endocrine gland, ductless gland

any of the glands of the endocrine system that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream

• thyroid gland, thyroid — located near the base of the neck
• parathyroid gland, parathyroid — any one of four endocrine glands situated above or within the thyroid gland
• adrenal gland, adrenal, suprarenal gland — either of a pair of complex endocrine glands situated near the kidney
• prostate gland, prostate — a firm partly muscular chestnut sized gland in males at the neck of the urethra; produces a viscid secretion that is the fluid part of semen
• thymus gland, thymus — a ductless glandular organ at the base of the neck that produces lymphocytes and aids in producing immunity; atrophies with age
• pituitary, pituitary gland, pituitary body, hypophysis — the master gland of the endocrine system; located at the base of the brain
• anterior pituitary, anterior pituitary gland, adenohypophysis — the anterior lobe of the pituitary body; primarily glandular in nature
• pars distilis, pars anterior — the anterior part of the anterior pituitary
• pars intermedia — a thin piece of tissue that has become part of the posterior pituitary
• posterior pituitary, posterior pituitary gland, neurohypophysis, pars nervosa — the posterior lobe of the pituitary body; primarily glandular in nature
• pineal gland, pineal body, epiphysis cerebri, epiphysis — a small endocrine gland in the brain; situated beneath the back part of the corpus callosum; secretes melatonin
• islands of Langerhans, isles of Langerhans, islets of Langerhans — cell clusters in the pancreas that form the endocrine part of that organ; secrete insulin and other hormones
• adrenal cortex — the cortex of the adrenal gland; secretes corticosterone and sex hormones
• adrenal medulla — the medulla of the adrenal gland; secretes epinephrine
• corpus luteum — yellow endocrine tissue that forms in a ruptured Graafian follicle following the release of an ovum
• gonad — a gland in which gametes (sex cells) are produced

• gland, secretory organ, secretor, secreter — any of various organs that synthesize substances needed by the body and release it through ducts or directly into the bloodstream

• endocrine system — the system of glands that produce endocrine secretions that help to control bodily metabolic activity