Endocrine system gonads, have secondary endocrine functions. For example, the kidney secretes endocrine hormones such as erythropoietin and renin. Hormones can consist of either amino acid complexes, steroids, eicosanoids, leukotrienes, or prostaglandins. The endocrine system is in contrast to the exocrine system, which secretes its hormones to the outside of the body using ducts. As opposed to endocrine factors that travel considerably longer distances via the circulatory system, other signaling molecules, such as paracrine factors involved in paracrine signalling diffuse over a relatively short distance. The word "endocrine" derives via New Latin from the Greek words , "endon", "inside, within," and ,
Gastric glands neck cells" that produce mucus. This is thought to be different from the mucus produced by the gastric mucosa. Fundic glands found in the fundus and also in the body have another two cell types–gastric chief cells and parietal cells (oxyntic)). The chief cells are found in the basal regions of the gland and release a zymogen – pepsinogen, a precursor to pepsin. The parietal cells ("parietal" means "relating to a wall") are found in the walls of the tubes. The parietal cells secrete hydrochloric acid–the main component of gastric acid. This needs to be readily available for the stomach