Humans have climbed the world’s highest peaks, explored the deepest oceans, gone to the moon, and are on their way to Mars. However, we know very little about ourselves, and there are still many unsolved mysteries. For example, the glands in the human body, although they occupy a very small place in the human body, their role is crucial. Many people do not know much about their silent work, so let’s unravel the mystery of human glands. There are many glands in the human body. Glands are the tissues in the body that produce special substances. These substances are mainly hormones, and glands are divided into exocrine and endocrine glands. The secretions of exocrine glands are transported through ducts to the corresponding tissues or organs to play their regulatory role. The main exocrine glands in the human body are sweat glands, sebaceous glands, salivary glands, liver, etc. Endocrine glands do not have excretory ducts and secrete secretions called hormones, which are transported to various tissues or organs by blood and lymph. They are mainly pituitary, thyroid, adrenal and gonads. Although it is not said that “glands are not trivial”, but many dangerous diseases are related to the glands, so in order not to damage them in no time, let us listen to their “confession” or very necessary. 1, the pituitary gland: the hub of endocrine (1) my autobiography I am located in the pituitary fossa at the base of the skull, is a stalked oval-shaped body, about 1 cm long, about 1 to 1.5 cm wide, about 0.5 cm high, weighing about 0.5 grams. It consists of two parts, the glandular part and the neural part, and is connected to the lower part of the thalamus by the pituitary stalk. I am an important endocrine gland in the human body and has a regulatory role for many endocrine glands, and its own endocrine activities are directly controlled by the hypothalamus, so it occupies a pivotal position in the interaction of the nervous system and endocrine. (2) My contribution I am very powerful, I can secrete many kinds of hormones. For example, I secrete thyroid stimulating hormone, which acts on the thyroid gland. It causes the thyroid gland to enlarge and the production and secretion of thyroxine to increase. The lack of this hormone will cause symptoms of hypothyroidism; also secretes growth hormone related to bone growth, however, if lacking in early childhood, it will interrupt the growth of long bones, forming dwarfism; if there is an excess, the whole body will be overgrown with long bones, forming gigantism. In addition, I also secrete antidiuretic hormone, which is a hormone produced by certain nerve cells in the hypothalamus and transported and stored in the pituitary gland. It acts on the kidneys to promote water reabsorption and regulate water metabolism. In the absence of this hormone, polyuria occurs, called uremia. In high doses, it constricts blood vessels and raises blood pressure, so it is also known as vasopressin. I also secrete lactotropin, which promotes mammary gland proliferation and milk production and secretion; and gonadotropins, which promote androgen and estrogen secretion, follicle and sperm maturation, including follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. By the way, I also secrete the very important adrenocorticotropic hormone, which is commonly referred to as the life-preserving hormone, which mainly acts on the bundle and reticular zone of the adrenal cortex to promote the secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormones. If it is deficient, it will show the same symptoms as Addison’s disease, but without the skin pigmentation. Well ……, do you think I am very powerful yo, and what’s more, I also secrete oxytocin, a hormone similar to antidiuretic hormone, also produced by certain nerve cells in the hypothalamus, which stimulates uterine contractions and promotes milk discharge. In addition to the above hormones, I also secrete parathyroid hormone, melatonin, and so on. Haha, I’m great, right! (3) My annoying things If a tumor grows in my body, the endocrine function of the whole body will be changed, and the metabolism of the body and the corresponding organs will also undergo some pathological changes, and this pathological change will bring about many clinical symptoms. The tumor can wrap around the pituitary gland or grow out of the pituitary gland, squeezing it and causing abnormal pituitary gland function. Therefore, people must pay attention to the relevant symptoms and go to hospital for treatment in time. 2, thyroid gland: the body’s largest endocrine gland (1) my biography I am located in the neck on both sides of the lower front of the trachea, butterfly-shaped, brown-red, weighing about 20 to 40 g. Divided into two lateral lobes, the middle is connected to the isthmus, the isthmus across the front of the second to fourth tracheal cartilage, can move up and down with swallowing. Under normal circumstances, I am neither visible nor palpable in the neck because I am very small and thin. If I can be palpated in the neck, I am considered to be developing enlargement even if I cannot be seen. I consist of many follicles of varying sizes. The walls of the follicles are a single layer of cuboidal epithelial cells, which are the secretory cells of the glands, and the lumen of the follicles has gelatinous material, which is the storage material secreted by the glandular cells. (2) My contribution My physiological functions are mainly in the following areas, let me give you a brief report here. The thyroid hormones I secrete play an important role in the anabolism and catabolism of various nutrients such as carbohydrates (sugars), fats and proteins, thus maintaining the physiological activities of various cells. Under normal conditions, thyroid hormone mainly promotes protein synthesis, especially protein synthesis in bone, skeletal muscle and liver, which increases significantly. However, excessive secretion of thyroid hormone, on the contrary, causes massive protein breakdown, especially in skeletal muscle, and thus wasting and weakness. In terms of glucose metabolism, thyroid hormone has the effect of promoting the absorption of sugar and the breakdown of liver glycogen. It also promotes the utilization of sugar by peripheral tissues. In addition, thyroid hormone increases the oxygen consumption rate of most tissues and increases the thermogenic effect. The basal metabolic rate is increased in patients with hyperthyroidism; while it is decreased in patients with hypothyroidism. In short, it accelerates sugar and fat metabolism, especially promoting the process of sugar, fat and protein catabolism and oxidation in many tissues, thus increasing the oxygen consumption and heat production of the body. I also has the effect of promoting growth and development. Because the thyroid hormone secreted by me mainly promotes the metabolic process, it can make the body grow and develop normally, especially for the development of bones and the nervous system, which has obvious promotion effect. Therefore, if children have hypothyroidism during the growth period, they are stunted, mentally retarded and physically short, which is clinically known as cretinism. In addition, I also participate in the development and maturation of the gonads, maintaining normal testicular spermatogenesis and ovarian ovulation. I am also an “expert” in increasing the excitability of the nervous system. Thyroxine has the effect of increasing the excitability of the nervous system, especially for the sympathetic nervous system, and thyroid hormone can act directly on the heart muscle to increase the contractility of the heart muscle and speed up the heart rate. Therefore, patients with hyperthyroidism often show easy excitement, insomnia, tachycardia and excessive sweating. I am the most important endocrine organ in the body, and if I am damaged, it can bring about many diseases. If I secrete too much it can lead to hyperthyroidism. The main manifestations are: weakness, protruding eyes, panic, fear of heat, excessive sweating, excessive eating, weight loss, and hand trembling. It can also cause heart disease, diabetes, liver function damage and loss of libido, etc. If too little secretion will lead to hypothyroidism. The main manifestations are: fatigue, drowsiness, slow movement, slow pulse and heartbeat, decreased body temperature, slurred speech, sluggish sensation, body fat and menstrual disorders. 3. Parathyroid glands: the “behind-the-scenes manipulators” of calcium and phosphorus metabolism (1) My autobiography I have four of them, located on the back of the two lobes of the thyroid gland, sometimes hidden in the thyroid parenchyma. They are generally divided into two pairs and are brownish-yellow flat ovals, about 3-8 mm long, 2-5 mm wide and 0.5-2 mm thick, each weighing about 35-50 mg. The surface of my body has a thin layer of connective tissue peritoneum, glandular cells arranged in corpuscles, which are rich in pore capillaries and a small amount of connective tissue, but also visible scattered fat cells, and increases with age. There are two kinds of glandular cells: main cells and eosinophils. (2) My contribution The main function of parathyroid hormone secreted by me is to influence the metabolism of mass calcium and phosphorus in the body, to mobilize calcium from bone, to increase the concentration of calcium ions in the blood, and also to act on the intestine and renal tubules to increase the absorption of calcium, thus maintaining the stability of blood calcium. Normal secretion of parathyroid hormone keeps the calcium in the blood from becoming too low and the blood phosphorus from becoming too high, thus maintaining the appropriate ratio of calcium to phosphorus in the blood. If my secretion is low, the blood calcium concentration decreases and hand-foot convulsions occur; if it is hyperfunctional, it causes excessive bone resorption and makes fractures easy to occur. A dysfunctional parathyroid gland can cause an abnormal ratio of calcium to phosphorus in the blood. (3) My annoyance There are many reasons for my injury, such as: idiopathic parathyroid hypo This disease is seen at all ages, the cause is unknown at this time, and may be autoimmune, often combined with other autoimmune diseases such as Addison’s disease, Hashimoto’s disease, hyperthyroidism, pernicious anemia, or secondary candidiasis. It is also possible to remove or injure me during total thyroidectomy. If the thyroid is only partially removed or the blood supply is temporarily inadequate, it can recover on its own in a few weeks; if most or all of it is removed it can cause permanent insufficiency. In addition, neck inflammation or trauma can also damage me, and then such as infiltrative lesions, tumors can destroy my health. 4, thymus: human life “gland” (1) my biography I am located behind the sternum, close to the heart, gray-red, soft, flat oval, divided into two lobes, left and right, composed of lymphatic tissue. I weigh about 10 to 15 grams at birth, up to 30 to 35 grams at puberty, then I will gradually shrink and degenerate with age, and by the age of 50, only about 1.5 grams remain, and most of my body has been replaced by fat. I am the organ that dominates the body’s immune system, secreting hormones that can enhance human immune function and play a very important role in preventing cancer, fighting infection and slowing down aging. (2) My contribution I am the main immune organ of the human body, and the thymosin secreted by me constructs a protective network for our whole organism to resist and defend against all detrimental damages to the organism, including aging factors and disease-causing factors. During the embryonic period, I am also a hematopoietic organ. In adulthood lymphocytes, plasma cells and myeloid cells can be produced. My reticuloepithelial cells secrete thymosin, which promotes the production and maturation of T cells with immune function and inhibits the synthesis and release of acetylcholine from motor nerve endings. Therefore, when I have a tumor, it can lead to myasthenia gravis due to increased thymosin, which can lead to neuromuscular conduction disorders. (3) My annoyance As a person ages, I will gradually atrophy. My premature retirement will cause the concentration of thymosin in the human body to decrease greatly, and the immune function and ability to fight diseases will become worse and worse, which will lead to diseases and affect the life span of people. 5, the liver: the body’s “chemical plant” (1) my autobiography I am the largest gland in the body, but also the largest substantive organs, but also the body’s “chemical plant”. I stay in the upper right part of the abdominal cavity, I have a certain amount of space to move, can move up and down with the change of position and whistling, up to 2-3 cm. Under normal circumstances my weight is about 1200-1600 grams, soft and brittle, brownish-red in color. (2) My contribution I am the largest digestive gland in the body, playing the role of a chemical factory, people eat in the grains and cereals, eat in the medicine, are processed here in me. I am also the largest “cleaner” in the human body: the toxins and wastes produced by the body must rely on me to detoxify. I was described as “the body’s largest chemical plant”, every moment in the participation of a variety of catalytic enzymes, a variety of chemical reactions. Carbohydrates are the body’s main source of calories, 80% of the grains and cereals are carbohydrates, mainly starch. Starch is one of the polysaccharides. After polysaccharides enter the digestive tract, they are digested and hydrolyzed into glucose before they are absorbed into me and then used by the body. After glucose is absorbed by me, a small part of it is synthesized into “glycogen” and stored for future use; the majority of glucose enters the blood circulation and becomes blood sugar, which is used by the body’s tissues and cells. When a person is fasting, or in case of strenuous exercise, I will break down the stored liver glycogen into glucose for the body’s urgent needs. In addition, I can convert certain non-carbohydrate substances, such as proteins and fats, into glycogen or glucose. I also have an important role in the digestion, absorption, decomposition, synthesis and transport of fats. I can secrete bile to facilitate the digestion and absorption of fats. I use glucose and certain amino acids to synthesize fats, cholesterol and phospholipids, which are the main sources of cholesterol and phospholipids in the blood. When a person is starving, stored fats are mobilized to me for catabolism, which is the reason why people gradually lose weight in starvation conditions. I can synthesize most of the plasma proteins in addition to the various proteins I need. When I am sick, plasma protein decreases, and edema or thoracoabdominal fluid occurs. I also have special detoxification function, which can turn toxic substances or drugs that enter the body into non-toxic or highly soluble substances and excrete them with bile or urine, so that the organism is protected from harm. In addition, I can also regulate fat metabolism, hormone metabolism and vitamin metabolism, etc. If something goes wrong with me, the consequences can be imagined. (3) What bothers me I am actually very fragile and vulnerable to all kinds of damage. Under normal circumstances, our liver is brittle and thin, very “slim”, and it is very difficult for fat cells to fit in. However, in today’s gourmand world, the food treats and excessive nutrition put a lot of pressure on me and forced me to change my lifestyle from being a “hedonist” to being a “model worker” until I developed “overwork”. overworked”. I was also very afraid that the owner was an alcoholic. The high concentration of alcohol made me work overtime to detoxify. Although I also mobilized my heart and kidneys to help, I still felt overwhelmed. Because of my limited capacity, I suffered fatal damage to many of my cells. I was also afraid of infections, the most familiar types of hepatitis viruses, including hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. Infections with these viruses were very difficult to cure me from. I am also afraid of medicine, people are now using more and more varieties of drugs, and many abuses are causing me more and more damage. In addition, I am very afraid of violent blows, which often leave me with huge injuries and cause hemorrhagic shock. Talking about my annoyance is really a lot, but this irresponsible behavior of people towards me will surely be punished by me severely. 6, the pancreas: both inside and outside the credit (1) my autobiography I am the second largest gland in the human body after the liver buddy, I am in the back of the stomach, lying behind the peritoneum, prismatic; appearance of grayish red or yellowish, soft texture; the surface is covered with a transparent thin layer of peritoneal organs. Generally about 15 to 18 cm long, 3 to 4 cm wide, 1.5 to 2.5 cm thick, weighing 60 to 100 g. The right end of me is enlarged and forms a hook-like protrusion downward as the head of the pancreas and the hook; the slightly thinner part downward is the neck of the pancreas; I gradually become narrower to the left to form the tail of the pancreas; the part between the neck and tail of the pancreas is the body of the pancreas. (2) My contribution I am one of the most important organs in the human body, a gland with both endocrine and exocrine functions, and it can be said that my existence is crucial to life. I have two major functions: endocrine and exocrine. I can secrete important digestive juices of the body, including amylase, trypsin, lipase, peptidase, elastase and chymotrypsin, which all enter the intestine in the form of enzymes in the pancreatic duct and are activated to participate in the digestion and absorption of nutrients. Pancreatic amylase breaks down starch into glucose; pancreatic and chymotrypsin are involved in protein breakdown; pancreatic lipase breaks down fat into glycerol and fatty acids. My endocrine function means that the islets in my body contain a variety of functional endocrine cells – A cells, B cells, D cells and PP cells. A cells secrete glucagon; B cells secrete insulin; D cells secrete growth inhibitory hormone; PP cells are few in number and secrete pancreatic polypeptides. Glucagon has a strong role in promoting glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis, causing a significant increase in blood glucose; insulin mainly promotes the uptake and utilization of glucose by tissues and cells, accelerates the synthesis of glucose into glycogen, which is stored in liver and muscle, and inhibits gluconeogenesis, promotes the transformation of glucose into fatty acids, which is stored in adipose tissue, leading to a decrease in blood glucose levels, in addition to regulating the metabolism of fat and protein; Growth inhibitor can inhibit the secretion of growth hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, insulin and glucagon; pancreatic polypeptide inhibits gastrointestinal motility, pancreatic juice secretion and gallbladder contraction. Now you should understand my pivotal position in the process of nutrient digestion and absorption. (3) My worries To be honest, I am most afraid of the festive season, when people gather together and enjoy wine and food, but I am most miserable at this time. The result of overeating, too much fatty food and drinking a lot of alcohol first caused me to become congested and oedematous, and then became acutely inflamed and necrotic, causing me to die. If I hadn’t been taken to the hospital in time, I would have died. In addition to fear of binge drinking, I am also afraid of fierce impact, which often makes me suffer a lot of injuries, the consequences are also very serious, many people have lost their lives because I was traumatized. 7, adrenal glands: your emotions I make the decision (1) my autobiography I am wearing two small hats on both sides of the kidneys. The left adrenal gland is half-moon shaped and the right adrenal gland is triangular in shape. My total weight is 10-15 grams and I am composed of two parts: the peripheral cortex and the central medulla. My medulla secretes adrenaline and I am an expert in regulating emotions. (2) My contribution When people are angry or fearful, my adrenaline secretion will be greatly increased, it will make you cross-eyed, pupils dilated, hair erect, angry, just like a majestic look. Adrenaline causes the liver glycogen stored in the liver to be converted into glucose and released into the bloodstream to increase the amount of sugar in the blood. It also prompts a faster heartbeat, slows down intestinal movements, and causes the blood vessels in the muscles to dilate, increasing the amount of blood to enhance the contraction power of the muscles so that they can cope with the incoming enemy. My cortex mainly secretes salt corticosteroids (the main component is aldosterone) and glucocorticoids. Various cells in the body have receptors for corticosteroids, which are the messengers standing in front of the cells to receive my hormonal orders. For example, when my hormone commands reach liver cells and are transmitted into the cells, the liver cells will follow the orders to enhance the uptake of fatty acids, amino acids and sugars and accelerate the synthesis of glycogen; while my hormones reach muscle and adipose tissue, they will promote enhanced catabolism in these cells. In addition, glucocorticoids have a strong inhibitory effect on the body’s immune system. Athletes are not allowed to use prohibited drugs, in fact, that is my adrenocorticotropin. I also have many beneficial functions for the body, including maintaining the normal physiological functioning of the body and regulating the metabolism of blood sugar, protein, fat, and electrolytes. If my cortex proliferates and secretes too much corticosteroid, a person will have coarse body hair, a cluster of seat sores, and a series of symptoms such as increased blood pressure, reduced sexual function, and even emotional instability. The most common cause of my impairment is the excessive use of a drug called cortisone, which can cause me to shrink and lose function over time. It is easy to maintain good function by avoiding nervousness and chronic mental stress, because in a stressful situation I have to work twice as hard and under constant pressure, which of course impairs my function. In addition, bad eating habits, smoking, alcohol and drug abuse can also lead to the failure of my function. 8. Ovaries: the source of a woman’s life (1) My autobiography I am the largest female gonad, the main organ that expels eggs and secretes estrogen. I receive instructions from the pituitary gland and its hypothalamus, and accomplish my mission under the control of luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone. I am located on each side of the uterus and varies in size and shape depending on age. The normal ovary size in adult women is about 2 to 4 cm long and weighs about 15 grams, which is equivalent to the size of my thumb finger. They are grayish red, tougher and harder, with a flattened oval shape and a convex surface. In young girls, the surface is smooth, and after sexual maturity, the expansion of the follicles and post-ovulatory scarring can cause my surface to tend to be convex and uneven. After menopause, I shrink to 1/2 of my original size. (2) My contribution I secrete hormones such as follicle hormone, progesterone, estrogen and androgen. In addition to maintaining the coordination of the female reproductive endocrine system, in terms of fertility, I have two main functions: ovulation and the formation of the corpus luteum (also called progesterone, estrogen, progesterone or luteinizing hormone, luteinizing hormone) in early pregnancy to maintain the stability of the embryo. The main role of estrogen is to stimulate and maintain the growth and development of the female marital organs and the appearance of secondary sexual characteristics, and also to stimulate the proliferation of the endometrium during the menstrual cycle. The main role of progesterone is to continue the growth of the endometrium and the secretion of glandular tissue in the endometrium to prepare for the fertilized egg to be fixed in the uterus for development, and to inhibit ovulation and the production of menstruation. (3) My annoyance Normally my function starts to decline at the age of about 45 to 50, but due to the excessive mental stress of people nowadays, I become prone to premature aging, which has become an unspeakable problem for women. Due to the premature withdrawal of the sex hormones secreted by me, it can lead to menstrual disorders, amenorrhea, and even the early onset of menopause, and some metabolic disorders that should have occurred during menopause. To make me later old ah, women should eat more vegetables and fruits, to ensure a large number of vitamin E, vitamin B2 absorption, like lotus seeds, black fungus, etc. are very good tonic food, plus adhere to the appropriate physical exercise, women can certainly become younger. 9, the prostate gland: “sex” happy life “gas station” (1) my autobiography I am the prostate gland, stationed in the male owner of the bladder outlet for life. Although not very impressive, but plays a pivotal role of “guardian”. I and the parotid gland, pancreas and other glands belong to the master’s exocrine glands. I am located in the male master pelvis, the bladder, urethra, pubic symphysis, rectum are my good neighbors. Because I am only a board away from the rectum, and a friendly close neighbor. When there is a suspicion that something is wrong with me, doctors often touch me by making a rectal examination and sometimes give me a massage to squeeze out the prostate fluid for examination. I lived a “leisurely” life as an infant, in a state of rest, and without any obligations. It also kneads the semen, slides the urethra, makes the sperm like a tiger, and together they participate in the orgasm of male and female pleasure. The actual fact is that you can find a lot of people who are not able to get a good deal on a lot of things. This is a very good way to get the most out of your life. So, if my master has sex too often, I am vulnerable to infection precisely for this reason. Once I am susceptible to infection and inflammation, it will not only affect the quality of the owner’s semen, affecting the owner’s reproductive capacity, serious cases can lead to the owner’s infertility. At the same time, it can also affect the owner’s “sexual” happiness. This is the so-called “joy and sadness”, counterproductive, so we advise our young master, if you want to masculine long in, usually have to abstain from sex. In addition, I am very afraid of the master to hold urine and eat spicy food, I also can not win the alcohol. The golden time of my life is between 20 and 45 years old. After that, the scenery is no longer, as if the grass to autumn, gradually go downhill, my body began to degenerate, “body” also gradually fat. As my body gets fat, sometimes it encroaches on the territory of my neighbor, the urethra. As you know, there is a section of the urethra that runs through the middle of my body, like a stream in a mountainous region. We have always lived together in harmony, complementing each other and not interfering with each other. But after I reached my “old age”, due to the wide body fat, it is inevitable that the urethra will be pressed and make it deformed and narrow. This will cause the “stream is not smooth”, my master will appear urinary frequency, urinary urgency, urinary difficulties, urinary retention and other symptoms. This not only brings a lot of trouble to my old masters, but also makes their quality of life greatly reduced. For this reason they often go to the hospital, through various ways to my “weight loss”. 10, testicles: men’s “life root” (1) my autobiography I as a “heirloom” important organs, in folklore is called “life root”. I am an important male reproductive gland, the base for sperm production and the site of secretion of a large number of androgens, as well as an important organ for reproduction and maintenance of secondary characteristics. The scrotum is located in the scrotum, one on each side, and starts to grow in size when the boy is 10 years old, weighing about 10 to 20 grams each by the time he reaches sexual maturity. The shape is two slightly flattened ellipsoidal bodies with smooth surfaces and free anterior edges, followed by a tethered membrane. The left testicle is slightly lower than the right. The adult testes are on average about 4 to 5 cm long, 2.5 cm wide, and 3 cm in diameter anteriorly and posteriorly. I grow rapidly with sexual maturity and shrink and become smaller in old age as sexual function declines. (2) My contribution I secrete the male hormone testosterone (testosterone), which mainly promotes the development of the gonads and their accessory structures and the appearance of paraphilias. It also has the role of promoting protein synthesis. The outside of me is wrapped in a tough layer of tissue called the white membrane, which serves to protect the testes. The white membrane thickens and extends inward, separating the me into many small compartments called testicular longitudinal compartments and small chambers called testicular lobules. In normal men, there are usually 200 to 300 lobules, which are filled with testicular parenchyma, the place where sperm are produced, called the varicocele. The tissue located between the seminiferous tubules is lax and is called the interstitium. It is rich in blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. The interstitium is the place where nutrients from the body must be supplied to the varicocele. In addition, there is a kind of cell with the function of secreting androgen, called mesenchymal cell. The androgens they secrete are distributed throughout the body to maintain male sex characteristics and male sexual function, and they also play an important role in promoting the development of spermatogenic cells into sperm and in promoting anabolism in the body. (3) My annoyance Men around 30 years old, if your urinary tract infection is delayed, it will cause germs to enter the epididymis through the lumen of the vas deferens, thus getting epididymitis. It often follows posterior urethritis, prostatitis, and vesiculitis. The location can be unilateral or bilateral, and the attack time can be urgent or slow. In fact, I am also very delicate and if men accidentally damage me, I will have local swelling and bruising.