Endocrine glands release (secrete) hormones into the bloodstream.
The endocrine glands include the:
Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas
Ovaries
Parathyroid
Pineal
Pituitary
Thyroid
Clemmons DR, Nieman LK. Approach to the patient with endocrine disease. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 202.
Jameson JL. Principles of endocrinology. In: Robertson RP, ed. DeGroot's Endocrinology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 1.
Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Kopp PA, Rosen CJ, et al. Principles of endocrinology. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Rosen CJ, Kopp PA, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 15th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 1.
Updated by: Sandeep K. Dhaliwal, MD, board-certified in Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Springfield, VA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.