endocrine system
(noun)
The system of ductless glands that secretes hormones directly into the circulatory system.
Examples of endocrine system 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.
- 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.
-
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
-
Development of the Endocrine System
- The endocrine system regulates growth, metabolism, and body homeostasis using hormones that 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 the organs that control the body's metabolism, growth and development, and reproduction.
- The thyroid gland is the primary endocrine gland involved in development and one of the largest endocrine glands in the body.
- Major endocrine glands.
-
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.
- As an endocrine gland, the pancreas produces several important hormones that include insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide.
- The pancreas functions as both an exocrine and endocrine gland.
- The pancreas is a dual-function gland, having features of both endocrine and exocrine glands.
-
Overview of Endocrine Glands
- A collection of endocrine glands makes up the endocrine system: the pituitary (anterior and posterior lobes), thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal (cortex and medulla), pancreas and gonads.
- This is one of the largest endocrine glands in the body.
- It is considered to be part of the gastrointestinal system since it produces digestive enzymes.
- The endocrine system is the system of glands, each of which secretes different types of hormones directly into the bloodstream (some of which are transported along nerve tracts) to regulate the body.
- Differentiate among the types of endocrine glands (pituitary [posterior pituitary, anterior pituitary], thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, and pancreas) in the endocrine system
-
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 that has the features of 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.
-
Types of Cells in the Pancreas
- The pancreas is a glandular organ that belongs to both the digestive and the endocrine systems of vertebrates.
- Acinar cells belong to the exocrine pancreas and secrete digestive enzymes into the gut via a system of ducts.
- The endocrine cell subsets are:
- Pancreatic polypeptide regulates both the endocrine and exocrine pancreatic secretions.
- The paracrine feedback system is based on the following correlations:
-
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.
-
Overview of Pancreatic Islets
- Pancreatic islets, also called the islets of Langerhans, are regions of the pancreas that contain its hormone-producing endocrine cells.
- The pancreas serves two functions, endocrine and exocrine.
- Pancreatic polypeptide regulates both the endocrine and exocrine pancreatic secretions.
- The feedback system of the pancreatic islets is paracrine—it is based on the activation and inhibition of the islet cells by the endocrine hormones produced in the islets.
- The islets of Langerhans are the regions of the pancreas that contain its endocrine (hormone-producing) cells.