Endocrine system
Learning objectives
After completing this study unit you will be able to:
- Identify the glands of the endocrine system.
- Understand the main organization and functions of the endocrine system.
- Learn about the general structure and function of each endocrine gland in the body.
Watch videos
The endocrine system is made up of endocrine glands located throughout the body. These glands produce different endocrine hormones and release them into the bloodstream via which they travel to specific target organs. This way the endocrine system acts as a signaling pathway regulating a number of important body functions such as growth, metabolism, temperature, reproductive development, and many other bodily functions and processes.
This video tutorial will provide you with an overview of each endocrine gland and its function.
To improve your understanding of endocrine system terminology, take a closer look at some commonly used roots, prefixes and suffixes related to the endocrine system in the video below.
Take a quiz
Now that you have watched the video about the endocrine system, solidify your knowledge by taking the following quiz.
To mix things up and choose your own topics to get quizzed on, try out the fully customizable quiz below.
Download the following PDF worksheets and learn all the parts of the endocrine system.
Browse atlas
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Now examine the endocrine glands in this atlas gallery.
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/pineal-gland-6/8NHr4k4qOUTNsrngl4RAw_Pineal_Gland__01.png "Pineal gland (Glandula pinealis); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/glandula-pinealis/A5HDQYRFdSF2pSwX6AzQ_Glandula_pinealis_1.png "Pineal gland (Glandula pinealis); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/pituitary-gland-4/xNPeJ5kAcxgdE3Cv90bqQ_Pituitary__01.png "Pituitary gland (Glandula pituitaria); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/glandula-pituitaria/Ms1qanYGoFhlMPDydREuA_image1_medial.png "Pituitary gland (Glandula pituitaria); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/thyroid-gland-6/veBGs8UmF9SSOq05Bznw7g_Thyroid_Gland_02_.png "Thyroid gland (Glandula thyroidea); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/thyroid-gland-14/ZdRmcYkHZdXCzlFlL7XS9g_Thyroid_Gland.png "Thyroid gland (Glandula thyroidea); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/parathyroid-gland-1/RNYfpZXCe4GT8PlGLT7wA_Parathyroid_Glands.png "Parathyroid gland (Glandula parathyroidea); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/thymus/55ohZ6jbgqFsLEemCJo0dw_Thymus_.png "Thymus; Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/thymus-8/vEtNQ72pVhQgM3ImLkoIg_Thymus_01.png "Thymus; Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/pancreas-13/bDJPy8N6rn9jEPqQeKTmgg_Pancreas__01.png "Pancreas; Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/pancreas-3/H2xc5HgHO7cHBJVrAUszA_Pancreas_01.png "Pancreas; Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/adrenal-glands/2AaBsrJcJbodyb8djVOZg_Adrenal_Glands_02_.png "Suprarenal gland (Glandula suprarenalis); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/glandula-suprarenalis/OsH52vg8LNY21UzcVNX5Uw_Glandula_suprarenalis_dextra_01.png "Suprarenal gland (Glandula suprarenalis); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/ovary-4/gXDnLba8C0fCaztGYq70w_Ovaries.png "Ovary (Ovarium); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/ovarium-2/bnSB2M50pP7kAHbC9mUj1w_Ovarien_01.png "Ovary (Ovarium); Image: Samantha Zimmerman"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/testis/Xvboe0XUR1OoKAX2GnfdQ_Testes.png "Testis; Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/testis-3/QrLAnzXjKpprdsmUXQwPBw_Testis.png "Testis; Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
Summary
| Definition | The endocrine system is a network of glands and organs that play a vital role in controlling and regulating many of the body’s functions, by secreting specialized substances called hormones |
| Endocrine glands | Pineal gland, pituitary gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid gland, thymus, pancreas, adrenal glands, ovary, testis |
| Function | Regulation of growth, development, metabolism, temperature, sexual maturation, reproduction, blood pressure, heart rate, breastfeeding, immune response and many other vital physical functions and processes |
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