Female hormone system. Computer artwork of a silhouetted female figure illustrating locations of hormone producing glands (known as the endocrine system). The backdrop is crystals of the artificial cortisone. The glands seen are (from top to bottom): pituitary (yellow); thyroid (red); thymus (yellow); adrenals (red); pancreas (yellow) and ovaries (yellow). These glands produce hormones that are necessary for bodily processes such as growth, metabolism, sexual development & function and response to stress. The pituitary gland regulates the activities of the other glands and the thymus is part of the body's immune response.