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What
is the endocrine system? |
The endocrine system consists of a set of glands,
such as the thyroid, gonads, adrenal and pituitary
glands, and the hormones they produce, such as thyroxine,
oestrogen, testosterone and adrenaline, which help
guide the development, growth, reproduction, and behaviour
of animals, including human beings (see Pathophysiology
of the endocrine system).
Overview image
of the human endocrine system. Image
source
Hormones
are signalling molecules which travel through the
bloodstream and elicit responses in other parts of
the body (from Prostate
Cancer Glossary). An endocrine system is found
in most animals, including mammals, non-mammalian
vertebrates (such as birds, fish, amphibians, and
reptiles), and invertebrates (such as snails and insects).
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