INTERNAL SECRETION Meaning and
Definition
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Internal secretion refers to the process and physiological mechanisms through which specialized glands within the body release chemical substances called hormones directly into the bloodstream. These substances are produced and secreted by ductless glands, such as the pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, and gonads (ovaries and testes), among others. The hormones released into the bloodstream by these glands are responsible for regulating various bodily functions and maintaining overall homeostasis.
The hormones produced by the internal secretion system act as chemical messengers that target specific cells or tissues to induce a response. They bind to receptors on the surface of target cells and trigger cellular reactions, often influencing metabolism, growth, development, reproduction, and behavior. By acting as signaling molecules, hormones regulate processes like body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, fluid balance, and metabolism.
The internal secretion system is coordinated by a complex network of interactions between different glands and organs, known as the endocrine system. This system helps regulate the levels of hormones in the bloodstream, ensuring that the body's functions are properly regulated and balanced. Imbalances in hormone levels can result in hormonal disorders, which may lead to various health conditions.
The discovery and understanding of internal secretion systems have contributed significantly to the advancement of medical knowledge, leading to the development of hormone replacement therapies, diagnostic tests, and the treatment of various endocrine disorders.
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An endocrine, an autacoid, the product of one of the so-called endocrine glands which is not discharged externally but is taken up directly into the blood; see chalone and hormone.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for INTERNAL SECRETION
- unternal secretion
- jnternal secretion
- knternal secretion
- onternal secretion
- 9nternal secretion
- 8nternal secretion
- ibternal secretion
- imternal secretion
- ijternal secretion
- ihternal secretion
- inrernal secretion
- infernal secretion
- ingernal secretion
- inyernal secretion
- in6ernal secretion
- in5ernal secretion
- intwrnal secretion
- intsrnal secretion
- intdrnal secretion
Etymology of INTERNAL SECRETION
The word "internal secretion" was coined by the French physiologist Charles Édouard Brown-Séquard in the late 19th century. "Internal" refers to something happening within the body, and "secretion" refers to the process of producing and releasing substances. In the context of biology and physiology, it specifically refers to the release of hormones directly into the bloodstream by certain glands and organs in the body. So, the etymology of the term "internal secretion" can be traced back to its French origin.
Similar spelling words for INTERNAL SECRETION
- international scale,
- internalization,
- internationalisation,
- internationalization,
- internal revenue,
- interfacial tension,
- internal respiration,
- internal medicine,
- Internasal Suture,
- internal combustion,
- internal control,
- intersection point,
- internationalise,
- internal iliac vein,
- internalisation,
- interior secretary,
- internal auditor.
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