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Endocrine glands

Endocrine glandsEndocrine 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 an excess of one or more hormone is secreted from a gland. Hyposecretion is when the amount of hormones that are released is too low.

There are many types of disorders that can result when too much or too little of a hormone is released.

Disorders that may be associated with abnormal hormone product from a particular gland include:

Adrenal:

Addison disease
Adrenogenital syndrome or adrenocortical hyperplasia
Cushing syndrome
Pheochromocytoma

Pancreas:

Parathyroid:

Low blood calcium level
Tetany (abnormal cramping of muscles)
Renal calculi (kidney stones)
Excessive loss of minerals from bone (osteoporosis)

Pituitary:

Testes and ovaries:

Lack of sex development (unclear genitalia)

Thyroid:

References

Barrett EJ. Organization of endocrine control. In: Boron WF, Boulpaep EL, eds. Medical Physiology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 47.

Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, et al. Principles of endocrinology. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Rosen CJ, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 1.

Newell-Price JDC, Gibb FW. Endocrinology. In: Penman ID, Ralston SH, Strachan MWJ, Hobson RP, eds. Davidson's Principles and Practice of Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 20.

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Review Date: 5/12/2023

Reviewed By: Sandeep K. Dhaliwal, MD, board-certified in Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Springfield, VA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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