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Endocrine System

Definition

The endocrine system is a network of glands in the body that produce and secrete hormones to regulate various bodily functions such as metabolism, growth and development, tissue function, sexual function, reproduction, sleep, and mood.

Analogy

Think of the endocrine system like a city's postal service. Just as the postal service delivers different types of mail (letters, packages) to specific addresses for various purposes (bills, gifts), the endocrine system sends out different hormones to target cells throughout the body to regulate specific functions.

Related terms

Gland: A group of cells that produces and secretes chemicals. A gland selects and removes materials from the blood, processes them, and secretes the finished chemical product for use somewhere in the body.

Hormone: Chemical messengers produced by glands in the endocrine system that are secreted directly into the bloodstream where they travel to tissues or organs all over your body.

Homeostasis: The ability or tendency of an organism or cell to maintain internal equilibrium by adjusting its physiological processes.