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Endocrine Diseases

What is Endocrine?
(11 Apr 2007)

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An integrated system of glands and organs involved in producing and regulating hormones in the bloodstream, in order to control various functions of the body is known as the Endocrine. The endocrinal system or the endocrine functions through a network of glands and organs throughout the body that helps in accomplishing the job of secreting important hormones for various functions.

The way hormones function are akin to a good messaging system.

For a message to be termed efficacious it has to reach its expected destination. Similarly, particular hormones that are produced by the endocrinal system are devised to reach certain cells known as target cells. On reaching the right cell the hormone connects to a receptor spot to carry out its work.

The main glands of the endocrine system are hypothalamus, pituitary, and pineal glands which are located in the brain, thyroid and parathyroid which are located in the neck, the glands in the abdomen are adrenal and pancreas and glands located in the lower abdomen are testes or ovaries.

The Hypothalamus is the most important connection between the endocrine and nervous systems. The hormones and glands are the foundations of the endocrine system. It is the body’s main systems for controlling, communicating and coordinating the body’s work and acts in coordination with the nervous system, reproductive system, kidneys, liver, pancreas and fat to help in maintaining and controlling the body’s energy levels, growth and development and internal balance of body systems.

The major glands produce important hormones. The pituitary gland which is also known as the “master gland” is an important gland for the proper functioning of the endocrinal system. The pineal gland produces melatonin, a hormone that helps in regulating the wake-sleep cycle. The pancreas produces two important hormones, insulin and glucagons, which makes a decision on our sugar intake. The gonads are the major source of sex hormones.

The function of the Endocrine glands is to produce and store hormones and release them when required. The bloodstream carries the right kinds of hormones to specific targets such as organs, tissues or cells, whenever the body requires these substances. In order for the body to function well, it needs glands that work accurately, a blood supply that performs well to move hormones through the body to their target points, receptor places on the target cells for the hormones to do their work, and a system for controlling the production and use of hormones. The hormones made by Endocrine glands are used inside the body, whereas the other glands make substances like saliva that reach the outside of the body.

answered by G M on 21 Apr 2009, 6:54:48

They are glands that secrete their product (hormone) into the blood in a direct manner. There are 8 endocrine glands in the endocrine system and they perform similar functions. They are interrelated and perform similar influential mechanisms. The 8 endocrine glands are:
- Pineal
- Thymus
- Thyroid
- Pituitary
- Adrenal
- Pancreas
- Testis and
- Ovary.

answered by r k on 11 Apr 2007, 6:48:25

Endocrine Diseases

What is Endocrine? (11 Apr 2007)

What is Endocrine?
(11 Apr 2007)