The Endocrine System
The Endocrine System
The endocrine system is the term used to describe a complex group or system of glands and tissues that produce chemicals that regulate the body and its functions. The chemicals that endocrine system produces are called “Hormones”. The glands and tissues in the Endocrine System are unique in that they deliver the hormones directly to the blood or tissues surrounding the glands without the use of a duct or tube. The endocrine system serves as a communication system between the cells of the body. Its purpose is to control, assist and maintain the reaction of the body to changes in its environment as well as to regulate growth, mood and the reproductive process.
The names of the major glands in the endocrine system are the adrenal, hypothalamus, ovaries, pancreas, parathyroid, pineal, pituitary, testes, thymus and thyroid. Other organs of the body that may be part of the endocrine system since they also produce hormones, including the kidneys, the liver, the heart, the skin and the stomach.
Since the endocrine system is such an important part of the functions of the human body, if a part of it becomes is injured or becomes impaired it can have serious health effects and cause major disease and health conditions to occur. There are hundreds of disease that can be considered endocrine system related. Some major endocrine system related diseases and conditions are:
- Diabetes
- Cholesterol Disorders
- Growth Disorders
- Hormone Imbalances
- High Blood Pressure
- Infertility
- Obesity
- Osteoporosis (calcium loss in bones leading to fragile bones)
- Thyroid Disorders
