Physiology 2130 Lecture Notes - Lecture 13: Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone, Anterior Pituitary, Posterior Pituitary
17 Oct 2016
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Document Summary
The endocrine system consists of a series of glands that secrete different chemicals into the blood. These hormones then travel throughout the body to their target site to initiate their effect. Endocrine system function include the maintenance of the internal environment (body temperature, body fluid volume, osmolality, and so on), adaptation to stress, control of growth and metabolism, and also the control of reproduction. In contrast to the nervous system, the actions of the endocrine system are slower to take effect yet last longer and are generally more widespread throughout the body. While the nervous system has control over organs with which it is in direct contact, the endocrine system can indirectly affect many organs of the body at a distance by secreting chemicals into the blood. An endocrine gland is a group of specialized cells that synthesize, store, and release a very special chemical into blood.
