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.
Bloodstream signaling molecules
- insulinPancreatic glucose-regulating hormone
- cortisolAdrenal steroid regulating stress
- estrogenFemale reproductive hormone
- testosteroneChief male sex hormone
progesterone · melatonin · thyroxine · adrenaline · oxytocin · prolactin · glucagon · aldosterone
Brain-base hormone gland
- thyroidHormone-producing neck gland
- adrenalNear the kidneys
- pinealShaped like cones
- parathyroidCalcium-managing endocrine glands
hypothalamus · thymus · ovaries · testes · pancreas · gonads · islets · anterior
Of spit-producing glands
- sweatMoisture from skin pores
- sebaceousOil-secreting, of skin
- lacrimalOf tear production
- mammaryOf milk glands
prostate · seminal · gastric · intestinal · mucous · serous · parotid · sublingual
Rounded projecting parts
- ductsEnclosed passage tubes
- folliclesHair-producing skin structures
- capsuleEnclosed dose container
- stromaSupportive tissue framework
parenchyma · nodules · islets · alveoli · tubules · epithelium · tissue · cells
Benign epithelial tumor
- goiterEnlarged thyroid gland
- hyperthyroidismOverproduction of metabolic hormones
- hypothyroidismInsufficient thyroid hormone production
- Addison'sPrimary adrenal insufficiency
diabetes · tumor · cyst · inflammation · adenitis · hyperplasia · atrophy · carcinoma
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
pituitary
Brain-base hormone gland
parathyroid · hypothalamus · thymus · ovaries · testes · pancreas · gonads · islets · anterior · posterior
salivary
Of spit-producing glands
mammary · prostate · seminal · gastric · intestinal · mucous · serous · parotid · sublingual · ducts
lobes
Rounded projecting parts
stroma · parenchyma · nodules · islets · alveoli · tubules · epithelium · tissue · cells · lymphoid
adenoma
Benign epithelial tumor
- goiterEnlarged thyroid gland
- hyperthyroidismOverproduction of metabolic hormones
- hypothyroidismInsufficient thyroid hormone production
Addison's · diabetes · tumor · cyst · inflammation · adenitis · hyperplasia · atrophy · carcinoma · lymphoma
- endometriumuterine lining, stroma, decidua, epithelium
- bodyflesh, skin, bones, muscle, bone
- endocrinehormones, thyroid, pituitary, adrenal, parathyroid
- insect anatomyabdomen, antennae, thorax, exoskeleton, head
- reptile anatomyskeleton, bones, lungs, skull, ribs
- effectorsmuscles, motor neurons, actuators, motors, actin
- swollen glandsInflamed immune tissue masses
- sweat glandOrgan secreting perspiration
- prostate glandsMale reproductive accessory organs
- adrenal glandsHormone organs above kidneys
- pituitary glandBrain-base hormone producer
- mammary glandsMilk-secreting organs
Bartholin's glands, Skene's glands, gland, glandular, pituitary gland, sweat glands, thyroid gland, mammary gland, prostate gland