What Is The Endocrine System

An informative article on: What Is The Endocrine System.

The regulation of hormones in the bloodstream is carried out by the endocrine system which is an entire collection of organs and glands helping to control different functions in the body. Functions of the endocrine system overlap with the nervous and exocrine systems to regulate growth, the rate of metabolism and overall sexual development. This complex system of organs and glands is present in animals that possess an advanced physiology such as crustaceans and vertebrates.

Organs Present in the Endocrine System

Some of the primary glands that are present in this system include the hypothalamus, pineal and pituitary located in the brain, the parathyroid and thyroid in the neck, the pancreas, thymus and adrenals in the abdomen, and the gonads, testes or ovaries situated in the lower abdomen. Certain organs such as the lungs, heart and stomach are also involved in the management of hormones in the human body. All these glands are required for nearly every function of the body, from how much sleep an individual is able to get each night to how tall that individual can grow.

The Delivery of Hormones

In our body, hormones work just like messages. When we post a message, we expect it to reach the right recipient at the correct destination in order for it to be considered delivered. In the same vein, the delivery of hormones is also extremely necessary since they are only effective if they reach the targeted cells they were destined to reach. Once the hormone has been able to reach its recipient, it is told what to do next. For instance, the hormone might be required for the generation of energy for ovulation. All hormones only reach their designated recipients and as such will never interfere with any other non-targeted cells. Hormones are very important in ensuring that the body functions as it should and remains in a healthy and balanced state.

Importance of the Endocrine System

The endocrine is one of the most important systems of the body as it is vital in managing and producing different hormones needed by the body. For instance, the pituitary gland is one of the most important glands present in the endocrine as it contains the growth hormone that is vital in determining how tall a person grows, the anti-diuretic hormone that is used for measuring the levels of water and blood in the body, as well as many other hormones that regulate other biological functions. The pancreas is used in the production of insulin that helps in regulating the metabolism of sugar in the body.

In short, the endocrine system is what regulates other functions in the human body. For instance, it is the endocrine that determines our sleep cycle, reproductive cycle and nutrition cycle. Not everyone eats at the same time during the day, nor does everyone have the same bone growth or the same reproductive cycle. In short, the endocrine system is the information center for out body similar to that of the nervous system. We all know how very important different hormones are to the body, as they can determine one’s growth and mood. It is the endocrine system that causes all interwoven systems to function as they should.