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What is Endocrinology?
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Endocrinology: the branch of science or medicine that deals with the
endocrine glands and hormones.
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Endocrine: designating a gland that secretes directly into the blood
or lymph; pertaining to such glands or their secretions (hormones).
Your body produces its own chemicals and uses them to
control certain functions, and the main system that coordinates these
chemicals is called the endocrine system.
Although we rarely think about the endocrine system, it
influences almost every cell, organ, and function of our bodies. The
endocrine system is instrumental in regulating mood, growth and development,
tissue function, metabolism, and sexual function and reproductive
processes.
In general, the endocrine system is in charge of body
processes that happen slowly, such as cell growth. Faster processes like
breathing and body movement are monitored by the nervous system. But even
though the nervous system and endocrine system are separate systems, they
often work together to help the body function properly.
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