The Endocrine System

The Endocrine System involves any gland within the human body, which releases or is responsible for the release of a hormone, such as adrenaline into the body, in order to have an affect on another organ of tissue within the body. This is different to an exocrine, which secretes a chemical out of the body, such as sweat glands or saliva glands.

The Endrocrine System, like the Nervous System helps to regulate homeostasis. Where the Nervous System communicates the electrical impulses or signals from and to the brain, the Endocrine System works by releasing hormones from specific organs within the human body to cause a response. For example, an endocrine system response to being attacked (known as the fight of flight response), would cause a release of adrenaline from the adrenal glands, which stimulate the sympathetic response mechanisms, such as increase force and rate of myocardial contractions, dilation of pupils, increased blood pressure, and many other physiological changes designed to increase the body’s potential survival.

Anatomy of the Endocrine System:

1. Pineal Gland

2. Pituitary Gland

3. Thyroid Gland

4. Thymus

5. Adrenal Gland

6. Pancrease

7. Overies

8. Testes