The endocrine system is the system in our body which manages our inner environment with the help of chemical substances called hormones. Hormones are released from various glands in the body directly into the bloodstream or other parts of our inner world (see hormones).
Endocrine glands are thus different from other glands such as sweat glands, salivary glands, and glands in the stomach and bowel which actually release their substances into the ‘outer’ environment via small ducts. The endocrine system handles the rhythms of the body such as growth, maturity, and metabolic, reproductive, sexual and energy rhythms. Hormones accelerate, slow, or maintain the enzyme activity in the cells of specific target organs. The level of a hormone is managed via feedback mechanisms and interactive networks between the different endocrine glands, between the endocrine system and the nervous system and also between the glands and their target organs, as well as other indirectly related systems. The main endocrine glands are the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal glands, as well as the pancreas, ovaries and testes.
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