glands

Organs that secrete

Glands are organs in the body that produce and release substances like hormones, sweat, or saliva.

Some glands secrete directly into the bloodstream (endocrine glands like the thyroid), while others release through ducts to specific locations (exocrine glands like sweat glands).

The word often appears in medical contexts: swollen glands typically refers to lymph nodes that have enlarged due to infection.

Informally, to have the glands for something means to have the courage or temperament for it.

secretions

hormones

Bloodstream signaling molecules

  • insulinPancreatic glucose-regulating hormone
  • cortisolAdrenal steroid regulating stress
  • estrogenFemale reproductive hormone

testosterone · progesterone · melatonin · thyroxine · adrenaline · oxytocin · prolactin · glucagon · aldosterone · saliva

endocrine

pituitary

Brain-base hormone gland

parathyroid · hypothalamus · thymus · ovaries · testes · pancreas · gonads · islets · anterior · posterior

exocrine

salivary

Of spit-producing glands

mammary · prostate · seminal · gastric · intestinal · mucous · serous · parotid · sublingual · ducts

anatomy

lobes

Rounded projecting parts

stroma · parenchyma · nodules · islets · alveoli · tubules · epithelium · tissue · cells · lymphoid

disorders

adenoma

Benign epithelial tumor

Addison's · diabetes · tumor · cyst · inflammation · adenitis · hyperplasia · atrophy · carcinoma · lymphoma

Categories
Opposites
body tissue type/function

glandsmuscles

Contractile body tissue

bones · tendons · ligaments · cartilage · connective tissue

presence vs. absence of glandular structures

glandsglandless

Lacking secretory organs

Phrases
Family

Bartholin's glands, Skene's glands, gland, glandular, pituitary gland, sweat glands, thyroid gland, mammary gland, prostate gland

Familiarity
Top 50,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G