Endocrine System Key Terms and Concepts

Vocabulary flashcards covering key endocrine terminology, medical combining forms, and related conditions based on lecture material.

Adenohypophysis

Anterior pituitary gland

Adrenal cortex

Outer portion of the adrenal gland that secretes corticosteroids

Adrenal gland

Gland perched on top of the kidney; consists of two distinct glands (the adrenal medulla and the adrenal cortex)

Adrenal medulla

Inner portion of adrenal gland that functions as part of the sympathetic nervous system

Alpha cell

Type of cell within the pancreatic islets that secretes the hormone glucagon

Beta cell

Type of cell within the pancreatic islets that secretes the hormone insulin

Catecholamines

Epinephrine and norepinephrine; secreted by the adrenal medulla

Corticosteroids

Steroid hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex

Delta cell

Type of cell within the pancreatic islets that secretes the hormone somatostatin

Endocrine gland

Ductless glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream

Glucocorticoids

Hormones secreted by the middle layer of the adrenal cortex; primary glucocorticoid is cortisol

Gonads

Primary sex organs, which are the testes in males and ovaries in females

Graves' disease

Disorder resulting from hypersecretion of thyroid hormone

Hormones

Chemicals secreted by glands and specialized cells of the endocrine system

Hypophyseal portal system

System of blood vessels connecting the hypothalamus with the anterior pituitary; receives hormones released by the hypothalamus

Inhibiting hormones

Hormones that suppress hormone secretion by the anterior pituitary

Islets of Langerhans

Endocrine cells inside the pancreas; also called pancreatic islets

Mineralocorticoids

Hormones secreted by the outermost layer of the adrenal cortex; primary mineralocorticoid is aldosterone

Negative feedback

Process whereby the output of a gland is fed back in a manner that reduces further output

Neurohypophysis

Posterior pituitary gland

Pancreas

Secretes digestive enzymes (exocrine function) as well as hormones used to regulate blood glucose levels (endocrine function)

Parathyroid glands

Glands embedded on the posterior surface of the thyroid gland that secrete a hormone used to regulate blood calcium levels

Pineal gland

Produces the hormone melatonin, which increases at night and decreases during the day

Pituitary gland

Small gland attached to the lower surface of the hypothalamus that secretes a number of hormones that regulate many bodily processes; consists of an anterior and posterior lobe

Releasing hormones

Hormones that stimulate the anterior pituitary to secrete its hormones

Sex steroids

Hormones secreted by the innermost layer of the adrenal cortex; sex steroids include androgen and estrogen

Target cells

Cells having receptors for a particular hormone

Tetany

Sustained muscle contraction; may result from hypocalcemia

Thymus

Secretes hormones having a role in the development of the immune system

Thyroid gland

Gland in the neck that secretes hormones that affect the body's metabolic rate

Exocrine glands

Glands with ducts that carry their secretions to the body's surface

Acromegaly

Condition caused by hypersecretion of growth hormone during adulthood

Homeostasis

Ability of the body to maintain a state of equilibrium within its internal environment, regardless of changing conditions in the outside environment

Metabolism

Sum of all chemical and physical processes occurring within living cells

Endocrinology

Branch of medicine concerned with diagnosis and treatment of hormone imbalances and diseases that affect the endocrine glands

aden/o

Combining form meaning gland

calc/o

Combining form meaning calcium

gluc/o

Combining form meaning sugar, sweetness

glyc/o

Combining form meaning sugar, sweetness

pancreat/o

Combining form meaning pancreas

parathyroid/o

Combining form meaning parathyroid glands

Adenoma

Tumor composed of glandular tissue

Adrenalectomy

Excision or removal of an adrenal gland

Hypocalcemia

Deficiency of calcium in the blood

Glucogenesis

Forming or producing sugar

Hyperglycemia

Excessive or above normal sugar in the blood

Pancreatitis

Inflammation of the pancreas

Parathyroidectomy

Excision or removal of parathyroid glands