The endocrine system is comprised of glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream to regulate various bodily functions. Key glands include the pituitary gland, which regulates other endocrine glands, thyroid gland, which regulates metabolism, adrenal glands which regulate stress response and metabolism, pancreas which regulates blood sugar through insulin from the islets of Langerhans, ovaries and testes which regulate sexual development and function through sex hormones, and others. Hormones act as chemical messengers to maintain homeostasis.