Endocrinology is a branch of medicine that studies and deals with the illnesses pertaining to hormones. Many argue that endocrinology is one of the sub-specialties under internal medicine. The scope of endocrinology also covers other human functions like respiration, sensory perception, coordination of metabolism and movement, among others. Those who deal with endocrinology have to focus on the tissues secreting hormones, as well as the endocrine glands.

The term endocrinology can be traced from Greek words that means within and to separate or “endon” and “krinein”, respectively.

Endocrinology explained

A human has an endocrine system that has glands within it that secrete and produce hormones. These hormones have control over the person’s growth, metabolism, function and development.

These hormones go away from the glands and then they penetrate into the bloodstream and eventually go to the human’s tissues and organs.

The major endocrine glands of a human’s body

The body is composed of major endocrine glands. Below is a list of some of them.

1. Adrenal glands- These are also referred to as the suprarenal glands and can be found above the kidney. These glands are categorized into two parts—the right and the left. The right gland takes the shape of a triangle while the left one has a semilunar shape.

2. Hypothalmus- This endocrine gland can be found right above the stem of the brain and just underneath the thalamus. The hypothalamus has control over the involuntary functions of the body like sleep, appetite and temperature.

3. Ovaries and testicles- The testicles are found under the penis which secretes androgens, mostly testosterone. The testosterone controls facial hair, sexual appetite and development and erectile function, among others.

4. Pancreas—the pancreas are found in the human’s abdomen and it the one that produces somastostatin, pancreatic polypeptide, glucagon and insulin.

5. Pineal gland—this is a small gland that is found in the human’s brain.