View source for An introduction to the endocrine system

The endocrine system is a control system that mediates many processes within the body. This is brought about by the secretion of chemical messengers by the endocrine organs. These chemical messengers are known as hormones.

[[Image:Growth_hormone.png|thumb|right|218px|Growth hormone is an example of a protein hormone. It is composed of 191 amino acids]]
==Types of hormone==
Hormones are small molecules secreted into the blood by the endocrine organs. They can be broadly grouped into three categories:
* Tyrosine derived hormones, such as the catecholamines and thyroid hormones.
* Lipid hormones, which can be divided into two main subgroups; steroid hormones and eicosanoid hormones. Testosterone and cortisol are steroid hormones. Prostaglandins are examples of eicosanoid hormones.
* Protein and peptide hormones, composed of a single chain of amino acids. Examples of small peptide hormones are thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and vasopressin. Insulin and growth hormone (GH) are protein hormones.


==Types of signalling==
The typical mode of cell signalling in the endocrine system is endocrine signalling. However, there are also other modes, which are important in the body; paracrine and autocrine.

[[Image:Cell signalling.png|thumb|right|350px|Different types of cell signalling found in the human body.]]
===Endocrine signalling===
Endocrine signals have their target organs or cells at a distant location in the body. Examples of endocrine glands are the pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal glands. Typical features of endocrine glands are their ductless nature, their vascularity and the presence of intracellular vacuoles or granules storing their hormones.

===Paracrine signalling===
Paracrine signals target nearby cells. Examples are nitric oxide and chemicals which promote inflammation. 

=== Autocrine signalling===
Autocrine signals act on the secreting cell.

[[Image:Illu endocrine system.png|left|thumb|227px|Major endocrine glands. (Male left, female on the right.) 1. Pineal gland 2. Pituitary gland 3. Thyroid gland 4. Thymus 5. Adrenal gland 6. Pancreas 7. Ovary 8. Testes]]
==The endocrine organs==
The major endocrine glands are the pituitary (anterior and posterior lobes), thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal (cortex and medulla), pancreas and gonads. They play important roles in many homeostatic mechanisms, often working together in sequence. A number of glands which signal each other in sequence is usually referred to as an axis, for example the Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
There are also a number of other organs which secrete hormones. The heart, for example, secretes atrial-natiuretic peptide (ANP) which is involved in the regulation of blood pressure.

[[Category:Endocrinology|*]]