Endocrine system

Definition

The endocrine system is a network of glands and organs that produce, store, and release hormones into the bloodstream to control many body functions. It regulates processes such as growth, metabolism, and reproductive development.

Related terms

Hormones:

Chemical messengers produced by the endocrine glands that regulate various bodily functions.

Glands: Organs in the body that secrete hormones directly into the circulatory system to be carried towards distant target organs.

Metabolism:

The set of life-sustaining chemical reactions in organisms needed for energy generation, growth, and reproduction