1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Menstrual Disorders

Do Endocrine Glands Produce All of Our Hormones?

From Tracee Cornforth, for About.com

Updated: August 13, 2008

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Endocrine system glands produce the majority of our hormones. However, a few other organs, not part of the endocrine system, also produce hormones. These other hormone-producing organs include the skin, liver, lungs, kidneys, brain, heart, and pancreas. Some endocrine system glands are also part of another body system. For example, the ovaries and testes are part of the reproductive system, as well as the endocrine system. Another example is the pancreas, also part of the digestive system, which produces two essential hormones – insulin and glucagon. Insulin and glucagon help the body maintain steady levels of blood sugar. Without these important hormones, we would not be able to maintain adequate energy levels.

Do All Glands Produce Hormones?

While endocrine glands produce hormones, you should note that not all glands produce hormones. Glands such as the mammary glands which produce breast milk and the salivary glands which produce saliva produce substances for use outside the body, while endocrine glands make hormones for use inside the body.
Explore Menstrual Disorders
About.com Special Features

Learn how you can reduce your your numbers with these nutrition and exercise tips. More >

Keep yourself, and your family, happy and healthy this fall with these tips. More >

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Menstrual Disorders
  4. Hormones
  5. Do the Endocrine Glands Produce All Hormones? / Do All Glands Produce Hormones?

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.