Endocrine glands

The endocrine system consists of glands that control many of the body's activities by producing hormones. These hormones are secreted directly into the bloodstream. Hormones are chemicals that act as messengers and regulate body activities. Most glands continuously secrete hormones so that they are always present in the blood. Hormones are usually specific. This means certain glands produce specific hormones for specific purposes.

Perhaps the gland with the greatest influence on the body is the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is known as the master gland because it produces hormones that control other endocrine glands. The pituitary gland also produces a growth hormone that influences the growth of bones.

The thyroid gland produces a hormone that controls metabolism. Metabolism refers to the body's use of food. This includes all the changes involving the use of energy in foods by living cells.

A well-functioning thyroid gland is important to health. Some people have thyroids that are overactive. An overactive thyroid produces excess hormone, increases metabolism, and causes the body to burn up food too rapidly. This may result in weight loss and an increased appetite. Some people have thyroids that are underactive. An underactive thyroid produces too little hormone, decreases metabolism, and causes the body to burn up food too slowly. This may result in weight gain and a feeling of sluggishness. A person with an overactive or underactive thyroid may develop a goiter. A goiter is an enlarged thyroid gland. A goiter causes the front of the neck to be swollen.

There are four parathyroid glands under the surface of the thyroid gland. The parathyroid glands control the amount of calcium and phosphorus in the body. Calcium and phosphorus are important minerals necessary for bone growth, muscle con­traction, and teeth development. Underactive parathyroids cause the calcium level in the blood to fall. Overactive parathyroids cause calcium to be removed from the bones and enter the bloodstream. This produces muscle weakness. Both underactive and overactive parathyroids may be controlled by prescribed medications or surgery.

Think about the last time you had to react suddenly. Perhaps someone yelled at you to get out of the way of an oncoming car. Maybe someone walked up quietly behind you and startled you. These kinds of situations produce changes in your body. Your heartbeat rate may have increased suddenly. Your muscles may have felt tight. If so, this resulted from the action of your adrenal glands.

1.	endocrine glands	залози внутрішньої секреції
2.	bloodstream	кровоносний потік
3.	pituitary gland	гіпофіз
4.	growth hormone	гормон росту
5.	thyroid gland	щитовидна залоза
6.	weight gain	набирання ваги
7.	sluggishness	повільність, млявість
8.	muscle weakness	мязова слабкість
9.	adrenal glands	надниркові залози
10.	goiter	зоб, збільшення щитовидної залози

Translate the English proverbs and give Ukrainian equivalents

1. “He lists and sears who never felt a wound”

1.“A good surgeon must have an eagle’s eye, a lion’s heart, and a lady’s hand”

3. “Cheerfulness is the best medicine a family can keep”

4. A good sweat will cure your cold”

Learn these words combinations. Make up sentences to show you understand the meaning

by the sweat of one’s brow – в поті чола свого

spit and image of smb. – точна копія когось

to turn a deaf ear to – пропускати повз вуха