Abstract
The endocrine system consists of a variety of cells arranged both as glandular tissues and as individual cells (neuroendocrine system) scattered throughout the body. Their primary function is to maintain body homeostasis through the manufacture and secretion of a variety of chemical mediators (hormones). When secreted into the circulation, hormones can exert their effects on distant sites (endocrine effects) and when diffused through interstitial tissue, they can exert their effects on adjacent sites (paracrine effects). They may also exert their effects on the cell of origin (autocrine effects).
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© 1995 Springer Science+Business Media New York
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Holliman, J.H. (1995). Endocrine System. In: Pathology. Oklahoma Notes. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-0813-6_10
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-0813-6_10
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-0-387-94390-9
Online ISBN: 978-1-4612-0813-6
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