Introduction and General Overview
of the Endocrine System
Along with many other
major body systems, the endocrine system plays an important role in
maintaining homeostasis (internal stability) in the human body.
Homeostasis is a state in which the human body is stable. The
endocrine system consists of a set of glands (or organs) along with
corresponding hormones. Each gland is a specialized group of
cells that emit or secrete hormones to control or regulate bodily
functions. The endocrine system is comprised of glands which are
ductless, meaning that the glands give off hormones directly into the
bloodstream.
Glands use hormones to communicate to other organs
in the body, called target organs. Thus, hormones are chemical
messengers in the body that are carried by the bloodstream. The
target organs have receptors for the particular hormones they need to
receive. A given receptor accepts only specific hormones (many
times only one), and ignores all others.
Glands that are present in the endocrine system
‡
include the following (click on each to learn more or navigate in order
using link at bottom of the page):
‡‡There
are
differing
opinions if the thymus is considered part of the
endocrine system. Its main role is part of the immune system and
is not covered here.
This page was last updated on June 13,
2010.
Please
send comments about this page to the webmaster.