PATH 3610 Lecture 1: Definition of Endocrinology

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Pathology
• Course: PATH 3610
• Professor: Andrew Vince

Document Summary

Endocrinology deals primarily with the structure and function of the endocrine tissues. In essence, this segment of the biom*3200 examines the way in which various hormones work. We will take an organ approach to the discipline, which means that the working of the major endocrine organs will initially be considered separately, but the interactive nature of the various organs and systems will also be discussed. One cannot study endocrinology without knowing the anatomy of the endocrine glands or without understanding that the endocrine, nervous and circulatory systems constantly interact. The word endocrine is derived from the greek endon (within) plus krinein (to secrete). The endocrine system is the second of the body"s two regulatory systems, the other being the nervous system. Parts of nervous system communicate by releasing a neurotransmitter (which is the messenger) from a nerve terminal that carries a message to the next nerve. The endocrine system consists of endocrine glands that secrete hormones.