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Endocrine glands

Definition

Endocrine glands release (secrete) hormones into the bloodstream.

The endocrine glands include the:

• Adrenal

• Hypothalamus

• Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas

• Ovaries

• Parathyroid

• Pineal

• Pituitary

• Testes

• Thyroid

Information

Hypersecretion is when an excess of one or more hormone is secreted from a gland. Hyposecretion is when the amount of hormones that are released is too low.

There are many types of disorders that can result when too much or too little of a hormone is released.

Disorders that may be associated with abnormal hormone product from a particular gland include:

Adrenal:

• Addison disease

• Adrenogenital syndrome or adrenocortical hyperplasia

• Cushing syndrome

• Pheochromocytoma

Pancreas:

• Diabetes mellitus

• Hypoglycemia

Parathyroid:

• Low or high blood calcium level

• Tetany (abnormal cramping of muscles)

• Renal calculi (kidney stones)

• Excessive loss of minerals from bone (osteoporosis)

Pituitary:

• Growth hormone deficiency

• Acromegaly

• Gigantism

• Diabetes insipidus

• Cushing disease

Testes and ovaries:

• Lack of sex development (unclear genitalia)

Thyroid:

• Congenital hypothyroidism

• Myxedema

• Goiter

• Thyrotoxicosis

References

Clemmons DR, Nieman LK. Approach to the patient with endocrine disease. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 202.

Jameson JL. Principles of endocrinology. In: Robertson RP, ed. DeGroot's Endocrinology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 1.

Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Kopp PA, Rosen CJ, et al. Principles of endocrinology. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Rosen CJ, Kopp PA, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 15th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 1.

Review Date: 4/24/2025

Reviewed By: Sandeep K. Dhaliwal, MD, board-certified in Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Springfield, VA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.