"The endocrine system is a messenger system in an organism comprising feedback loops of hormones that are released by internal glands directly into the circulatory system and that target and regulate distant organs."
This topic covers the various hormones produced by the endocrine glands, and their roles in regulating the body's metabolism, growth, and reproduction.
Hormones: Chemical messengers that regulate various bodily functions.
Endocrine glands: Organs that secrete hormones into the bloodstream.
Hypothalamus: A part of the brain that controls the release of hormones from the pituitary gland.
Pituitary gland: A small gland located at the base of the brain that controls many other endocrine glands.
Adrenal glands: Small glands located on top of each kidney that secrete hormones involved in stress response.
Thyroid gland: A gland located in the neck that secretes hormones involved in metabolism and growth.
Parathyroid glands: Small glands located next to the thyroid gland that regulate calcium levels in the blood.
Pancreas: An organ that secretes hormones involved in blood sugar regulation.
Gonads: The ovaries in females and testes in males that secrete hormones involved in reproduction.
Feedback mechanisms: The process by which the body regulates hormone levels to maintain homeostasis.
Endocrine disorders: Conditions that arise when the endocrine system is not functioning properly, such as diabetes or hypothyroidism.
Pituitary gland: It is often referred to as the master gland as it produces and secretes a variety of hormones that regulate various physical processes in the body such as growth, metabolism, reproduction, and the activity of other endocrine glands.
Thyroid gland: It secretes hormones that regulate metabolism, growth, and development of the body. Specifically, it produces triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) to maintain metabolic activities throughout the body.
Parathyroid gland: It secretes parathyroid hormone (PTH) which helps to regulate calcium and phosphate in the body.
Adrenal gland: It has two parts: the outer adrenal cortex and inner adrenal medulla. The adrenal cortex produces hormones that regulate blood pressure and salt and water balance in the body, while the adrenal medulla produces a hormone called adrenaline (epinephrine) which helps to prepare the body for physical and emotional stress.
Pancreas: Both endocrine and exocrine gland, the pancreas is located behind the stomach and releases insulin and glucagon hormones that control blood sugar levels in the body.
Testes: Male endocrine gland that produces testosterone hormone which is responsible for male sex characteristics and the development of the male reproductive system.
Ovaries: Female endocrine gland that produces estrogen and progesterone hormones which are responsible for female sex characteristics and the menstrual cycle.
"In vertebrates, the hypothalamus is the neural control center for all endocrine systems."
"The major endocrine glands in humans are the thyroid, parathyroid, pituitary, pineal, and adrenal glands, and the (male) testes and (female) ovaries."
"The hypothalamus, pancreas, and thymus also function as endocrine glands, among other functions."
"One of the most important functions of the hypothalamus... is to link the endocrine system to the nervous system via the pituitary gland."
"Many other organs that are part of other body systems have secondary endocrine functions, including bone, kidneys, liver, heart, and gonads."
"Hormones can be amino acid complexes, steroids, eicosanoids, leukotrienes, or prostaglandins."
"Endocrine glands have no ducts, are vascular, and commonly have intracellular vacuoles or granules that store their hormones."
"The study of the endocrine system and its disorders is known as endocrinology."
"Glands that signal each other in sequence are often referred to as an axis, such as the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis."
"For example, the kidney secretes the endocrine hormone erythropoietin."
"Contrastingly, exocrine glands, such as salivary glands, sweat glands, and glands within the gastrointestinal tract, tend to be much less vascular and have ducts or a hollow lumen."
"For example, the kidney secretes the endocrine hormone erythropoietin."
"(The hypothalamus and pituitary glands are organs of the neuroendocrine system.)"
"One of the most important functions of the hypothalamus... is to link the endocrine system to the nervous system."
"The hypothalamus and pituitary glands are organs of the neuroendocrine system."
"The endocrine system is a messenger system in an organism comprising feedback loops of hormones."
"Hormones that are released by internal glands directly into the circulatory system."
"The (male) testes and (female) ovaries."
"Paracrine signaling between cells over a relatively short distance."