Endocrinology is a branch of medicine dealing with disorders of the endocrine system and its specific secretions called hormones.

Hormones are molecules that act as signals from one type of cells to another.

Most hormones reach their targets via the blood.

Although every organ system secretes and responds to hormones (including the brain, lungs, heart, intestine, skin, and the kidney), the clinical specialty of endocrinology focuses primarily on the endocrine organs, meaning the organs whose primary function is hormone secretion.

These organs include the pituitary, thyroid, adrenals, ovaries and testes, and pancreas.

For more information about the topic Endocrinology, read the full article at Wikipedia.org, or see the following related articles:

Endocrine system — The endocrine system is a control system of ductless glands that secrete chemical messengers called hormones that circulate within the body via the ...  > read more

Pituitary gland — The pituitary gland, or hypophysis, is an endocrine gland about the size of a pea that sits in the small, bony cavity at the base of the brain. The ...  > read more

Hormone — A hormone is a chemical messenger from one cell (or group of cells) to another. All multicellular organisms produce hormones including plants. The ...  > read more

Human physiology — Human physiology is the science of the mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions of normal humans or human tissues or organs. The principal ...  > read more

Editor's Note: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

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