Final answer:
"Heart, lungs, liver, stomach (Option A)" are the organs that are associated with the endocrine system. The endocrine system includes not only the primary glands like the pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal glands, but also other organs like the pancreas, heart, kidneys, and liver which have secondary endocrine functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The organs associated with the endocrine system include a number of glands and other structures that secrete hormones. The primary glands of this system are the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, and pineal glands.
In addition to these, there are several organs and tissues with secondary endocrine functions, such as the pancreas, which contains the islets of Langerhans that regulate blood glucose levels; the hypothalamus,
It has crucial hormone regulatory functions; and the thymus, heart, kidneys, stomach, small intestine, liver, skin, ovaries, and testes.
Interestingly, even bones and adipose tissue play a part in hormone production.
For example, the heart has specialized endocrine cells within the atrial walls which release hormones in response to increased blood volume, leading to a decrease in blood volume and blood pressure, and reducing the concentration of sodium in the blood.
The kidneys also have an endocrine function; they release hormones like erythropoietin, which stimulates red blood cell production, and renin, which regulates blood pressure.
Other organs, such as the skin and liver, have roles in hormone production as well.
For example, the skin helps in the synthesis of vitamin D, and the liver plays a role in hormone regulation by synthesizing angiotensinogen, which is a precursor to angiotensin, a molecule that increases blood pressure.
Diseases associated with endocrine system dysfunction can arise due to imbalances in hormone levels or due to issues with the glands themselves.
The study of the endocrine system also includes understanding embryonic development of these glands and the effects of aging on their functions.
Hence, the correct answer is (Option A) Heart, lungs, liver, stomach.