Final answer:
Endocrinology is the study of the endocrine system which includes endocrine glands secreting hormones directly into the bloodstream. It investigates the regulatory roles hormones play and the bodily functions they control, as well as disorders related to the endocrine system.
Step-by-step explanation:
What is Endocrinology?
The study of glands that secrete hormones is indeed known as endocrinology. Endocrinology encompasses the study of the endocrine system, which includes a complex network of endocrine glands that release hormones directly into the bloodstream. These hormones serve as chemical messenger molecules that play vital roles in regulating bodily functions, such as growth, metabolism, and reproduction.
The endocrine system includes various glands, such as the hypothalamus, pituitary gland (often referred to as the "master gland"), thyroid gland, adrenals, and pancreas. The hypothalamus regulates the pituitary gland, which in turn controls other endocrine glands. Together, they maintain the body's internal balance, or homeostasis, by responding to internal and external stimuli and adjusting hormone secretion accordingly.
Endocrine glands release hormones into the interstitial fluid, after which they diffuse into the bloodstream and are transported to target cells with specific receptors for each hormone. This sophisticated system provides a way for different body parts to communicate with one another and to coordinate complex physiological processes. Endocrinology not only studies the functions of hormones and glands but also explores the disorders and diseases associated with the endocrine system.