Endocrine System

What this page covers

This unit sits in the strand Endocrine, Urinary and Reproductive Systems, within Histology and embryology. The resources look at endocrine glands under the microscope and at how they develop. Topics include the thyroid and parathyroid, the pituitary, the adrenal glands, the islets of Langerhans and the pineal gland.

Where to start

Begin with the mind maps for an overview. Endocrine 1 sets out the pituitary and its two parts, one derived from oral tissue and one from neural tissue. Endocrine System 2 covers the adrenal gland, with its cortex and medulla. The Pituitary Gland map compares the anterior and posterior parts and where each one comes from.

If you want the thyroid first, open EN6 - Thyroid Gland 1. It begins with the role of thyroid hormones in metabolism, oxygen use and growth.

Flashcards for the basics

The deck Histology of Endocrine Glands asks how cells are arranged in most endocrine glands and gives an example of a solitary endocrine cell. Endocrine Glands asks about general characteristics and where endocrine and exocrine tissue are mixed. Another deck, BMS14-1062 - Histology of endocrine glands, covers the classes of hormones and the difference between exocrine and endocrine secretion.

Using quizzes and maps together

1. Read one mind map and write down what you remember.
2. Take a quiz on the same gland, such as Thyroid Gland or Histoendocrine.
3. Note the questions you missed and go back to the map for those branches.
4. Use a flashcard deck to fix the details, then retake the quiz.

Some quizzes are lab-slide based, which suits you if you are learning to recognize glands under the microscope. A few items are short or unfinished, so treat them as extra practice rather than a full course.

Your next step

Choose one gland, work through its map and quiz, and see how far you get. If you want something tailored, you can build your own set once you know what you need.