All About the Endocrine System
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):
Jump to the disorders or reflection.
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):
Jump to the disorders or reflection.
Learn about the hypothalamus or go back to the home 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.
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