The endocrine system and the nervous system are both regulatory systems that help in allowing communications from different parts of the human body. Both these regulatory systems have a duty in controlling and coordinating all the signals received from the body to the brain. These regulatory systems, in short, help in maintaining the functioning of the human body.
Endocrine System vs Nervous System
The main difference between the endocrine system and the nervous system is that the signal is sent to the neurons of the brain through electrical impulses or signals of the body in a nervous system, and on the other hand, the signal is sent for the targeted cell of the body through blood streaming in the body by acting like a chemicals messenger by the endocrine system.
The system where glands in the human body produce and act like a chemical messenger, which are called hormones that result in sending signals to the target cell of the body, is known as the endocrine system in the human body. All the glands present in the human body are all organs and parts of the human body that come under the endocrine system.
The system that sends signals to the body through nerve impulses is known as the nervous system. The brain, spinal cord, and many more organs of the body come under the nervous system. These organs and fibres help in sending messages through the targeted cell of the human body. In the human body, the brain is divided into different parts that perform different functions.
Comparison Table Between Endocrine System and Nervous System
| Parameters of Comparison | Endocrine System | Nervous System |
| Messengers | The chemical messengers in this system are hormones. | The messengers in this system are the nerve impulses. |
| Organs present | The different types of glands present in the human body are the organs present in this system. | The brain and spinal cord are the main organs in this system of the human body. |
| Cells | The cells in this system include the nerve cell neuron cell, Schwan cell, and the glial cell. | The cells in this system include the epithelial cell. |
| Effect | The effect is widespread on the body. | The effect is localized in the human body. |
| Transmission | The transmission happens through blood vessels in this system. | The transmission in this system happens through nerve cells. |
What is Endocrine System?
In an endocrine system, each gland produces at least one secretion, which later forms an organ. The adrenal gland is an example of the endocrine system that secretes adrenaline and cortisol. In an endocrine system, there are many different types of hormones that are present, providing several effects in the human body. This process is followed by a negative way of feedback. This is a way of maintaining homeostasis in the body.
The glands that are found in the brain area of the human body are called the pituitary gland and pineal gland. These glands secrete a kind of hormone which helps to trigger the brain to send down the messages to the body. There are many more glands present thought the body.
In the neck region, the thyroid gland and parathyroid gland are found, which continuous by the pancreatic gland and the adrenal gland, both found in the abdomen of the human body. The testes and the ovaries in males and females, respectively, are the glands found in the reproductive parts of the human body.
What is Nervous System?
In a nervous system, the process of its working is in such a way that from the brain, the impulses are travelled to the spinal cord, after which the messages are interpreted in the human body. This same response is later sent back to the brain. This can be affected by any muscle or any organ present in the nervous system of the human body.
This helps in creating a nerve input that helps to send and receive messages. The spinal cord and the brain are attached at a point. This point in the human body is known as the posterior region. This region helps to join parts of the hindbrain. Several nerves enter and exit whenever needed from the brain and spinal cord.
The nervous system is divided into the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. When a particular message in the body is transmitted as the nerve impulses, it is said to be known as the action potential. These transmissions can be taken place in either involuntary or nonvoluntary actions.
Main Differences Between Endocrine System and Nervous System
- The chemical messengers in an endocrine system are the hormones, and on the other hand, the messengers in the nervous system are the nerve impulses.
- The different types of glands present in the human body are the organs present in the endocrine system, and on the other hand, the brain and spinal cord are the main organs in the nervous system of the human body.
- The cells in an endocrine system include the nerve cell neuron cell, Schwan cell, and the glial cell, and on the other hand, the cells in the nervous system include the epithelial cell.
- The effect of the endocrine system is widespread in the human body, and on the other hand, the effect of the nervous system is localized in the human body.
- The transmission is an endocrine system that happens through blood vessels, and on the other hand, the transmission in a nervous system happens through nerve cells.
Conclusion
The nervous systems and the endocrine system are both very essential for the working and functioning of the human body. Even though they arise from the same roots, they have their differences. The nervous system and endocrine system have their differences based on how they function, which organs are present in them, what features they possess, and how they send messages.
Any normal person should know the basic difference between these two systems as it would be easy for them to understand how the human body functions and works. In the end, both the endocrine and the nervous systems help in maintaining and controlling the working of the human body.
References
- https://oem.bmj.com/content/55/7/473.short
- https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/87962