endocrine gland

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endocrine gland

endocrine glands A. thyroid B. pituitary gland C. pineal gland D. thymus E. adrenal glands F. pancreas G. ovaries (female) H. testes (male) (Carlyn Iverson)

n.
Any of various glands producing hormonal secretions that pass directly into the bloodstream. The endocrine glands include the thyroid, parathyroids, anterior and posterior pituitary, pancreas, adrenals, pineal, and gonads. Also called ductless gland.

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Ductless glands that produce and secrete hormones, including the thyroid gland (secreting thyroxine and tri-iodothyronine), pancreas (insulin and glucagon), adrenal glands (adrenaline, noradrenaline, glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids), ovary and testes (sex steroids).

Some endocrine glands respond directly to chemical changes in the bloodstream; others are controlled by hormones secreted by the pituitary gland, under the control of the hypothalamus.

A ductless gland producing hormones which are secreted directly into the blood stream.

(en-duh-krin, en-duh-kreen, en-duh-kreyen)

A gland that secretes hormones directly into the blood. These glands make up the endocrine system.

As opposed to exocrine glands, those bodily structures that produce hormones introduced directly into the bloodstream. These include the pituitary gland, the pancreas, the adrenal glands, the sex glands, and the thyroid glands. See Exocrine Glands.

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an alternative name for endocrine gland.

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n.pl

Any one of the glands of internal secretion; a hormone-secreting gland (for example, the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, adrenal glands, ovaries, and testes).

For a list of words related to endocrine gland, see:

• Endocrine System and Glands - endocrine gland: any gland that secretes a hormone into the bloodstream
• Physiology - endocrine gland: ductless organ that synthesizes hormones and releases them directly into bloodstream

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