Introduction:
Glands are chemical messengers of the body which secrete hormones, saliva, sweat, mucous or acid. The human body needs control over its cells, tissues, and various processes to function orderly and stable, making vital functions like growth, reproduction, and development possible.
What Are the Examples of Other Glands?
-
Concentrated Glands: These are glands that secrete excretions like tears and sweat (kidney and lacrimal glands).
-
Protein or Serous Glands: These glands secrete water-soluble proteins (parotid, pancreas).
-
Mucous Glands: These glands secrete mucus (uterus, esophagus).
-
Heterocrine Glands: These glands produce both serous and mucous secretions.
-
Sebaceous Glands: These glands secrete lipids that do not dissolve in water.
What Is the Normal Physiology of Glands?
Glands are numerous and situated at various parts of the body. They are different in their structure and function. The brain controls the secretions of these glands. The absence of hormone production can lead to deficiency diseases, such as pituitary dwarfism, seen in people who are short-statured due to insufficient growth hormones and insulin insufficiency in the body leading to diabetes. Besides glands, even the individual cells produce enzymes. Sperms produce hyaluronidase enzymes to swim across the uterine tissue wall. Functions carried by glandular secretion include metabolism, digestion, lubrication, and thermoregulation.
What Are the Abnormal Functions Seen in Exocrine Glands of Eyes and Mouth?
Sjogren's Syndrome
The deficiency of the production of enzymes in these areas leads to a condition where dry eyes and dry mouth occur. This is called Sjogren's syndrome. It is an auto-immune disorder. This could be due to an underlying illness, associated illness, or individual condition. Women are seen as at higher risk than men. Some of the underlying conditions are Lupus, scleroderma, and rheumatoid arthritis. It is incurable.
Symptoms of Sjogren’s Syndrome Are
- Dry mouth and eyes.
- Epistaxis - bleeding from the nose.
- Desiccation of the upper respiratory tract leads to dry secretions in the nose.
- Shortness of breath.
- Hoarseness.
- Persistent cough.
- Photophobia and photosensitivity.
- Destruction of both cornea and conjunctiva.
- Progressive keratitis leading to blindness may occur.
- The erythematous fissured appearance of the tongue.
- Peeling of lips with cracks noticed.
- Severe dryness of mouth during nighttime.
- Secondary infections like candidiasis might occur.
- Dental caries.
Management of Sjogren’s Syndrome:
- Use humidifiers to moisturize the airway.
- Prophylaxis of dry mucus.
- Immunization with pneumococcal polysaccharide.
- Antibiotic therapy.
- Irrigating local areas with saline water.
What Are the Abnormal Functions Seen in the Exocrine Gland of the Digestive System?
Cholestasis
The gut is a constant production house of secretions like mucins, enzymes, ions, and water. These secretions are controlled by the stimulus from the brain and nerves. The cessation of bile production used for digestion is known as cholestasis. It could be due to impaired secretion, ductular disease, or obstruction of bile flow. Many factors are involved in reduced bile production, such as inherited drugs and hormones.
Symptoms of Cholestasis Are :
- Dark urine.
- Pruritus.
- Pale stool.
Management of Cholestasis Includes:
-
Substitution of bile acid with ursodeoxycholic acid and cholestyramine.
-
Hepatocyte transplant.
-
Gene therapy.
-
Stem cell infusions.
What Are the Abnormal Functions Associated With the Exocrine Gland of the Prostate?
The sexual hormone androgens plays a crucial role in the production of the prostrate's normal metabolic and secretory functions. The most common androgen hormone functioning in males is testosterone. Any imbalance in their function can lead to conditions such as - benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer. This exocrine gland produces 15 % of ejaculate volume and plays an important role in sperm production. Any muscular contraction during ejaculation can cause the secretion to stop reaching the bladder, thus preventing successful ejaculation.
What Are the Abnormal Functions Associated With the Exocrine Gland of the Salivary System?
Hyperhidrosis is a condition where a person has excessive sweating. Reasons are varied depending upon the type of sweating. It could be hereditary, auto-immune, neurological, hyperactivity of the thyroid gland, or hormonal conditions. Hyperhidrosis could be due to primary or secondary reasons. Management of hyperhidrosis can be done using topical application of aluminum chloride solution or Glycopyrrolate, administration of oral Anticholinergics, or surgical procedures can be undertaken.
What Are the Abnormal Functions Seen in Endocrine Glands?
There are mainly eight different types of endocrine glands:
-
Hypothalamus.
-
Pituitary.
-
Thyroid.
-
Parathyroid.
-
Adrenals.
-
Pineal.
-
Ovaries.
-
Testes. As discussed earlier, the endocrine gland is a ductless gland secreting within the body.
In Pituitary Gland:
Pituitary glands can be divided into
-
Anterior Parts: It produces seven hormones.
-
Posterior Parts: It produces two hormones.
What Are the Pathological Conditions Associated With Anterior Pituitary Hormones?
1. ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic Hormone) Deficiency Disorder:
Hypoadrenalism: ACTH deficiency causes adrenal insufficiency or otherwise known as hypoadrenalism. This can be congenital or acquired. A defect in the pituitary gland or brain can lead to this deficiency. Diagnosis can be made using blood samples. If the amount of cortisol is low, it indicates hypoadrenalism.
Symptoms: Weight loss, anorexia, low blood pressure, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting.
Treatment: Administration of cortisol hormone.
2. Cushing's Disorder: This occurs due to high cortisol levels over a period of time. This can be due to an over intake of Corticosteroids or due to the overproduction of cortisol in the body. Cortisol is very crucial in regulating normal blood pressure and stress.
Symptoms: Weight gain, moon face, buffalo hump on the neck, pink or purple stretch marks on thighs, abdomen, acne, decreased fertility, depression, anxiety, etc.
Treatment: Oral corticosteroids.
3. FSH (Follicular Stimulating Hormone) Deficiency Disorders:
It helps the ovaries to produce eggs and the testes to produce sperm. Hence, low levels of FSH are indicative of infertility. This could be due to congenital or hormonal imbalances.
4. Growth Hormone Deficiency Disorders:
Inadequate production of GH leads to dwarfism seen in children. This is observed in one out of 7,000 births. The cause is unknown, but it could be due to a tumor in the brain.
Symptoms: Short stature, child-like face, poor development of breasts, high cholesterol, and a greater risk of diabetes and heart disease.
5. Luteinising Hormone (LH) Deficiency Disorder:
This is, again, a sex hormone responsible for menstruation, breast development in girls, and growth of the penis and testicle in boys. Low LH means fewer chances of fertility rate.
6. Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (MSH) Deficiency Disorder:
MSH is an anti-inflammatory hormone that regulates the immune and nervous systems. It protects the skin and inner epithelial layers of the gut. Low MSH will lead to less sleep, hyperpigmentation such as acanthosis nigricans in the axilla, pain, and increased inflammation.
7. Prolactin Deficiency Disorder:
Prolactin deficiency leads to low or absence of milk secretion in lactating mothers. It is caused by hypopituitarism. The most common cause of prolactin deficiency includes Sheehan syndrome, which is postpartum pituitary necrosis.
8. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH):
TSH stimulates the thyroid gland to produce T3- triiodothyronine and T4- thyroxine hormones, respectively. These hormones regulate bodily functions such as heart rate, temperature, and metabolism. Increased T3 and T4 are indicative of hyperthyroidism, and decreased T3 and T4 are indicative of hypothyroidism. Disorders associated with thyroid dysfunction are - goiter, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, grave disease, and thyroid cancer.
What Are the Pathological Conditions Associated With Posterior Pituitary Hormones?
-
Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) Deficiency Disorder: ADH is also known as vasopressin which prevents dehydration in the kidneys. ADH helps kidneys in water absorption. A deficiency of ADH can lead to diabetes insipidus, where the kidney fails to respond to ADH. Symptoms include fatigue, polyuria followed by polydipsia, and disturbed sleep.
-
Oxytocin: This hormone is responsible for uterine contraction during childbirth. It helps to produce breast milk. Low oxytocin level is known as panhypopituitarism. If the oxytocin level is low, it could lead to depressive symptoms and an autism spectrum disorder.
Conclusion:
Glandular systems comprising both exocrine and endocrine glands are undoubtedly the chemical coordinators of the body. These glands are responsible for the overall metabolism, development, and function of the body. Without the glandular system, the existence of human life would be questionable and in misery.
