<P> It occurs between adjacent cells that possess broad patches of closely opposed plasma membrane linked by transmembrane channels known as connexons . The gap between the cells can usually be between only 2 and 4 nm . </P> <P> Diseases of the endocrine system are common, including conditions such as diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease, and obesity . Endocrine disease is characterized by irregulated hormone release (a productive pituitary adenoma), inappropriate response to signaling (hypothyroidism), lack of a gland (diabetes mellitus type 1, diminished erythropoiesis in chronic renal failure), or structural enlargement in a critical site such as the thyroid (toxic multinodular goitre). Hypofunction of endocrine glands can occur as a result of loss of reserve, hyposecretion, agenesis, atrophy, or active destruction . Hyperfunction can occur as a result of hypersecretion, loss of suppression, hyperplastic or neoplastic change, or hyperstimulation . </P> <P> Endocrinopathies are classified as primary, secondary, or tertiary . Primary endocrine disease inhibits the action of downstream glands . Secondary endocrine disease is indicative of a problem with the pituitary gland . Tertiary endocrine disease is associated with dysfunction of the hypothalamus and its releasing hormones . </P> <P> As the thyroid, and hormones have been implicated in signaling distant tissues to proliferate, for example, the estrogen receptor has been shown to be involved in certain breast cancers . Endocrine, paracrine, and autocrine signaling have all been implicated in proliferation, one of the required steps of oncogenesis . </P>

The term that means disease of the endocrine system is