hormone

(hor′mōn″)

To hear audio pronunciation of this topic, purchase a subscription or log in.

[Gr. horman, to excite, urge on]

1. A substance originating in an organ, gland, or body part, conveyed through the blood to another body part, and chemically stimulating that part to increase or decrease functional activity or to increase or decrease secretion of another hormone.
2. The secretion of the ductless glands, e.g., insulin from the pancreas.
SEE: endocrine gland
hormonal (hor-mōn′ăl), adj.

There's more to see -- the rest of this topic is available only to subscribers.