The endocrine system is comprised of all glands responsible for hormone production which regulates most bodily functions. The endocrine system can be injured or impaired due to trauma, auto accidents, workplace injuries, dangerous medications, medical misdiagnosis and medical negligence. Please click here to contact our endocrine system injury lawyers for a free case review. No fees unless we win.
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What Is The Endocrine System?
By definition the endocrine system is a chemical messenger system within the body. It is made of feedback loops of the hormones released by internal glands of your body directly into the circulatory system, regulating distant target organs. In humans, the major endocrine glands are the thyroid gland and the adrenal glands. In vertebrates, the hypothalamus is the neural control center for all endocrine systems. Endocrinology is a branch of internal medicine solely related to the endocrine system.
Numerous glands that signal each other in sequence are usually referred to as an axis, such as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. In addition many other organs that are part of other body systems have secondary endocrine functions, including bone, kidneys, liver, heart and gonads. For example, the kidney secretes the endocrine hormone erythropoietin. Hormones can be amino acid complexes, steroids, eicosanoids, leukotrienes, or prostaglandins.
The endocrine system can be contrasted to both exocrine glands, which secrete hormones to the outside of the body, and paracrine signaling between cells over a relatively short distance. Endocrine glands have no ducts, are vascular, and commonly have intracellular vacuoles or granules that store their hormones. In contrast, exocrine glands, such as salivary glands, sweat glands, and glands within the gastrointestinal tract, tend to be much less vascular and have ducts or a hollow lumen.
Endocrine System Glands
As discussed above the endocrine system is made up of numerous glands and structures. These are the adrenal glands, hypothalamus, ovaries, pituitary gland, testes, thymus, Islet cells, thyroid, parathyroid and pineal glands.
Each serves a very specific function within the body and many times multiple glands work together to regulate bodily functions. With that, if there is any type of illness, disease (such as cancers) or trauma the functioning of endocrine system can be disrupted.
Endocrine System Disorders & Injuries
Any illness or disease impacting the endocrine system typically falls into 1 of 2 categories:
- Any disease that results in, or from, the glands of the endocrine system not making proper amounts of hormones. This can lead to hormonal imbalances. An example of this is diabetes which is also a common autoimmune disorder.
- Any disease caused by lesions, nodules or tumors on the various glands and structures of the endocrine system. Examples of these would be testicular cancer, thyroid cancer, neuroendocrine tumors, parathyroid cancer and pituitary gland cancer.
Some of the more commonly seen endocrine disorders in the United States are:
- Diabetes
- Gigantism
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hypothyroidism
- Adrenal insufficiency
- Cushing’s Syndrome aka Cushing’s Disease
Injuries sustained by the endocrine system are different then other types of injuries. For the most part the glands, chemicals and hormones controlled by the endocrine system are too small for the human eye to see. However, traumatic injuries such as brain injuries and spinal cord injuries do impact aspects of the endocrine system. These are rare however and many injury lawsuits related to the endocrine system stem from medical malpractice, medical negligence, surgical errors, medical misdiagnosis and medication errors.
Also, harmful medications can exert their effects on the bodies glands and hormone production. These cases differ from medication errors as the drug manufacturer is the liable party and not a particular doctor or hospital.
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