It is involved in controlling body temperature and the autonomic nervous system.The pituitary gland, located under the hypothalamus, and the pineal gland, located above the hypothalamus, are two glands in the endocrine system that produce hormones which are secreted by the hypothalamus and secretions of the pituitary (anterior) gland govern growth of bone and muscle.

These hormones produced and secreted by the pineal and pituitary glands are passed to the other glands in the endocrine system through the blood. Melatonin is one such hormone secreted by the pineal gland and functions as an affective agent in sexual functions and wake-sleep cycles. The hypothalamus chiefly supports the secretion of pituitary- regulating hormones and functions to either stimulate or inhibit pituitary secretions.

Endocrine System:

A list of all the glands or tissues in the endocrine system follows.

• Hypothalamus

• Pineal

• Pituitary (anterior and posterior)

• Parathyroid

• Thyroid

• Thymus

• Adrenal (medulla and cortex)

• Pancreas (in islets of Langerhans)

• Ovaries (female)

• Testis (male)

The hypothalamus is located in the middle of the base of the brain and encapsulates the ventral portion of the third ventricle. It is a region of the brain that controls an immense number of bodily functions. The hypothalamus regulates hunger, thirst, sleep and wakefulness. It also controls most of the other involuntary bodily functions, including body temperature.