The Human Endocrine System:
The endocrine system exerts chemical control over the human body by maintaining the body's internal environment. It also provides homeostasis by working with the nervous system to affect growth, maturation, reproduction, metabolism, human behaviour, and health of the entire body.
Endocrine glands are ductless glands. They secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream, which then travel to the target organs. The major glands that make up the human endocrine system are the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroids, adrenals, pineal body, and the ovaries and testes. The pancreas is also part of this hormone-secreting system, even though it is also associated with the digestive system because it also produces and secretes digestive enzymes. Although the endocrine glands are the body's main hormone producers, some non-endocrine organs — such as the brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, thymus, skin, and placenta — also produce and release hormones.
What the Endocrine System Does
Once a hormone is secreted, it travels from the gland through the bloodstream to target cells designed to receive its message. When the hormone reaches its target cell, it locks onto the cell's specific receptors and these hormone-receptor combinations transmit chemical instructions to the inner workings of the cell.
When hormone levels reach a certain normal or necessary amount, further secretion is controlled by important body mechanisms to maintain that level of hormone in the blood. This regulation of hormone secretion may involve the hormone itself or another substance in the blood related to the hormone.
The Major Chakras:
The chakras operate like valves that channel the electrical current of the Universal Life Force into the body. The positions of the seven chakras coincide approximately with the positions of the glands in the endocrine system.
Root (1st)
The endocrine system exerts chemical control over the human body by maintaining the body's internal environment. It also provides homeostasis by working with the nervous system to affect growth, maturation, reproduction, metabolism, human behaviour, and health of the entire body.
Endocrine glands are ductless glands. They secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream, which then travel to the target organs. The major glands that make up the human endocrine system are the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroids, adrenals, pineal body, and the ovaries and testes. The pancreas is also part of this hormone-secreting system, even though it is also associated with the digestive system because it also produces and secretes digestive enzymes. Although the endocrine glands are the body's main hormone producers, some non-endocrine organs — such as the brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, thymus, skin, and placenta — also produce and release hormones.
What the Endocrine System Does
Once a hormone is secreted, it travels from the gland through the bloodstream to target cells designed to receive its message. When the hormone reaches its target cell, it locks onto the cell's specific receptors and these hormone-receptor combinations transmit chemical instructions to the inner workings of the cell.
When hormone levels reach a certain normal or necessary amount, further secretion is controlled by important body mechanisms to maintain that level of hormone in the blood. This regulation of hormone secretion may involve the hormone itself or another substance in the blood related to the hormone.
The Major Chakras:
The chakras operate like valves that channel the electrical current of the Universal Life Force into the body. The positions of the seven chakras coincide approximately with the positions of the glands in the endocrine system.
Root (1st)
- Location: at the base of then spine, near the rectum - between anus and genitals
- Endocrine System(s) Governed: The Adrenal Glands, The Kidneys
Sacral (2nd)
- Location: Approximately 2 inches below belly button, from the top of pelvis to navel
- Endocrine System(s) Governed: The Adrenal Glands, The Kidneys, The Ovaries, The Testicles
Solar Plexus (3rd)
- Location: above the navel, behind the Solar Plexus, between navel and base of sternum
- Endocrine System(s) Governed: The Adrenal Glands, The Kidneys, The Pancreas
Heart (4th)
- Location: Center of chest and upper back
- Endocrine System(s) Governed: The Thymus
Throat (5th)
- Location: Centre of the throat at base of neck
- Endocrine System(s) Governed: The Thyroid, The Parathyroid, The Hypothalamus
Third Eye (6th)
- Location: located in the centre of the forehead, a little lower to the eye brows on most people
- Endocrine System(s) Governed: The Hypothalamus, The Pituitary Gland, The Pineal Gland
Crown (7th)
- Location: about 3 inches directly above the top of the head – crown, aura, halo
- Endocrine System(s) Governed: The Pineal Gland
The Adrenal Glands
Where are they? Each gland is perched on each of the kidneys.
What do they do?
- Functionally, they take instruction from the pituitary glands, and have important effects on physical characteristics, development and growth.
- Physically, the outer region secretes hormones which have important effects on the way in which energy is stored and food is used, on chemicals in the blood, and on characteristics such as hairiness and body shape. The smaller, inner region is part of the sympathetic nervous system and is the body's first line of defence and response to physical and emotional stresses.
Chakra Functions:
This chakra represents the protection center - where the body holds onto the karmic lessons for this lifetime. It links the spiritual blueprint to the physical embodiment.
What hormones do they secrete?
- Hydrocortisone hormone: AKA cortisol, controls body's use of fats, proteins, & carbohydrates.
- Corticosterone: together with hydrocortisone hormones, suppresses inflammatory reactions in the body & affects the immune system.
- Aldosterone hormone: inhibits the level of sodium excreted into the urine, maintaining blood volume and blood pressure.
- Androgenic steroids (androgen hormones): minor effects on the development of male characteristics.
- Epinephrine (also called Adrenaline): increases the heart rate and force of heart contractions, facilitates blood flow to the muscles and brain, causes relaxation of smooth muscles, helps with conversion of glycogen to glucose in the liver.
- Norepinephrine (also called Noradrenaline): minor effects on smooth muscle, metabolic processes, & cardiac output. Has strong vasoconstrictive effects, thereby increasing blood pressure.
The Hypothalamus
Where is it? lower central part of the brain
What does it do?
Where is it? lower central part of the brain
What does it do?
- Functionally, this is often called the "master gland" because it makes hormones that control several other endocrine glands.
- Physically, nerve cells in the hypothalamus control the pituitary gland by producing chemicals that either stimulate or suppress hormone secretions from the pituitary.
Chakra Functions:
Also known as the location of the "third eye", this chakra is considered to be the gateway to the higher self. It reflects the oneness of the individual spirit with the oneness of the Universal Divine Spirit. This is also where you receive spiritual communications through vision or ethereal sight. This is where you "see" from a psychic perspective; much like the solar plexus "feels" from a psychic perspective.
What hormones does it secrete?
- Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH): When it reaches the anterior lobe of the pituitary it stimulates the release there of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and prolactin (PRL)
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH): secretion at the onset of puberty triggers sexual development and from then on it is essential for normal sexual physiology of both males and females.
- Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH): stimulates cells in the anterior lobe of the pituitary to secrete growth hormone (GH)
- Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH): acts on cells in the anterior lobe of the pituitary to release adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
- Somatostatin: acts on the anterior lobe of the pituitary to inhibit the release of growth hormone (GH) and to inhibit the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
- Dopamine: inhibits the release of prolactin (PRL) from the anterior lobe of the pituitary.
The Kidneys
Where are they? Two bean-shaped organs, one on each side of the backbone.
What do they do?
- Functionally, the kidneys are one of the major homeostatic devices of the body – meaning they keep balance within the body and allow the body to maintain ‘status quo”.
- Physically, they continuously regulate the chemical composition of the blood within very specific and narrow limits.
Chakra Functions:
This chakra is the rejuvenation center. It helps the spiritual body heal itself after a karmic lesson has been successfully resolved, or when too much energy is put out to others or to a situation.
What hormones do they secrete?
- Erythropoietin: stimulates bone marrow to produce red blood cells
- Renin: regulates the body’s mean arterial blood pressure
- Calcitriol: increases kidney absorption of calcium
The Pituitary Gland
Where is it? In the center of the skull, just behind the bridge of the nose
What does it do?
- Functionally, this is the link between the nervous system and the endocrine system.
- Physically, the pituitary gland releases hormones which affect growth, sexual development, metabolism and the system of reproduction.
Chakra Functions:
Also known as the location of the "third eye", this chakra is considered to be the gateway to the higher self. It reflects the oneness of the individual spirit with the oneness of the Universal Divine Spirit. This is also where you receive spiritual communications through vision or ethereal sight. This is where you "see" from a psychic perspective; much like the solar plexus "feels" from a psychic perspective.
What hormones does it secrete?
Anterior Pituitary Lobe:
- Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone (ACTH): produced in response to biological stress
- Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH): stimulates the thyroid to produce two hormones (triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4)) that assist in metabolism
- Luteinising Hormone (LH): in females, triggers ovulation, in males stimulates the production of Testosterone
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH): in males and females, regulates the development, growth, maturation, and reproductive processes of the human body
- Prolactin (PRL): activates milk production in women who are breastfeeding
- Growth Hormone (GH): stimulates the growth of bone and other body tissues and plays a role in the body's handling of nutrients and minerals
- Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone (MSH): stimulate the production and release of melanin in skin and hair. MSH released into the brain also has effects on appetite and sexual arousal.
Posterior Pituitary Lobe
- Anti-Diuretic Hormone (ADH): helps control body water balance through effect on the kidneys & urine output
- Oxytocin: triggers the contractions of the uterus that occur during labour
Thymus
Where is it? upper part of the chest, behind the breastbone, & is made up of two lobes that join in front of the trachea
What does it do?
- Functionally, the thymus is another homeostatic gland, one that ensures that the body creates and secretes specific infection-fighting “soldiers” when the body is in need of infection control
- Physically, the thymus transforms white blood cells developed in the bone marrow into cells developed in the thymus - these cells are then transported to various lymph glands, where they play an important part in fighting infections and disease.
Chakra Function:
It synthesizes the spiritual and physical natures in harmony, love and compassion. This is the center of unconditional love both internal to the individual person and external to others and situations that occur in ones life. It is considered to be the center of Divine love or creation/expression of Divine love.
What hormones does it secrete?
- Thymosin: Activates the immune system by activating the T-Cells
Thyroid
Where is it? thyroid is located in the front part of the lower neck
What does it do?
- Functionally, the thyroid regulates the rate of metabolism, and affects the growth and rate of function of many other systems in the body.
- Physically, the thyroid controls how quickly the body burns energy, makes proteins, and controls how sensitive the body should be to other hormones.
Chakra Functions:
This chakra represents the Will center or the center of choice. It is the coming together of the higher and lower chakras creating the sound of choice, what you say or want to say, whither it's vocalized or not. It is the source where spiritual will blends with physical choices.
What hormones does it secrete?
Thyroxin: regulation of the body's Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), which is the amount of energy the body uses, just to ‘tick over’
Calcitonin: helps to regulate the levels of calcium and phosphate in the blood
Parathyroids
Where are they? four tiny glands attached to the thyroid
What do they do?
- Functionally, the parathyroids control the level of calcium in the blood
- Physically, when blood calcium levels drop below a certain point, calcium-sensing receptors in the parathyroid gland are activated to release hormone into the blood.
Chakra Functions:
See Thyroid
What hormones do they secrete?
- Parathormone (PTH): Associated with the growth of muscle and bone and is responsible for the distribution of calcium and phosphate in the body
The Pineal Gland
Where is it? in the middle of the brain
What does it do?
- Functionally, the pineal gland regulates the sleep/wake patterns and helps the body to adjust to its natural circadian rhythms
- Physically, the pineal gland produces a hormone that affects the modulation of the wake/sleep patterns and photoperiodic (seasonal) functions
Chakra Functions:
Located at the top of the head, it represents the beginning. This is a person's connection to the cosmic consciousness and their conscious connection to their super conscious or Divine Self mind.
What hormones does it secrete?
- Melatonin: a hormone that helps to regulate the wake-sleep cycle.
Ovaries
Where are they? a pair of glands which lie on either side of the uterus and just below the opening to the fallopian tubes
What do they do?
- Functionally, the ovaries regulate the menstrual cycle and pregnancy and control the development of female body characteristics, such as the breasts, body shape, and body hair
- Physically, the ovaries produce the main female hormones and in addition, each month, during the menstrual cycle, an egg is released from one ovary
Chakra Functions:
This chakra governs security and the grounding of ones energies. This is the security of the soul in this embodiment for guarantee of physical health, well-being and survival.
What hormones do they secrete?
- Estrogen: Control of female sexual development; Promotion of the growth of female secondary sexual characteristics at puberty; Stimulation of egg (ovum) production; Preparation of the lining of the uterus for pregnancy; In conjunction with progesterone, regulation of the growth and functioning of sex organs for sexual reproduction;
- Progesterone: Builds up and maintains the uterus wall for embedding of fertilized egg; Associated with secondary sexual characteristics, e.g. body hair, breast enlargement, changes in physical body.
Testicles
Where are they? They reside in the scrotum (sac) that hangs under the penis
What do they do?
- Functionally, the testes regulate the production of sperm and control male characteristics, for example. body hair, muscle development, voice change.
- Physically, the testes produce sperm and the male sex hormone
Chakra Functions:
This chakra governs security and the grounding of ones energies. This is the security of the soul in this embodiment for guarantee of physical health, well-being and survival.
What hormones do they secrete?
- Testosterone: Development and function of male sex organs.
Pancreas
Where is it? lies across and behind the stomach
What does it do?
- Functionally, the pancreas regulates the internal blood sugar levels by producing hormones in reaction to foods ingested
- Physically, the pancreas secretes digestive juices that break down fats, carbohydrates, proteins and acids; secretes bicarbonate, which neutralizes stomach acid as it enters the duodenum
Chakra Functions:
This chakra governs how we honour our physical kingdom. It helps us to maintain our physical nature in balance with our spiritual natures. Helping to ensure we are caring for both to live as a balanced healthy 'whole' individual.
What hormones does it secrete?
- Glucagon: conversion of glycogen to glucose
- Insulin: regulates the use of glucose into all the body tissues except the brain
• Web sites referenced for research of Endocrine System: http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/uvahealth/adult_endocrin/adrengl.cfm http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/uvahealth/adult_endocrin/adrengl.cfm http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/H/Hypothalamus.html
http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/H/Hypothalamus.htl http://www.becomehealthynow.com/article/bodyendocrine/734/ http://www.becomehealthynow.com/article/bodyendocrine/734/ http://www.ivy-rose.co.uk/HumanBody/Endocrine/Endocrine_Glands.php http://library.thinkquest.org/07aug/01618/endocrine.html http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/body_basics/endocrine.html http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/186893/human-endocrine-system http://www.innerbody.com/image/endoov.html
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