In brief
A group of glands and organs that make hormones, chemical messengers that help control growth, metabolism and reproduction.
- Cortisol levels follow a daily pattern, rising in the early morning and peaking at about 8 am.
- The adrenal glands, above the kidneys, help regulate stress, blood pressure and metabolism.
- The testes make sperm and hormones for puberty and reproduction.
How it works
The major endocrine glands are the pituitary gland and hypothalamus, the pineal gland, the thyroid and parathyroids, the pancreas, the adrenal glands, and the ovaries or testes. The hypothalamus releases hormones that help control the pituitary, which is called the master gland because it regulates other endocrine glands.
Hormone levels are kept in balance by signals between glands. For example, when thyroid hormone is low, the pituitary makes more thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and when it is high, the pituitary makes less. Thyroid blood tests measure both TSH and the thyroid hormones.
Connections
5 connections on the map. Select a topic to read its page.
Hormone (endocrine) system includes
The pancreas is an endocrine gland that makes insulin and glucagon to control blood sugar levels.
Sources: healthdirect Australia, Endocrine glands and their hormones; Better Health Channel (Victorian Government), Pancreas
Hormones made in the thyroid influence metabolism, energy levels, body temperature and calcium levels.
Source: healthdirect Australia, Endocrine glands and their hormones
The adrenal glands make adrenaline, cortisol and aldosterone, and help regulate stress, blood pressure and metabolism.
Source: healthdirect Australia, Endocrine glands and their hormones
The ovaries and testes are endocrine glands that make hormones such as oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone.
Source: healthdirect Australia, Endocrine glands and their hormones
Hormone (endocrine) system is linked with
The hypothalamus and the pituitary gland work together to regulate body functions, and the hypothalamus releases hormones that help control the pituitary.
Source: healthdirect Australia, Endocrine glands and their hormones
Sources
Each connection above names its own source. See every source AskBioMap uses.
Summarised from healthdirect, the Better Health Channel and Pathology Tests Explained. Sources read on 13 and 19 October 2026. General education only, not medical advice. Spotted a mistake? Please tell us through the HuBu-Intel contact page.