endocrine
endocrine
Adjective
This term describes a specific biological mechanism of secretion where substances are released directly into the bloodstream. It is distinguished from exocrine secretion, which utilizes ducts to transport substances to a specific surface or organ. In medical and scientific discourse, the word carries a neutral, technical connotation. It is almost exclusively used as a modifier for other nouns, such as glands or systems, to specify the hormonal nature of the biological process being discussed.