Endocrine (glandular) tissue produces hormones, mainly in the form of specialized epithelial and some nerve-derived cells that release hormones directly into the bloodstream.

Core idea

  • The general type of tissue that produces most hormones is endocrine tissue , which is made up largely of glandular epithelial cells.
  • Some hormone-producing structures are also derived from nervous tissue (for example, parts of the pituitary, adrenal medulla, and pineal gland).

A bit more detail

  • Classic endocrine glands (like the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroids, adrenals, pancreas, ovaries, and testes) are composed mainly of secretory epithelial cells that manufacture and secrete hormones.
  • Certain modified nerve cells also act as endocrine cells, such as those in the posterior pituitary and adrenal medulla, which release hormones like oxytocin, vasopressin, epinephrine, and norepinephrine into the blood.

In most school-level questions asking “what type of tissue produces hormones?”, the expected answer is epithelial (glandular) tissue or endocrine (glandular) tissue.