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Article: Review of the endocrine system.(Preparing for certification)
- Article from:
- MedSurg Nursing
- Article date:
- October 1, 2005
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2005 Jannetti Publications, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Endocrinology is the study of mechanisms of communication and control at work within a living organism by means of internally synthesized chemical messengers. The endocrine system regulates the functions of various organs, tissues, and cells in order to maintain homeostasis or elicit some other necessary function. Endocrine tissue ceils secrete hormones, which travel through the bloodstream to other target cells where the hormones regulate the function of those cells. Metabolism, growth, and sexual development are all regulated by these hormones.
Hormones
A hormone is any substance, of endogenous or exogenous origin, produced by the cell to play a role ...