Endocrine glands
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Definition
Endocrine glands release (secrete) hormones into the bloodstream.
The endocrine glands include:
- Adrenal
- Hypothalamus
- Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas
- Ovaries
- Parathyroid
- Pineal
- Pituitary
- Testes
- Thyroid
Information
Hypersecretion is when too many hormones are secreted from a gland. Hyposecretion is when too few hormones are released.
There are many types of disorders that can result when too much or too little of a hormone is released.
Disorders that may result when a particular gland does not produce the right amount of hormones include:
Adrenal:
- Addison disease
- Adrenogenital syndrome or adrenocortical hyperplasia
- Cushing syndrome
- Pheochromocytoma
Pancreas:
Parathyroid:
- Tetany
- Renal calculi
- Excessive loss of minerals from bone
Pituitary:
Testes and ovaries:
- Lack of sex development (unclear genitalia)
Thyroid:
Images
References
Kronenberg HM, Melmed S, Larsen PR, Polonsky KS. Principles of endocrinology. In: Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR, Kronenberg HM, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 1.