Editing Endocrine system (section)

===Cell signalling===
The typical mode of [[cell signalling]] in the endocrine system is endocrine signaling, that is, using the circulatory system to reach distant target organs. However, there are also other modes, i.e., paracrine, autocrine, and [[neuroendocrine]] signaling. Purely neurocrine signaling between [[neurons]], on the other hand, belongs completely to the [[nervous system]].

====Autocrine====
{{Main|Autocrine signalling}}
Autocrine signaling is a form of signaling in which a cell secretes a hormone or chemical messenger (called the autocrine agent) that binds to autocrine receptors on the same cell, leading to changes in the cells.

====Paracrine====
{{Main|Paracrine signalling}}
Some endocrinologists and clinicians include the paracrine system as part of the endocrine system, but there is not consensus. Paracrines are slower acting, targeting cells in the same tissue or organ. An example of this is [[somatostatin]] which is released by some pancreatic cells and targets other pancreatic cells.<ref name="Marieb" />

====Juxtacrine====
{{Main|Juxtacrine signalling}}
[[Juxtacrine signalling|Juxtacrine]] signaling is a type of intercellular communication that is transmitted via oligosaccharide, lipid, or protein components of a cell membrane, and may affect either the emitting cell or the immediately adjacent cells.<ref>{{Cite book |vauthors=Gilbert F |date=2000 |chapter=Juxtacrine Signaling |title=Developmental Biology |edition=6th |location=Sunderland, MA |publisher=Sinauer Associates |isbn=0-87893-243-7 |url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK10072/ |language=en}}</ref>

It occurs between adjacent cells that possess broad patches of closely opposed plasma membrane linked by transmembrane channels known as [[connexon]]s. The gap between the cells can usually be between only 2 and 4&nbsp;nm.<ref name=":0">{{cite book |title=Vander's Human Physiology: the mechanisms of body function |last=Vander |first=Arthur |name-list-style=vanc |publisher=McGraw-Hill Higher Education |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-07-304962-5 |location=Boston |pages=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780071283663/page/332 332–333] |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780071283663/page/332}}</ref>