The Physiological Side of the Gates

Adrenal– the adrenal glands are located atop the kidneys and secrete corticoids. These hormones help control the activities of probably all body cells. Especially important is their influence on muscle, fat, liver, and renal (kidney) cells. They exert a major control over the metabolism of all three kinds of foods; proteins, carbohydrates and fats and of electrolytes and fluids as well.

Thymus -mass of glandular tissue located in the neck or chest of most vertebrate animals. In humans, the thymus is a soft, flattened, pinkish-gray organ located in the upper chest under the breastbone. It is relatively large in the newborn infant (about the size of the baby’s fist), and continues to grow throughout childhood up to the age of puberty when it weighs about 1.2 oz (35 grams). Then it gradually decreases in size until it blends in with the surrounding tissue. The functions of the thymus were not well understood until the early 1960’s, when its role in the development of the body’s system of immunity was discovered. Beginning during fetal development, the thymus processes many of the body’s lymphocytes, which migrate throughout the body via the bloodstream, seeding lymph nodes and other lymphatic tissue. The main cells undergoing this processing are the T cells, a heterogeneous groups of cells essential in protecting the body against invasions by foreign organisms. If the thymus fails to develop or is removed early in fetal life, the immune system cannot develop completely. Normally, by the time the infant is a few months old, the immune system has sufficiently formed so as to function throughout life. However, further growth and development of lymphoid tissue still depends on intervention by the thymic cells. After the initial seeding process, the thymus releases a hormonal substance that stimulates further growth of lymphoidal tissue, although such a substance has not yet been isolated.

Thyroid – endocrine gland, situated in the neck that secretes hormones necessary for growth and proper metabolism. It consists of two lobes connected by a narrow segment called the isthmus. The lobes lie on either side of the trachea, the isthmus in front of it. Thyroid tissue is composed of millions of tiny sac-like follicles, which store thyroid hormone in the form of thyroglobulin, a glycoprotein. Blood capillaries attached to the gland yield a constant supply of plasma. The protein thyroglobulin is the chief component of the jellylike substance, called colloid, that is secreted by the follicles. It attaches to the thyroid hormone for storage purposes; when the hormone is ready to be released, the protein detaches itself. Before it is released into the bloodstream, the thyroid hormone is converted into thyroxine and small quantities of the other closely related thyroid hormones. The amount of thyroxine production (and therefore the metabolic rate) is dependent on a sufficient intake of iodine and on stimulation by thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) from the pituitary gland. Metabolic disorders result when the thyroid secretes too little or too much thyroxine. Deficiencies in thyroid secretion (hypothyroidism) occur when there is insufficient iodine in the diet. A disease known as goiter results from the deficiency, although it has been virtually eliminated by the use of iodized salt.

Pineal– small organ (about the size of a pea) situated in the brain. Long considered vestigial in humans, the structure, which is also called the pineal body or the epiphysis, is present in most vertebrates. It is sensitive to different levels of light and is essential to the functioning of an animal’s biological clock. In many animals, including humans, the pineal gland synthesizes a hormone called melatonin in periods of darkness. Melatonin synthesis is halted when light hits the retina of the eye, sending impulses to the gland via the optic nerve. Besides influencing daily, or circadian, rhythms such those of as sleep and temperature, the pineal gland and melatonin appear to direct annual rhythms and seasonal changes in animals. The pineal gland and melatonin are now being studied for their roles in sleep, reproduction, aging, and seasonal affective disorder. In humans the pineal gland begins to produce melatonin at age 3 months; production falls steadily from puberty on.

Pituitary gland  – Anatomy
The pituitary gland is sometimes called the “master” gland of the endocrine system, because it controls the functions of the other endocrine glands. The pituitary gland is no larger than a pea, and is located at the base of the brain, in the mid section of skull. The gland is attached to the hypothalumus (a part of the brain that affects the pituitary gland) by nerve fibers. The pituitary gland itself consists of three sections:

the anterior lobe
the intermediate lobe
the posterior lobe

Functions of the pituitary gland:
Each lobe of the pituitary gland produces certain hormones.

Anterior Lobe:

growth hormone

Prolactin – to stimulate milk production after giving birth

ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) – to stimulate the adrenal glands

TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) – to stimulate the thyroid gland

FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) – to stimulate the ovaries and testes

LH (luteinizing hormone) – to stimulate the ovaries or testes

Intermediate Lobe:
melanocyte-stimulating hormone – to control skin pigmentation

Posterior Lobe:
ADH (antidiuretic hormone) – to increase absorption of water into the blood by the kidneys

Oxytocin – to contract the uterus during childbirth and stimulate milk production

The Endocrine System:

All Gates are glands connected to the endocrine system:

Although we rarely think about them, the glands of the endocrine system and the hormones they release influence almost every cell, organ, and function of our bodies. The endocrine system is instrumental in regulating mood, growth and development, tissue function, and metabolism, as well as sexual function and reproductive processes.

In general, the endocrine system is in charge of body processes that happen slowly, such as cell growth. Faster processes like breathing and body movement are monitored by the nervous system. But even though the nervous system and endocrine system are separate systems, they often work together to help the body function properly.

Spine: Match up each Gate location to the vertebrae (Six Gate graphic)
The spine is made up of 33 small bones, called VERTEBRAE, which are stacked on top of one another. The vertebrae are divided into five groups. At the top of the spine are seven cervical (neck) vertebrae, followed by twelve thoracic (chest) and five lumbar (lower back). Beneath these are another five vertebrae, fused together to form the sacrum, and the spine finishes with the coccyx (tail bone).

For further research and study we recommend any good updated anatomy/medical book or
the use of the Internet for faster up to the date information on the wonderful vessel, The Body!