Neurosecretion facts for kids

Neurosecretion is a special way your nerve cells work. It's when these cells don't just send electrical signals, but they also make, store, and release special chemicals called hormones. Think of them as tiny factories inside your brain and body that produce important messengers!

Your body's hormonal system is mostly controlled by your central nervous system (your brain and spinal cord). Usually, nerve cells send messages directly to glands, telling them what to do. But some very special nerve cells, called neurosecretory cells, can make hormones themselves. These hormones, called neurohormones, are then released into your blood to travel to different parts of your body.

What are Neurosecretory Cells?

Neurosecretory cells are like super-sized nerve cells. They are built to produce a lot of these special chemical messengers. They act a bit like regular glands because they help control many functions in your body, affecting both hormone-producing cells and other types of cells.

Neurohormones from the Brain

Many neurohormones come from nerve cells in a part of your brain called the hypothalamus. These hormones can either go straight into your blood or be stored for a while before they are released. Once in the blood, they travel around your body, telling other glands and cells what to do.

Hormones from Adrenal Glands

You also have neurosecretory cells in your adrenal glands. These glands sit right above your kidneys. The special cells here are called chromaffin cells. They release important hormones like epinephrine (which you might know as adrenaline) and norepinephrine (also called noradrenaline). These hormones are famous for helping your body react to stress, like when you get a sudden fright or need a burst of energy!

See also

In Spanish: Neurosecreción para niños