Human Physiology

Lesson 36 : General Endocrine System

Definitions

Endocrine glands- are ductless glands which secrete hormones directly in the blood and acts on specific target organs.

Endocrinology- It is the branch of science that deals with the study of endocrine glands, hormones secreted from them and their actions.

Hormones- are chemical messengers secreted by endocrine glands, transported by blood to their distant located target organs and exert specific action.

Target organs- are specific organs which respond to a particular hormone and change its physiological and metabolic functions.