Which gland is listed as an endocrine gland in the material?

Which gland is listed as an endocrine gland in the material?

• A. Pituitary
• B. Liver
• C. Spleen
• D. Lung

Answer: (A)

Endocrine glands release hormones directly into the bloodstream to regulate distant targets. The pituitary gland is a prime example of an endocrine gland, producing hormones that control growth, metabolism, stress responses, and the activity of other glands. The liver, spleen, and lungs serve other primary roles—metabolism and detoxification for the liver, immune and blood-filtering functions for the spleen, and gas exchange for the lungs—so they aren’t classified as endocrine glands in the material. Therefore, the pituitary gland is the endocrine gland listed.

Endocrine glands release hormones directly into the bloodstream to regulate distant targets. The pituitary gland is a prime example of an endocrine gland, producing hormones that control growth, metabolism, stress responses, and the activity of other glands. The liver, spleen, and lungs serve other primary roles—metabolism and detoxification for the liver, immune and blood-filtering functions for the spleen, and gas exchange for the lungs—so they aren’t classified as endocrine glands in the material. Therefore, the pituitary gland is the endocrine gland listed.