What is the term for an organ that produces and releases chemicals either through ducts or into the bloodstream?

The term for an organ that produces and releases chemicals either through ducts or directly into the bloodstream is "gland." Glands are specialized structures that perform specific functions, particularly in the secretion of substances like hormones, enzymes, or other essential fluids needed for bodily processes.

For instance, endocrine glands release hormones directly into the bloodstream, affecting various organs throughout the body, while exocrine glands release their products through ducts to the surface of an organ or tissue – such as sweat glands or salivary glands. This distinction in function underscores why "gland" is the most accurate term in this context, as it specifically refers to organs with these dynamic roles in chemical management within the body.

In contrast, while the terms organ, tissue, and cell refer to components of living organisms, they do not specifically capture the dual capacity of producing and releasing chemicals like glands do. An organ is a larger structure made up of tissues performing specific functions, while tissue is a collection of similar cells working together, and a cell is the fundamental unit of life. Thus, "gland" is the precise term you are looking for in this question.