cretinism in young; myxedema in adult; goiter |
| Hyperfunction: Goiter; thyrotoxicosis |