Question

The smallest endocrine gland is
a. Thyroid
b. Pituitary
c. Pineal
d. Thymus

Answer 1

Hint: Endocrine glands are the type of glands that are basically ductless and mainly secrete their product in the blood. Their product which they secrete in the blood is called hormones. Every gland has its own size.

Complete answer:
> The correct option for this question is the third option that is (c) pineal gland. The pineal gland is the type of endocrine gland which is present in the roof of the third ventricle. And the pineal gland shape is similar to the small pine cone and this endocrine gland is considered to be the smallest gland in the body.
> The first option is the thyroid gland, which is an H shaped gland having two lobes in it, which are held together by the help of narrow shaped isthmus.
> This endocrine gland is comparatively larger than the pineal gland hence this option is not true. The second option is the Pituitary gland which is a pea-sized gland that is suspended by the hypothalamus by the thin stalk.
> And if it is compared with the pineal gland, the pituitary is a little larger. So this option is also not true and hence eliminated. The fourth and the last option is the thymus gland which is the type of globular gland, which has its unique structure as it is larger when the body is in childhood but goes and changes to a smaller size when attains puberty.

Note: The endocrine system is generally made up of endocrine glands. Endocrine gland's main role is to secrete hormones. There are a total of eight major types of endocrine glands, which are present in the scattered form all around the body. These all glands are considered to be one system as all have little similarity in the function as well as a similar mechanism of influence. Some glands also have some non-endocrine region of functions like the pancreas, which also has some exocrine functions.