Endocrine system 5: the function of the pineal and thymus glands

Knight, John
Bayram-Weston, Zubeyde
Andrade, Maria

Authors John Knight is associate professor in biomedical science; Zubeyde Bayram-Weston is senior lecturer in biomedical science; Maria Andrade is honorary associate professor in biomedical science; all at College of Human and Health Sciences, Swansea University.

This article has been double-blind peer reviewed

Nursing Times 117(9):p 53-57, September 2021.

In this article…

Endocrine functions of the pineal and thymus glands
Hormones secreted by the pineal and thymus glands
Role of the pineal and thymus glands in mediating essential physiological processes

Abstract

The endocrine system consists of glands and tissues that produce and secrete hormones to regulate and coordinate vital bodily functions. This article, the fifth in an eight-part series on the endocrine system, explores the anatomy and physiology of the pineal and thymus glands, and describes how they regulate and coordinate vital physiological processes in the body through hormonal action.