endocrine system
Physiology
(noun)
The system of ductless glands that secretes hormones directly into the circulatory system.
Biology
Examples of endocrine system in the following topics:
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Overview of the Endocrine System
- The endocrine system is a system of ductless glands that secrete hormones—chemical messengers that are carried for long distances.
- The endocrine system is a system of ductless glands that secretes hormones directly into the circulatory system to be carried long distances to other target organs regulating key body and organ functions.
- Endocrine signaling is typically slow to initiate but is prolonged in response; this provides a counterpoint to the more rapid and short-lived nervous system signals.
- The endocrine system is in contrast to the exocrine system, which features ducted glands that secrete substances onto an epithelial surface; for example, a sweat gland.
- The endocrine systems found in the head and neck include the hypothalamus, pineal, pituitary and thyroid glands.
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Comparing the Nervous and Endocrine Systems
- The nervous system and endocrine system both use chemical messengers to signal cells, but each has a different transmission speed.
- The nervous and endocrine systems both work to bring about this adaptation, but their response patterns are different.
- The nervous system and the endocrine system use chemical messengers to signal cells, but the speed at which these messages are transmitted and the length of their effects differs.
- The endocrine system relies on hormones to elicit responses from target cells.
- This process takes significantly longer than that of the nervous system, as endocrine hormones must first be synthesized, transported to their target cell, and enter or signal the cell.
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Hormone Functions
- The endocrine system plays a role in growth, metabolism, and other processes by releasing hormones into the blood.
- An animal's endocrine system controls body processes through the production, secretion, and regulation of hormones.
- By releasing hormones, the endocrine system plays a role in growth, metabolism, and sexual development.
- In humans, common endocrine system diseases include thyroid disease and diabetes mellitus.
- In organisms that undergo metamorphosis, the process is controlled by the endocrine system.
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Transport of Hormones
- Hormones synthesized by the endocrine glands are transported throughout the body by the bloodstream.
- The endocrine system is a system of ductless glands that secrete hormones directly into the circulatory system to be carried long distances to other target organs that regulate key body and organ functions.
- Some endocrine glands secrete into a portal system rather than the systemic circulation that allows for the direct targeting of hormones.
- The major endocrine glands for men and women (male left, female on the right): 1.
- Describe the way in which hormones are transported in the endocrine system
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Development of the Endocrine System
- The endocrine system regulates growth, metabolism, and body homeostasis using hormones that effectively target organs via the bloodstream.
- The endocrine system is a control system of ductless glands that secrete hormones within specific organs.
- The endocrine system provides an electrochemical connection from the hypothalamus of the brain to all the organs that control the body's metabolism, growth and development, and reproduction.
- The endocrine system regulates its hormones through negative feedback, except in very specific cases like childbirth.
- Major endocrine glands.
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Pancreas
- The pancreas is a gland organ in the digestive and endocrine systems.
- The pancreas is a gland organ in the digestive and endocrine systems.
- The pancreas is a dual-function gland, having features of both endocrine and exocrine glands.
- The capillaries of the islets are lined by layers of endocrine cells in direct contact with vessels, and most endocrine cells are in direct contact with blood vessels, either by cytoplasmic processes or by direct apposition.
- The pancreas as an exocrine gland helps out the digestive system.
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Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis
- The endocrine system uses chemical signals to communicate and regulate the body's physiology.
- The collection of these glands makes up the endocrine system.
- The hypothalamus in vertebrates integrates the endocrine and nervous systems.
- The hypothalamus is an endocrine organ located in the diencephalon of the brain.
- A portal system carries blood from one capillary network to another; therefore, the hypophyseal portal system allows hormones produced by the hypothalamus to be carried directly to the anterior pituitary without first entering the circulatory system.
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Histology of the Pancreas
- The pancreas is a glandular organ in the digestive system and endocrine system of vertebrates.
- These produce hormones that underlie the endocrine functions of the pancreas.
- Acinar cells belong to the exocrine pancreas and secrete digestive enzymes into the gut via a system of ducts.
- The pancreas is a dual-function gland, having features of both endocrine and exocrine glands.
- The capillaries of the islets are lined by layers of endocrine cells in direct contact with vessels, and most endocrine cells are in direct contact with blood vessels, either by cytoplasmic processes or by direct apposition.
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Glandular Epithelia
- Glandular epithelium contains glands, either exocrine or endocrine, allowing for secretory function.
- Exocrine and endocrine epithelial cells are highly vascular.
- There are two major classifications of glands: endocrine glands and exocrine glands.
- Endocrine glands secrete their product into the extracellular space where it is rapidly taken up by the blood vascular system.
- An endocrine gland is its counterpart.
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Organs with Secondary Endocrine Functions
- Several organs with specialized non-endocrine functions possess endocrine roles, such as hormone production and release.
- There are several organs whose primary functions are non-endocrine, but that also possess endocrine functions.
- The heart possesses endocrine cells in the walls of the atria that are specialized cardiac muscle cells.
- While the adrenal glands associated with the kidneys are major endocrine glands, the kidneys themselves also possess endocrine function.
- Renin, released in response to decreased blood volume or pressure, is part of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system that leads to the release of aldosterone.