A network of glands distributed throughout the body forms the endocrine
system. These glands produce hormones that are released into the circulation and
distributed to distant target sites via the blood. Hormones produced by these
glands act as chemical messengers to control body functions such as growth,
metabolism, sexual development, and egg and sperm production.
The endocrine glands are: hypothalamus, pituitary, pineal gland, thyroid,
parathyroid, pancreas, adrenal, ovary, and testis. For an illustration see the EMCOM website: EM-com endocrine
illustration.
