Everything you need to know about human glands

You need to know about human glands

A gland is a collection of cells in an animal's body that produces chemicals and hormones for release into the circulation (endocrine gland) or cavities inside or beyond the body (exocrine gland). The gland is an organ that produces and releases substances in the body that perform a particular function. The human body contains nine ductless glands and five ducted glands, depending on gender and physiology. These 14 vital glands are essential for conducting a range of biological processes. Endocrine glands are ductless glands that release directly into the bloodstream the substances they make (hormones). The endocrine glands secrete into the bloodstream.


Young  woman in ardha padmasana pose
Young  woman in ardha padmasana pose

Glands are divided based on their function into two groups, endocrine glands and exocrine glands. Endocrine glands secrete blood-circulating substances. The glands secrete their products into the bloodstream through the basal lamina. We observe the basilar lamina as a layer around glands that get connected to a million if not more, small blood vessels. These glands frequently secrete hormones that play a vital role in maintaining homeostasis. The pineal gland, thymus gland, pituitary gland, thyroid gland, and adrenal glands are all examples of endocrine glands. The endocrine system consists of glands producing and secreting hormones and chemical substances produced in the body that regulate cell or organ activity. These hormones regulate growth, metabolism (the body's physical and chemical processes), and sexual development and function.

Exocrine glands secrete their products through a duct on an external or internal surface. The secretion occurs directly on the apical surface. We divide the glands into three groups, namely apocrine glands, holocrine glands, and merocrine glands. Exocrine glands' type of secretory product may also fall into one of the three categories. They are serous glands, mucous glands, and sebaceous glands. In simple words, the endocrine system is a network of glands that secrete chemicals called hormones for the proper functioning of your body. Exocrine glands are sweat and salivary glands secreted through ducts externally and internally.


Endocrine glands use the bloodstream to secrete hormones internally. The crucial function of the endocrine glands is to secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream. Hormones are chemical substances that affect the activity of another part of the body (target site). 


bowl of fresh green salad hold in female hands to avoid gland problems
Prefer green salad  to avoid gland problems


In essence, hormones serve as messengers, controllers, and coordinators of activities throughout the body. A gland is a specialized cell or group of cells that excrete substances. However, an organ is a group of organized tissues performing specific or group functions. The gland constantly secretes substances, but not all organs secrete substances. More precisely, a gland is an organ that produces and releases substances that perform a specific function in the body. You can avoid any gland-related problem with the help of meditation, yoga, and pranayama.


The human body contains nine ductless glands and five ducted glands, depending on gender and physiology. These 14 vital glands are essential for conducting a range of biological processes.


The major glands of the endocrine system are listed below:

  • Hypothalamus.
  • Pineal Gland.
  • Pituitary Gland.
  • Thyroid.
  • Parathyroid.
  • Thymus.
  • Adrenal.
  • Pancreas

They transfer information from one set of cells to another to coordinate with the functions of different parts. The major glands of the endocrine system are the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroids, adrenals, pineal body, and reproductive organs (ovaries and testes).


The hypothalamus is a small part of the brain. We locate it at the base of the brain, close to the pituitary gland. Although it is small in size, the hypothalamus plays a vital role in many critical purposes. It controls the body temperature. The hypothalamus contains notable cells called neurosecretory cells, neurons that secrete hormones. The hypothalamus helps maintain homeostasis by using the autonomic nervous system and the endocrine complex. Stimulation in the hypothalamus can trigger aggression, indicate anger and fear, and have different functions related to motivation and emotion.


The hypothalamus is a small but crucial area in the brain. The hypothalamus plays a role in hormone production and stimulates many processes in the body. Its location is in the brain, between the pituitary gland and the thalamus. The hypothalamus is a portion of the brain that contains several small nuclei with several functions. One of the leading functions of the hypothalamus is to link the nervous system to the endocrine system via the pituitary gland. 


Your brain's middle pineal gland is a small endocrine organ that releases the hormone melatonin to support your body's circadian rhythm. It produces the melatonin hormone and is a component of your endocrine system.


  • Pituitary gland: 

Your endocrine system includes the pituitary gland. Hormone secretion into your circulation is one of its essential functions. These hormones can have an impact on several glands and organs, including your:

  • reproductive organs
  • adrenergic ganglia
  • thyroid

Because it is involved in so many different activities, the pituitary gland is known as the master gland.

 

  • The thyroid gland:  

Your thyroid develops and manufactures hormones involved in several bodily processes. Overproduction or underproduction of these critical hormones is a hallmark of thyroid illness.

 

These are tiny endocrine glands in the neck directly below the thyroid glands. Usually four in number, two are located behind each thyroid gland. They are roughly the size of a pea and weigh 50 milligrams. The glands work to keep our body's levels of calcium and phosphorus stable.

 

Flexible woman in an advanced yoga pose
Flexible woman in an advanced yoga pose

We can locate the thymus gland in the body behind the breastbone. By producing immune cells, it dramatically enhances immunity. In the Reliable Source, T lymphocytes or immature T cells play the most crucial role. The job of these white blood cells is to prevent sickness. The thymus also makes a wide range of hormones. The thymus also creates hormones like insulin and melatonin.

 

The tiny, triangular-shaped adrenal glands, also called suprarenal glands, are found on top of both kidneys. Your immune system, blood pressure, stress response, metabolism, and other critical processes are all regulated by hormones produced by your adrenal glands. The cortex and the medulla, the two components that make up an adrenal gland, are each in charge of manufacturing a specific hormone.

 

Glands in the pancreas secrete chemicals that aid digestion and regulate blood sugar. Diabetes types 1 and 2 affect the pancreas often. Pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer are two more pancreatic disorders. An organ at the rear of your abdomen is called the pancreas (belly). Your digestive system includes both an organ and a gland, the pancreas. The body's glands are organs that manufacture and secrete chemicals.

 

Examples of exocrine glands are below. 

  • Salivary glands secrete saliva into the mouth.
  • Bile-producing glands of the liver.
  • Prostate gland.
  • A portion of the pancreas that secretes pancreatic fluid into the duodenum.
  • Gastric glands.
  • Sweat glands.

We know four varieties of glands in the integumentary system: the sudoriferous glands, the sebaceous glands, the ceruminous glands, and the mammary glands. Meibomian glands, on the other hand, are oil glands located along the edge of the eyelids, near the eyelashes. These glands make oil, a vital part of the eye's tears. The oily coating is part of the tear film that keeps tears from drying up too quickly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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