Which glands secrete internally and are most commonly associated with hormones?

Endocrine glands are specialized structures in the body that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream, allowing these chemical messengers to travel to various organs and tissues to regulate numerous bodily functions. Unlike exocrine glands, which discharge their products into ducts, endocrine glands are ductless and play a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis, growth, metabolism, and the body’s response to stress by releasing hormones such as insulin, epinephrine, and thyroid hormones.

This internal secretion mechanism of endocrine glands is fundamental to their function, focusing on systemic effects rather than localized ones. Adrenal glands are indeed a type of endocrine gland, but they are just one example among many others (like the pituitary and thyroid); the question seeks a broader classification. Exocrine glands, in contrast to endocrine glands, do not primarily produce hormones and instead secrete fluids such as enzymes or sweat. Salivary glands, while they secrete important substances, fall under the category of exocrine glands and are not associated with hormone secretion.