性-人类性的基本层面
Sex - Basic Aspects of Human Sexuality

激素的作用：激素是什么？

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激素（希腊语 hormaein：刺激）是一种由内分泌（希腊语 endocrine）腺所产生的化学物质。它们进入血液并且在体内调节各种各样的生理过程。激素所涉及的人体的性方面，下列三种内分泌腺特别的重要：1.垂体；2.女性和男性性腺（卵巢或睾丸）；3.肾上腺。

1.垂体 是一个位于脑的下方的约花生大小的器官，它分泌刺激其他腺体的激素，例如性腺。由于这个缘故，它也被称为“主腺”。

2.性腺 卵巢分泌雌性激素和黄体酮，俗称“女性激素”。睾丸分泌雄性激素，俗称“男性激素”。

3.肾上腺 也分泌上述部分性激素。
 

The Role of Hormones: What are hormones?

Hormones (gr. hormaein: to stimulate) are chemical substances produced by internally secreting (gr. endocrine) glands. These substances enter the bloodstream and stimulate various processes inside the body. In the context of human sexuality, the following three endocrine glands are especially important: 1. the pituitary gland, 2. the female or male gonads (ovaries or testicles) and 3. the adrenal glands.

1. The pituitary gland is a peanut-size organ located beneath the brain, and it produces hormones which stimulate other glands, for example, the gonads. For this reason, it is also sometimes called the "master gland".

2. The gonads:
The ovaries produce, a.o. the so-called 'female' hormones estrogen and progesterone.
The testicles produce a.o. the so-called 'male' hormone testosterone.

3. The adrenal glands also produce a small portion of all of these hormones.