| Noun | 1. | endocrine gland - any of the glands of the endocrine system that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream Synonyms: ductless gland, endocrine |
a group of specialized cells that release hormones into the blood. For example, the islets in the pancreas, which secrete insulin, are endocrine glands.
adenohypophysis, adrenal, adrenal cortex, adrenal gland, adrenal medulla, anterior pituitary, anterior pituitary gland, corpus luteum, ductless gland, endocrine, endocrine system, epiphysis, epiphysis cerebri, gland, gonad, hypophysis, islands of Langerhans, isles of Langerhans, islets of Langerhans, neurohypophysis, parathyroid, parathyroid gland, pars anterior, pars distilis, pars intermedia, pars nervosa, pineal body, pineal gland, pituitary, pituitary body, pituitary gland, posterior pituitary, posterior pituitary gland, prostate, prostate gland, secreter, secretor, secretory organ, sex gland, suprarenal gland, thymus, thymus gland, thyroid, thyroid gland