endocrine

Examples of endocrine in the following topics:

• 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.
  • Endocrine glands are typically well vascularized and the cells comprising the tissue are typically rich in intracellular vacuoles or granules that store hormones prior to release.
  • 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.

• 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.
  • The endocrine cells are located in the mucus of the GI tract throughout the stomach and small intestine.
  • While the adrenal glands associated with the kidneys are major endocrine glands, the kidneys themselves also possess endocrine function.

• Histology of the Pancreas

  • The pancreas serves digestive and endocrine functions, and it is composed of two types of tissue: islets of Langerhans and acini.
  • 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.
  • 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.

• 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.

• 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

• Glandular Epithelia

  • Glandular epithelium contains glands, either exocrine or endocrine, allowing for secretory function.
  • Epithelia can also be organized into clusters of cells that function as exocrine and endocrine glands.
  • Exocrine and endocrine epithelial cells are highly vascular.
  • There are two major classifications of glands: endocrine glands and exocrine glands.
  • An endocrine gland is its counterpart.

• 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 part of the pancreas with endocrine function is made up of approximately a million cell clusters called islets of Langerhans.
  • 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.

• 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.

• Development of the Endocrine System

  • The endocrine system is a control system of ductless glands that secrete hormones within specific organs.
  • The main endocrine glands are the hypothalamus (neuro-endocrine gland), pituitary (anterior and posterior lobes), thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal (cortex and medulla), pancreas, and gonads.
  • The thyroid gland is the primary endocrine gland involved in development.
  • The thyroid gland is one of the largest endocrine glands in the body.
  • Major endocrine glands.

• Pancreas

  • It contains both exocrine cells that excrete digestive enzymes and endocrine cells that release hormones.
  • It is sometimes referred to as a heterocrine gland because it has both endocrine and exocrine functions.
  • The endocrine cells of the pancreas form clusters called pancreatic islets or the islets of Langerhans .
  • The islets of Langerhans are clusters of endocrine cells found in the pancreas; they stain lighter than surrounding cells.
  • It is both an endocrine and exocrine gland.