Skip to main content

Tissue Responsiveness

Meaning

Tissue responsiveness is a fundamental endocrinological concept describing the degree to which a specific target tissue or organ exhibits a biological reaction following exposure to a hormone or signaling molecule. This sensitivity is determined not only by the circulating concentration of the hormone but also by the density, affinity, and functional integrity of its specific receptors on or within the target cells. A clinical state of reduced responsiveness, often termed resistance, can lead to pathological conditions even when hormone levels are adequate. Optimal health depends on appropriate and balanced responsiveness across multiple systems.