Duration of the online course: 8 hours and 46 minutes
New
Master endocrine physiology to understand hormones, metabolism and stress responses. Take this free online course and test your knowledge with quizzes.
In this free course, learn about
How hormones signal via receptor pathways; steroid hormones act via intracellular receptors to alter gene expression
Endocrine physiology is the foundation for understanding how the body coordinates growth, metabolism, hydration, reproduction, and the response to stress. This free online course helps you build a clear, clinically relevant mental model of hormone signaling, starting with receptor pathways and the way different hormone classes trigger changes inside target cells. Instead of memorizing isolated facts, you will learn to connect glands, feedback loops, and real physiological outcomes into one coherent system.
You will explore how the hypothalamus and pituitary integrate information from the body and translate it into hormonal commands, including key functions of ADH and oxytocin. From there, the course guides you through the thyroid and parathyroid axes to clarify how basal metabolic rate and calcium balance are regulated and why small changes can create large systemic effects. You will also examine the adrenal gland in a structured way, distinguishing mineral control, longer-term stress adaptation, androgen production, and the rapid fight-or-flight response.
To round out your endocrine map, you will study pancreatic regulation of blood glucose, the role of the pineal gland in circadian timing, and the hormonal orchestration behind female and male reproductive physiology. Short knowledge-check questions throughout reinforce accuracy, sharpen exam readiness, and help you identify gaps quickly. By the end, you should be able to explain what triggers hormone release, predict target organ effects, and reason through common physiology-style questions with confidence.
Course content
Video class: Endocrinology | Receptor Pathways28m
Exercise: Which of the following statements best describes the mechanism of action for steroid hormones?
Video class: Endocrinology | Hypothalamus: Posterior Pituitary Connection15m
Exercise: What is the primary factor that stimulates the release of Anti-Diuretic Hormone (ADH) from the posterior pituitary gland?
Video class: Endocrinology | Hypothalamus: Anterior Pituitary Connection17m
Exercise: Which of the following hormones is responsible for stimulating the release of ACTH from the anterior pituitary?
Video class: Endocrinology | Oxytocin14m
Exercise: What is the main function of oxytocin in the female reproductive system during childbirth?
Video class: Endocrinology | Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)18m
Exercise: What are the two primary stimuli that regulate the secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH)?
Video class: Endocrinology | Growth Hormone24m
Exercise: What is one of the main functions of growth hormone (GH) as it relates to skeletal muscle?
Video class: Endocrinology | Prolactin15m
Exercise: Which hormone acts primarily to stimulate milk production in the mammary glands?
Video class: Endocrinology | Synthesis of Thyroid Hormone24m
Exercise: What is the function of the thyroid peroxidase enzyme in the synthesis of thyroid hormone?
Video class: Endocrinology | Target Organs of the Thyroid34m
Exercise: In the context of thyroid hormone function, what process occurs when T4 is converted into T3 within target tissues?
Video class: Endocrinology | Thyroid Overview07m
Exercise: What is the effect of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) on the body's basic metabolic rate?
Video class: Endocrinology | Parathyroid Gland | Calcitonin35m
Exercise: What is the primary stimulus for parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion?
Video class: Endocrinology | Adrenal Gland: Aldosterone25m
Exercise: What is the primary role of the adrenal cortex layer known as the Zona Glomerulosa?
Video class: Endocrinology | Adrenal Gland: Cortisol29m
Exercise: Which hormone is primarily synthesized in the zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex and plays a crucial role in the stress response?
Video class: Endocrinology | Adrenal Gland: Gonadocorticoids13m
Exercise: What is the primary role of the zona reticularis in the adrenal gland?
Video class: Endocrinology | Adrenal Medulla | Catecholamines25m
Exercise: What is the primary chemical output of the adrenal medulla in response to acute stressors?
Video class: Endocrinology | Adrenal Gland Overview10m
Exercise: Which of the following hormones is primarily responsible for regulating mineral balance in the body by promoting sodium reabsorption in the kidneys?
Video class: Endocrinology | Pancreas: Glucagon Function23m
Exercise: What is the primary stimulus for the secretion of glucagon from the alpha cells of the pancreas?
Video class: Endocrinology | Pancreas: Insulin Function31m
Exercise: Regarding the pancreatic hormones discussed, what is the primary function of insulin following its release into the bloodstream?
Video class: Endocrinology | Pancreas: Overview09m
Exercise: Which of the following hormones is primarily responsible for decreasing blood glucose levels by promoting cellular uptake and glycogenesis?
Video class: Endocrinology | Pineal Gland11m
Exercise: What is the primary role of the pineal gland?
Video class: Female Reproductive Cycle | Ovulation33m
Exercise: Which hormone is primarily responsible for stimulating the conversion of cholesterol into androgens within the thecal cells during the female reproductive cycle?
Video class: Female Reproductive Cycle | Menstrual Cycle21m
Exercise: During the menstrual cycle, which hormone is primarily responsible for the thickening of the endometrium during the secretory phase?
Video class: Female Reproductive Cycle | Ovulation11m
Exercise: Which phase of the menstrual cycle is primarily influenced by high levels of progesterone and is characterized by thickening of the endometrial lining to prepare for potential embryo implantation?
Video class: Male Reproductive System | Spermatogenesis22m
Exercise: What is the primary function of the androgen-binding protein in the seminiferous tubules?
Video class: Male Reproductive System | Erection23m
Exercise: In the physiological process of erection, which part of the nervous system is primarily responsible for initiating it through vasodilation?
