Endocrine glands are specialized organs that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream, regulating vital body functions such as growth, metabolism, reproduction, and homeostasis. Unlike exocrine glands (which release substances through ducts, like sweat or saliva), endocrine glands are ductless and act through chemical messengers.
🌍 Definition
- Endocrine Glands: Ductless glands that release hormones into the circulatory system.
- Hormones: Chemical messengers that influence target organs and tissues, often far from the gland itself.
🔑 Major Endocrine Glands & Their Functions
| Gland | Location | Key Hormones | Functions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pituitary (“master gland”) | Base of brain | Growth hormone, ACTH, TSH, LH, FSH | Controls growth, metabolism, reproduction, other glands |
| Hypothalamus | Brain | Releasing/inhibiting hormones | Regulates pituitary, links nervous & endocrine systems |
| Thyroid | Neck | Thyroxine (T4), Triiodothyronine (T3), Calcitonin | Controls metabolism, growth, calcium balance |
| Parathyroid | Neck (behind thyroid) | Parathyroid hormone (PTH) | Regulates calcium & phosphate levels |
| Adrenal | Above kidneys | Cortisol, Aldosterone, Adrenaline | Stress response, metabolism, blood pressure |
| Pancreas (endocrine part) | Abdomen | Insulin, Glucagon | Regulates blood glucose |
| Pineal | Brain | Melatonin | Controls sleep-wake cycles |
| Gonads (ovaries/testes) | Pelvis/scrotum | Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone | Reproduction, secondary sex characteristics |
| Thymus | Chest | Thymosin | Immune system development (especially in children) |
📚 Applications in Anthropology & Medicine
- Medical Anthropology: Endocrine disorders (e.g., diabetes, thyroid disease) reveal cultural approaches to health and healing.
- Evolutionary Biology: Hormonal regulation is key to adaptation, reproduction, and survival strategies.
- Forensic Anthropology: Hormonal influences affect bone growth, sexual dimorphism, and developmental markers.
- Cultural Practices: Some societies ritualize puberty, fertility, or aging—life stages heavily influenced by endocrine changes.
✨ Summary
Endocrine glands are ductless organs that secrete hormones into the blood, orchestrating growth, metabolism, reproduction, and stress responses. They form a complex regulatory network essential for life.
Sources: Cleveland Clinic – Endocrine System, Johns Hopkins Medicine – Endocrine Glands, Britannica – Endocrine Gland.
