What is the endocrine system?

Image: Endocrine English image, Image by OpenStax & Tomáš Kebert & unimeto.org, Sourced Under a Creative Commons 4.0 License from Wiki Commons The endocrine system can be defined as a collection of endocrine glands which are involved in the regulation and coordination of the body through the production and release of hormones into the blood. The endocrine system in general is slower in terms of its speed of action, but its more persistent in its length of action relative to the nervous system. The endocrine system is primary involved in maintaining the control of;

• Homeostasis

• Growth

• Reproduction

What are the two types of glands in the body?

• Exocrine glands: These glands secrete into a duct which carries the secretion either to the bodies’ surface or one of the bodies’ cavities; sweat glands, mucous glands, salivary glands and the glands of the alimentary canal are examples of exocrine glands. Exocrine secretions act close to the site of release.
  

• Endocrine glands: These glands secrete hormones into extracellular fluid which surrounds the cells making up the gland; the secretion then usually passes into the capillaries to be transported by the blood. Endocrine glands are often referred to as ductless glands, and hormones can act close to or far from their site of release.

Comparing endocrine and exocrine glands