Endocrine Introduction. All about endocrine glands and endocrine disorders. Parathyroid and thyroid disease discussed

Introduction to Endocrinology

What are hormones, and how do hormones work?

Simply put, endocrinology is the study of endocrine glands. Endocrine glands are a group of glands in the body which secrete hormones. The purpose of the secreted hormones is to evoke a specific response in other cells of the body which are located far away. As shown in the picture, the hormones are secreted out of the cells of an endocrine gland into the blood stream giving them access to all other cells of the body. parathyroid gland

Endocrine surgery is the division of surgery which specializes in the surgical treatment of endocrine diseases. Endocrinologists and endocrine surgeons typically work closely together to provide the most advantageous care to patients afflicted with endocrine disorders. Did you know that as of January 2004 there are only 132 active Endocrine Surgeons in the U.S.? To be recognized as an endocrine surgeon (and a member of the American Association for Endocrine Surgeons) you have to devote a major portion of your surgical practice to endocrine disorders and have performed at least 100 endocrine operations. There aren't too many surgeons who specialize in endocrine surgery! And... there are fewer still who perform more than 5 parathyroid operations per year! Parathyroid surgeons treat parathyroid disease for calcium parathyroid disease.

Examples of Endocrine Glands and Their Hormones

Thyroid Gland. Located in the front of the neck. Secretes thyroid hormone.

Purpose: Regulate the body's overall metabolism. Read more about thyroid disease on our sister Web site EndocrineWeb.com where they have over 100 pages on thyroid disease.

	Parathyroid Glands. There are 4 parathyroid glands located behind the thyroid. Secretes parathyroid hormone. parathyroid, parathyroid surgery, parathyroid hormone Purpose: Absolute control over calcium levels throughout the body.
	Adrenal Glands. There are 2 adrenal glands located on the top of each kidney. Inner part secretes adrenaline, outer part secretes aldosterone and cortisol. Purpose: Maintain salt levels in the blood, maintain blood pressure, help control kidney function, control overall fluid concentrations in the body. You can read more about Adrenal glands at EndocrineWeb.com, our sister Web site.
	Neuroendocrine Glands of the Pancreas. Located deep in the abdomen behind the stomach, the pancreas is primarily a digestive organ. It also contains extremely important endocrine cells which secrete: insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and others. Purpose: Control blood sugar and overall glucose metabolism, help control other endocrine cells of the digestive tract. You can read all about neuroendocrine tumors at EndocrineWeb.com. parathyroid, parathyroid surgery, parathyroid hormone
	Pituitary Gland. The pituitary is located at the base of the brain. Secretes thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), adrenocotropic hormone (ACTH), and others. Purpose: Control the activity of many other endocrine glands (thyroid, ovaries, adrenal, etc.).

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