!Endocrine System
The endocrine (greek for "inner secretion") or hormonal system belongs, like the ((Nervous - System Overview|nervous system)), to the __steering mechanism of the body__. While the nervous system uses electrical impulses for transmission, thereby effecting fast but short-lived reactions in the organs, hormones are spread via ((Circulatory - System Overview|blood))- and ((Circulatory - Lymph-Vessels|lymph vessels)) and can biochemically effect long-termed changes.

The bridge between nervous and hormonal systems is the __hypothalamus__ in the ((Nervous - Brain|brain)), which steers the ANS as well as (via the __pituitary__) the release of hormones. Main goal is to __maintain homeostasis while adapting to changes__ in the external and internal environment. Hormones control metabolism, growth, development, sleep and mood. Beside the specialized endocrine glands, also other organs have hormone-producing functions, like the kidneys, liver, and heart.

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Hormone production uses __cholesterol__ as base material, which is transformed into transmitters by specific enzymes. As their release is stimulated (by liberins from the ((Endocrine - Pituitary Gland - Anterior Lobe|pituitary))), they enter the ((Circulatory - Blood|bloodstream)) through "windows" in the cell membrane and in the vessel wall. The cells in the effector organ possess __receptors__ for the hormone, which also provide __feedback to the brain__.

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According to evolutionary perspective, some endocrine glands have developed from __exocrine organs__. This is illustrated by their biological theme referring to assimilation and digestive functions: a chunk of value or information needs to be processed. In these glands, usually 2 themes and reaction patterns are present: from the __Brain Stem__ (+/-) and the __Cerebral Cortex__ (-/+). The Cortex pattern matches with that of "excretory ducts" in exocrine glands.

The __release or inhibition of sexual hormones__ is influenced by the __territorial relays__ situated in the insular region of the Cerebral Cortex. Constellations of these relays create a "__hormonal scale__" effecting manic or depressive moods. 

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!!META-Organs
According to the perspective of META-Health, organs and organ tissues in the endocrine system  are distinguished on the basis of their unique stress-emotion-belief associations and brain relay locations.
*((Endocrine - Pineal Gland|Pineal Gland)) - Brain Stem (+/-): too much light or darkness disturbing one's natural rhythm
*((Endocrine - Pituitary Gland - Anterior Lobe|Pituitary Gland - Anterior Lobe)) - Brain Stem (+/-): Survival of self and the kind, related to the respective hormonal function
*((Endocrine - Pituitary Gland - Posterior Lobe|Pituitary Gland - Posterior Lobe)) - Cerebral Cortex (-/+): Social bonding & reproduction
*((Endocrine - Thyroid - Follicular Epithelium|Thyroid Glands - Follicular Epithelium)) - Brain Stem (+/-): Inability to reach or rid oneself of a chunk/aim because of being too slow
*((Endocrine -Thyroid - Archaic Excretory Ducts|Thyroid Glands - Archaic Excretory Ducts / Ductus Thyreoglossus)) - Cerebral Cortex (-/+): Power-/ Helplessness or Frontal Fear
*((Endocrine - Thyroid - Parathyroid Glands|Parathyroid Glands)) - Brain Stem (+/-): Inability to reach or rid oneself of a chunk/aim because of muscle function
*((Endocrine - Thymus|Thymus)) - mixed association: Individuality, self-esteem, acceptance
*((Endocrine - Pancreas - Alpha Islet Cells|Pancreas - Alpha Islet Cells)) - Cerebral Cortex (-/+): Resistance / Disgust
*((Endocrine - Pancreas - Beta Islet Cells|Pancreas - Beta Islet Cells)) - Cerebral Cortex (-/+): Resistance / Disgust
*((Endocrine - Adrenal Gland - Cortex|Adrenal Gland - Cortex)) - Cerebral Medulla (-/+): Orientation, wrong decision
*((Endocrine - Adrenal Gland - Medulla|Adrenal Gland - Medulla)) - Brain Stem (+/-): Overload-Stress related to survival 
*((Reproductive - Testicles (Hormone production)|Testicles - Hormone production)) - Cerebral Medulla (-/+): Loss of a person
*((Reproductive - Ovaries - Hormone Production|Ovaries - Hormone Production)) - Cerebral Medulla (-/+): Loss of a person
*Hormonal Scale in ((Endocrine - Pituitary Gland - Posterior Lobe|Territorial Areas)) - Cerebral Insular Cortex (-/+): Position and rank in society
**((Respiratory - Larynx Mucosa |Larynx mucosa)): Speechlessness, fright/competition fear 
**((Respiratory - Bronchial Mucosa and Muscle|Bronchial mucosa)): Speechlessness, fright/competition fear 
**((Circulatory - Coronary Arteries (Intima)|Coronary arteries intima)): Loss of status or love 
**((Circulatory - Coronary Veins (intima)|Coronary veins intima)): Loss of status or love 
**((Digestive - Anal Mucosa (squamous epithelium)|Anal epithelium)): Identity/competition 
**((Digestive - Stomach - Mucosa (Lesser Curvature and Pylorus)|Stomach)) & digestive gland ducts mucosa: Identity/competition 
**((Urinary tract - Mucosa (Urothelium)|Bladder & urinary tract mucosa)): Position-marking, boundaries 

