{"schema":"https://ver.cy/schemas/card/1.0.0","id":"vr.tr.endocrine-system","code":"thing-q11078","url":"https://ver.cy/models/thing/q11078/","name":"endocrine system","alternateNames":["chromaffin system","renin–angiotensin system"],"kind":"thing","status":"published","version":"0.1.0-research.1","language":"en","classifiers":{"family":"Thing Registry","category":"Physical world and living systems","entryKind":"thing","plane":"PHY","domain":["PHY.OBJ"],"industry":[],"navPath":"","tags":[],"facets":{}},"whatItIs":"The endocrine system is the set of ductless glands, dispersed endocrine cells, and circulating hormones that coordinate distant target-cell activity by chemical signalling through the bloodstream (and locally by paracrine/autocrine routes), distinct from neural transmission and from exocrine secretion.","purpose":"Enable an AI agent to recognise an endocrine system, assess the evidence for its regulatory state, and identify justified observations, referrals, or authorised interventions.","scope":{"in":["Endocrine glands, distributed endocrine cells, and their participation in hormone signalling","Hormone production, secretion, circulation, availability, and clearance","Endocrine axes, feedback relationships, and target-tissue responsiveness","Temporal regulation and changes associated with development and physiological context","Evidence of endocrine function, dysfunction, and effects of interventions"],"out":["Whole-organ anatomy and non-endocrine functions owned by individual organ models","Exocrine secretion through ducts and its digestive or surface functions","Neural signalling except where it regulates or receives endocrine signals","Complete reproductive, metabolic, immune, or skeletal systems beyond their endocrine interfaces","Disease-specific diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols","Clinical encounter management, prescribing authority, and consent records"],"boundaries":[]},"distinguishingFeatures":["Determine whether the referent is an organism-level hormone-regulatory system rather than one gland, one hormone, or one endocrine disorder.","Distinguish internal hormone release and target signalling from exocrine delivery through ducts; a mixed-function organ can participate in both.","Identify hormone-producing tissue, a signalling route, and responsive targets; anatomical proximity alone does not establish endocrine participation.","Distinguish endocrine participation from exclusively local paracrine or autocrine signalling, while permitting a molecule or tissue to participate in multiple signalling modes.","Identify endocrine feedback or coordinated regulation rather than treating an isolated hormone concentration as the state of the whole system."],"structure":{"bundles":[{"id":"endocrine-membership","name":"Endocrine membership","description":"Establishes which tissues and signalling activities constitute this organism's endocrine system.","layers":[{"id":"organism-specific-composition","name":"Organism-specific composition","description":"Locates endocrine participation within the organism and its life stage.","findings":[{"id":"documented-hormone-producing-tissues","name":"Documented hormone-producing tissues","description":"Record participating glands and cell populations, their hormone products, and the basis for including them.","questions":[{"text":"Which species and life stage define the endocrine system being modelled?","id":"documented-hormone-producing-tissues-q01","kind":"definition"},{"text":"What evidence establishes hormone production and endocrine participation for each included tissue or cell population?","id":"documented-hormone-producing-tissues-q02","kind":"provenance"}]}]},{"id":"signalling-boundaries","name":"Signalling boundaries","description":"Separates endocrine roles from adjacent functions without splitting mixed-function organs.","findings":[{"id":"endocrine-role-boundary","name":"Endocrine role boundary","description":"Record which activities belong to endocrine signalling and which remain owned by neighbouring models.","questions":[{"text":"For each included signal, what release route and target relationship justify treating it as endocrine?","id":"endocrine-role-boundary-q01","kind":"boundary"},{"text":"Which exocrine, neural, paracrine, or autocrine activities share these tissues but require separate representation?","id":"endocrine-role-boundary-q02","kind":"boundary"}]}]}]},{"id":"hormone-availability","name":"Hormone availability","description":"Represents how hormone production becomes an available signal at a target.","layers":[{"id":"production-and-release","name":"Production and release","description":"Connects hormone products to producing tissues and documented release conditions.","findings":[{"id":"secretory-capacity-and-drive","name":"Secretory capacity and drive","description":"Record evidence about hormone production and release, distinguishing direct observations from inferred capacity.","questions":[{"text":"Which observations support the tissue's ability to produce and release this hormone?","id":"secretory-capacity-and-drive-q01","kind":"provenance"},{"text":"Which measured stimuli or suppressive conditions accompanied the observed hormone level?","id":"secretory-capacity-and-drive-q02","kind":"measurement"}]}]},{"id":"transport-conversion-and-clearance","name":"Transport, conversion, and clearance","description":"Tracks processes between release and target exposure.","findings":[{"id":"available-hormone-form","name":"Available hormone form","description":"Record relevant circulating fractions, molecular forms, and evidence of altered disposition.","questions":[{"text":"Does the observation measure total hormone, free hormone, a precursor, or a metabolite, and in which specimen?","id":"available-hormone-form-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"What evidence supports a contribution from binding, conversion, or clearance to the observed level?","id":"available-hormone-form-q02","kind":"provenance"}]}]}]},{"id":"axes-feedback-and-response","name":"Axes, feedback, and response","description":"Represents coordinated endocrine regulation and the response of target tissues.","layers":[{"id":"regulatory-axis-organisation","name":"Regulatory axis organisation","description":"Maps upstream regulators, downstream signals, and feedback connections.","findings":[{"id":"supported-feedback-relationships","name":"Supported feedback relationships","description":"Record the direction, context, and evidential basis of endocrine regulatory connections.","questions":[{"text":"Which upstream signals, endocrine tissues, downstream hormones, and feedback targets define each represented axis?","id":"supported-feedback-relationships-q01","kind":"definition"},{"text":"Which source supports each stimulatory or inhibitory relationship in this species and physiological context?","id":"supported-feedback-relationships-q02","kind":"provenance"}]}]},{"id":"target-tissue-response","name":"Target-tissue response","description":"Connects hormone exposure to tissue sensitivity and observed physiological effects.","findings":[{"id":"signal-response-concordance","name":"Signal-response concordance","description":"Record whether observed target responses align with hormone exposure, preserving alternative explanations.","questions":[{"text":"Which tissue-specific response measurements accompany the hormone observations, and over what interval?","id":"signal-response-concordance-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"What evidence distinguishes altered target responsiveness from altered hormone availability or a non-endocrine cause?","id":"signal-response-concordance-q02","kind":"provenance"}]}]}]},{"id":"endocrine-observation-context","name":"Endocrine observation context","description":"Makes endocrine observations interpretable across sampling conditions, rhythms, and physiological transitions.","layers":[{"id":"sampling-and-assay-interpretation","name":"Sampling and assay interpretation","description":"Captures the conditions and analytical limitations of hormone measurements.","findings":[{"id":"interpretable-hormone-observation","name":"Interpretable hormone observation","description":"Record sufficient analytical and contextual information to judge whether a result supports comparison or inference.","questions":[{"text":"What specimen, collection time, units, assay method, and relevant collection conditions accompany this result?","id":"interpretable-hormone-observation-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"What source supports the chosen reference interval or decision threshold, and does it apply to this organism and context?","id":"interpretable-hormone-observation-q02","kind":"provenance"},{"text":"Which documented assay interference or specimen limitation could affect interpretation?","id":"interpretable-hormone-observation-q03","kind":"measurement"}]}]},{"id":"rhythms-and-physiological-transitions","name":"Rhythms and physiological transitions","description":"Places observations within endocrine timing and changes in physiological demand.","findings":[{"id":"time-dependent-endocrine-pattern","name":"Time-dependent endocrine pattern","description":"Record temporal patterns and relevant developmental or physiological transitions without assuming one sample represents a stable state.","questions":[{"text":"How do sampling times relate to relevant sleep, feeding, pulse, daily, or reproductive timing?","id":"time-dependent-endocrine-pattern-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"Which longitudinal observations distinguish a persistent change from a transient response or physiological transition?","id":"time-dependent-endocrine-pattern-q02","kind":"measurement"}]}]}]},{"id":"endocrine-state-and-action","name":"Endocrine state and action","description":"Connects bounded functional assessments to exposures, review needs, and authorised action.","layers":[{"id":"functional-state-and-causal-uncertainty","name":"Functional state and causal uncertainty","description":"Records axis-specific assessments and competing explanations.","findings":[{"id":"bounded-endocrine-assessment","name":"Bounded endocrine assessment","description":"Record the supported functional interpretation, its time window, confidence, and unresolved causes.","questions":[{"text":"Which paired hormone and physiological observations support the stated functional assessment of this axis?","id":"bounded-endocrine-assessment-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"What remains unresolved among altered gland function, upstream regulation, hormone disposition, target response, and measurement error?","id":"bounded-endocrine-assessment-q02","kind":"boundary"}]}]},{"id":"exposures-and-authorised-interventions","name":"Exposures and authorised interventions","description":"Tracks endocrine perturbations and the basis for subsequent observation or action.","findings":[{"id":"endocrine-action-basis","name":"Endocrine action basis","description":"Record relevant exposures and interventions, their temporal relationship to findings, and the authority and evidence for next steps.","questions":[{"text":"Which exogenous hormones, medicines, procedures, or other documented exposures preceded the endocrine changes?","id":"endocrine-action-basis-q01","kind":"provenance"},{"text":"Which applicable protocol and authorised decision-maker determine whether further sampling, dynamic testing, specialist review, or intervention is appropriate?","id":"endocrine-action-basis-q02","kind":"action"},{"text":"Which endocrine signals and target responses should be followed to assess the outcome of an authorised intervention?","id":"endocrine-action-basis-q03","kind":"action"}]}]}]},{"id":"evidence-and-external-alignment","name":"Evidence and external alignment","description":"What the world already says about this thing, gathered so the model can be checked against it.","layers":[{"id":"reported-evidence","name":"Reported evidence","description":"Findings from the breadth pass, kept separate from the structural claims.","findings":[{"id":"evidence-kinds","name":"Kinds and varieties","description":"Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these kinds and varieties hold for the sense of endocrine system this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-kinds-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-identifiers","name":"Identifiers and schemes","description":"Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these identifiers and schemes hold for the sense of endocrine system this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-identifiers-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-standards-and-regulation","name":"Standards and regulation","description":"Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these standards and regulation hold for the sense of endocrine system this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-standards-and-regulation-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-real-world-use","name":"Real-world use","description":"Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these real-world use hold for the sense of endocrine system this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-real-world-use-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-measurements","name":"Typical measurements","description":"Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these typical measurements hold for the sense of endocrine system this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-measurements-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-failure-modes-and-hazards","name":"Failure modes and hazards","description":"Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these failure modes and hazards hold for the sense of endocrine system this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-failure-modes-and-hazards-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-regional-variation","name":"Regional variation","description":"Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these regional variation hold for the sense of endocrine system this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-regional-variation-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-neighbours","name":"Neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart","description":"Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart hold for the sense of endocrine system this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-neighbours-q01","kind":"provenance"}]}]}]}]},"agentConduct":{"may":["Explain the endocrine system and its glands in general terms from reputable medical sources.","Report hormone test results to the clinician who ordered them."],"mustNot":["Diagnose endocrine disorders or interpret a person's results as a diagnosis.","Recommend starting, stopping or changing hormone treatment, including thyroid, insulin or steroid medicines.","Promote unproven hormone products or performance-enhancing use of hormones.","Present gender, body size or mood as simply the result of hormones in a way that demeans people."],"requiresHuman":["Any change to a person's hormone or insulin therapy."]},"ethics":{"considerations":["Hormone disorders such as diabetes affect many people and treatment errors can be fatal.","Chemicals that disrupt hormones affect whole populations, often without their knowledge."],"affectedParties":["People with endocrine disorders","Children and pregnant people exposed to disruptors","Patients on hormone therapy"]},"owners":{"steward":"Nobody owns it; it is part of each person's body and the person decides about its care.","roles":[],"masterSystems":[]},"relations":[{"target":"Q112826975","type":"parent","note":"registry parent class"},{"target":"Q126129074","type":"parent","note":"registry parent class"}],"interaction":{"identity":{"applicability":"required","items":["Vercy registry: vr.tr.endocrine-system","Wikidata: Q11078 (https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11078)"]},"properties":{"applicability":"required","items":["Organism and physiological context: Species, developmental stage, reproductive context, and relevant physiological conditions","Endocrine tissue participation: Tissue or cell population → hormone product → endocrine role; evidence status attached","Regulatory connections: Source, target, signal, stimulatory or inhibitory effect, feedback direction, and supported context","Hormone concentration: Analyte-specific units with specimen, collection time, assay, and total or free fraction","Hormone availability and disposition: Binding, activation, inactivation, and clearance status; measured, inferred, or unknown","Target responsiveness: Preserved, reduced, increased, mixed, or unknown; qualified by hormone, tissue, and evidence","Secretory timing: Sampling times, pulse intervals, rhythm phase, amplitude, and observation duration where established","Axis functional assessment: Adequate, deficient, excessive, dysregulated, indeterminate, or unassessed; axis and context specified"]},"recognition":{"applicability":"required","items":["Anatomical representations show multiple separated glands distributed across the body rather than one continuous organ.","Microscopic examination of endocrine tissue shows secretory cells associated with blood vessels and without excretory ducts.","Endocrine cells may form cords, clusters or follicles, so identification depends on organ location and microscopic organization together."]},"capabilities":{"applicability":"required","items":["Map documented endocrine tissues, hormones, targets, and feedback relationships for the organism.","Record and contextualise hormone measurements alongside physiological responses.","Compare longitudinal or paired observations within an endocrine axis and flag unexplained discordance.","Identify missing observations needed to distinguish secretion, transport, clearance, and target-response explanations.","Track endocrine effects of documented exposures and authorised interventions.","Route findings for qualified review using applicable protocols while preserving uncertainty and action authority."]},"hazards":{"applicability":"required","items":["Under- or over-production of hormones causes disorders such as diabetes and thyroid disease.","Endocrine-disrupting chemicals can interfere with development and fertility."]},"interfaces":{"applicability":"required","items":["Terminologia Anatomica, issued by the Federative International Programme for Anatomical Terminology, standardizes anatomical names for endocrine glands and related structures."]},"context":{"applicability":"required","items":["The endocrine system is studied in anatomy, physiology and medicine to explain hormonal coordination of growth, metabolism, reproduction and fluid balance.","Its organs and signaling pathways provide context for interpreting hormone measurements and investigating disorders involving multiple body systems."]}},"sources":[{"title":"Endocrine Glands","url":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279407/","note":"Anatomical definition of ductless glands, hormone transport in blood, and the classical gland list (pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pineal, plus gonads and pancreatic islets as mixed organs)."},{"title":"Endocrine system","url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endocrine_system","note":"System-level definition, distinction from exocrine glands, hypothalamic control, diffuse neuroendocrine cells, and neighbouring concepts (nervous system, exocrine system)."},{"title":"ICD-11 - Endocrine, nutritional or metabolic diseases (chapter 05)","url":"https://icd.who.int/browse/2025-01/mms/en#334423054","note":"Clinical classification of endocrine diseases as a governed diagnostic domain (WHO ICD-11), including gland-specific disease blocks used in practice."},{"title":"MeSH - Endocrine System (D004703)","url":"https://meshb.nlm.nih.gov/record/ui?ui=D004703","note":"Controlled vocabulary identifier and scope: the system of glands that release chemical substances into the blood, covering glands and circulating hormones as catalogued by NLM."},{"title":"Wikidata item Q11078: endocrine system","url":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11078","note":"identity and sense of the item"}],"openQuestions":["Does the registry intend a human endocrine system, vertebrate endocrine systems, or a broader comparative scope requiring different anatomical and signalling structures?","Which distributed endocrine tissues and signals should be mandatory for recognition, and which should be included only when relevant to the organism or task?","What evidence standard should establish endocrine participation when the same molecule also acts through paracrine, autocrine, or neural routes?","Which species-specific sources should govern axis relationships, physiological timing, assay interpretation, and functional assessment?","Which existing Vercy models own overlapping endocrine concepts, disease protocols, and action authority, and should this entry link to an existing world model?"],"resources":{"spec":"/models/things/publications/thing-q11078/spec.json"},"provenance":{"origin":"thing registry research (pass 2)","builtFrom":["models/things/publications/thing-q11078/spec.json"],"providers":["Codex","Grok"],"researchStatus":"unreviewed","generatedAt":"2026-09-07T09:58:27Z","builder":"tools/build_cards.py@1.0.0"},"completeness":{"sections":{"classifiers":"filled","whatItIs":"filled","purpose":"filled","distinguishingFeatures":"filled","structure":"filled","agentConduct":"filled","ethics":"filled","owners":"filled","relations":"filled","interaction.identity":"filled","interaction.properties":"filled","interaction.recognition":"filled","interaction.capabilities":"filled","interaction.hazards":"filled","interaction.interfaces":"filled","interaction.context":"filled","sources":"filled"},"notes":{"_gate":"Published through the thing publication gate 1.0 on 2026-10-07T12:16:28+00:00: completeness 1.00; sense: Wikidata description; 5 live sources; review by codex: pass"},"score":1.0}}