Endocrine System and Adolescence

Practice vocabulary flashcards covering the endocrine system glands, their hormonal secretions, and the physical/emotional changes of adolescence.

Exocrine glands

Glands that send their secretions (enzymes) through ducts to target organs, such as salivary glands and the pancreas.

Endocrine glands

Ductless glands that pour their secretions (hormones) directly into the blood to be carried to target organs.

Hormone

A chemical substance secreted by an endocrine gland, poured directly into the blood stream, and acting on a target organ or cell.

Thyroid gland

A bilobed gland situated on either side of the wind pipe, just below the larynx, that secretes thyroxine.

Thyroxine

An iodine-containing protein hormone that speeds up the metabolic rate of the body and stimulates growth in infants.

Simple goitre

An ailment caused by the enlargement of the thyroid gland, appearing as a swelling in the neck, due to insufficient iodine in the diet.

Cretinism

An ailment in infants caused by insufficient thyroxine secretion, resulting in both physical and mental retardation.

Myxoedema

A condition in adults caused by insufficient thyroxine, showing general swelling on the face and hands.

Adrenal glands

Glands located like caps over the kidneys, consisting of a central medulla and a peripheral cortex.

Adrenal medulla

The central part of the adrenal gland that secretes adrenaline, also known as epinephrine or the emergency hormone.

Adrenaline

The "fight or flight hormone" that prepares the body for emergencies by increasing heart beat, respiration, and blood pressure.

Adrenal cortex

The peripheral part of the adrenal gland that secretes hormones like cortisone to regulate metabolism and salt-water balance.

Pancreas

A gland located behind the stomach containing the Islets of Langerhans, which secrete insulin and glucagon.

Islets of Langerhans

A cluster of hormone-secreting cells in the pancreas that produce insulin and glucagon.

Insulin

A hormone that lowers blood glucose by converting it to glycogen, inducing cells to burn glucose, or converting it to fat.

Diabetes mellitus

A condition caused by insufficient insulin secretion, characterized by high blood sugar and glucose in the urine.

Glucagon

A hormone that stimulates the breakdown of glycogen in the liver to glucose, raising the blood sugar level.

Pituitary gland

Known as the "master gland," it is a pea-sized gland located below the brain that regulates other endocrine glands.

Growth hormone (GH)

A hormone produced by the pituitary gland that regulates growth; deficiency causes dwarfism and excess results in gigantism.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

A pituitary hormone that stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroxine.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

A pituitary hormone that influences the production of sperms in males and ova or eggs in females.

Prolactin

A pituitary hormone that stimulates the breasts to produce milk after child birth.

Adolescence

The transitional stage of physical and mental development between childhood and adulthood, occurring between $10$-$19$ years of age.

Puberty

The period during which the reproductive systems of boys and girls mature and they become capable of producing children.

Adam's apple

The protruding part of the throat in boys caused by the growth of a larger larynx during adolescence.

Sebaceous glands

Oil glands in the skin whose increased activity during adolescence can lead to acne and pimples.

Androgens

Male sex hormones produced by the testes, with testosterone being the main one.

Oestrogens

Female sex hormones produced by the ovaries that bring about changes during puberty.

Secondary sexual characteristics

Physical changes such as breast development in girls and facial hair growth in boys that occur at puberty.