From Greek 'endon' (ἔνδον, within) + 'krinein' (κρίνειν, to separate, to secrete, to judge, to decide) + '-logia' (study of), from PIE *krey- (to sieve, to separate, to distinguish). Endocrinology is literally 'the study of internal secretion' — the science of glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream (endocrine) rather than through ducts to the body's surface (exocrine). The root *krey- is the same that producedLatin 'cernere' (to sift, to decide), givingEnglish
Did you know?
'Endocrinology,' 'critic,' 'crisis,' 'crime,' and 'discriminate' all come from Greek 'krinein' (to separate, to judge). Endocrineglands separate hormones internally. A critic is one who judges. A crisis is a decisive moment (a point of judgment). A crime is an accusation (a