Endocrine glands: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

P Endocrine glands release (secrete) hormones into the bloodstream.
P The endocrine glands include:
- Adrenal
- Hypothalamus
- Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas
- Ovaries
- Parathyroid
- Pineal
- Pituitary
- Testes
- Thyroid

T Information
P Hypersecretion is when too many hormones are secreted from a gland. Hyposecretion is when too few hormones are released.
P There are many types of disorders that can result when too much or too little of a hormone is released.
P Disorders that may result when a particular gland does not produce the right amount of hormones include:
P Adrenal:
- Addison disease
- Adrenogenital syndrome or adrenocortical hyperplasia
- Cushing syndrome
- Pheochromocytoma
P Pancreas:
- Diabetes
- Hypoglycemia
P Parathyroid:
- Tetany
- Renal calculi
- Excessive loss of minerals from bone
P Pituitary:
- Growth hormone deficiency
- Acromegaly
- Diabetes
- Gigantism
- Diabetes insipidus
- Cushing Disease
P Testes and ovaries:
- Lack of sex development (unclear genitalia)
P Thyroid:
- Congenital hypothyroidism
- Myxedema
- Goiter
- Thyrotoxicosis

T Images
- Endocrine glands
- Brain-thyroid link

T References
P Kronenberg HM, Melmed S, Larsen PR, Polonsky KS. Principles of endocrinology. In: Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR, Kronenberg HM, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 1.

T Review Date 5/21/2017
P Updated by: Laura J. Martin, MD, MPH, ABIM Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Atlanta, GA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

