Neural and Endocrine Regulation

Homeostasis is maintained by two general categories of regulatory mechanisms: (1) those that are intrinsic, or “built-in,” to the organs being regulated and (2) those that are extrinsic, as in regulation of an organ by the nervous and endocrine systems. The endocrine system functions closely with the nervous system in regulating and integrating body processes and maintaining homeostasis. The nervous system controls the secretion of many endocrine glands, and some hormones in turn affect the function of the nervous system. Together, the nervous and endocrine systems regulate the activities of most of the other systems of the body.
Regulation by the endocrine system is achieved by the secretion of chemical regulators called hormones into the blood. Since hormones are secreted into the blood, they are carried by the blood to all organs in the body. Only specific organs can respond to a particular hormone, however; these are known as the target organs of that hormone.
Nerve fibers are said to innervate the organs that they regulate. When stimulated, these fibers produce electrochemical nerve impulses that are conducted from the origin of the fiber to its end point in the target organ innervated by the fiber. These target organs can be muscles or glands that may function as effectors in the maintenance of homeostasis.