Endocrine glands

Endocrine glands

Endocrine glands release hormones (chemical messengers) into the bloodstream to be transported to various organs and tissues throughout the body. For instance, the pancreas secretes insulin, which allows the body to regulate levels of sugar in the blood. The thyroid gets instructions from the pituitary to secrete hormones which determine the pace of chemical activity in the body (the more hormone in the bloodstream, the faster the chemical activity; the less hormone, the slower the activity).

Definition

Endocrine glands release hormones into the bloodstream.

Endocrine glands include the:

  • Adrenal
  • Hypothalamus
  • Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas
  • Ovaries
  • Parathyroid
  • Pineal
  • Pituitary
  • Testes
  • Thyroid

Information

When a gland releases a substance, it is called secretion. Hypersecretion is when too many hormones are released. Hyposecretion is when too few hormones are released.

Many different disorders can result when too few hormones or too many hormones are released.

Here is a partial list of disorders that may result when a particular gland does not produce the right amount of hormones.

Adrenal:

Pancreas:

Parathyroid:

Pituitary:

Testes and ovaries:

  • Lack of sex development (unclear genitalia)

Thyroid:

References

Gill GN, Clemmons DR. Principles of endocrinology. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 240.

See also:

  • Special Topic

    Hypothalamus

    The hypothalamus is an area of the brain that produces hormones that control: Body temperature Hunger Moods Release of hormones from many glands, especially the pituitary gland Sex drive Sleep Thirst

  • Special Topic

    Testes

    Male reproductive anatomy

    The testes are two egg-shaped male reproductive organs located in the . They produce sperm and the male hormone, . Related topics:

Review date:
May 2, 2009
Reviewed by:
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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