Human Body in Health and Illness Study Guide

A collection of vocabulary flashcards derived from lecture notes on human body systems, including their functions, hormones, and related conditions.

Hypothalamus

A region of the brain that secretes hormones such as ACTH, TSH, and gonadotropins.

Thyroid Hormones

T3 and T4, which help regulate metabolism and are secreted by the thyroid gland.

Insulin and Glucagon

Hormones secreted by the pancreas that regulate blood glucose levels.

Islets of Langerhans

Clusters of cells in the pancreas that produce insulin and glucagon.

Steroids

Hormones that include glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and androgens.

Adrenal Medulla

Part of the adrenal glands associated with the fight-or-flight response.

Iodine-containing hormones

Hormones that regulate metabolic rate and include T3 and T4.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

A hormone secreted by the neurohypophysis that helps regulate water balance.

Anterior Pituitary Gland

Gland that releases hormones such as TSH, ACTH, and growth hormone.

Calcitonin

A hormone that helps control plasma levels of calcium.

Growth Hormone (GH)

Hormone that stimulates growth and cell reproduction.

Testosterone

An androgen hormone responsible for the development of male characteristics.

Epinephrine

A catecholamine secreted by the adrenal medulla that increases heart rate and blood glucose levels.

Goiter

Enlargement of the thyroid gland.

Lactogenic Hormone

A hormone that stimulates mammary glands to produce milk.

Hypocalcemic tetany

Condition that may be caused by a deficiency of parathyroid hormone (PTH).

Pineal Gland

Endocrine gland that secretes melatonin and regulates biological rhythms.

Cushing's Syndrome

Disorder caused by excessive cortisol, characterized by symptoms like weight gain and high blood pressure.

Hyperglycemia

Condition of abnormally high blood glucose levels.

Diabetes Insipidus

A condition characterized by excessive urine production and dehydration due to ADH deficiency.

Negative feedback control

Mechanism by which the secretion of a hormone is inhibited by its own effects.

Hormonal Regulation

The control of physiological functions via hormones.

Neurohypophysis

The posterior part of the pituitary gland.

Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Hormone that triggers ovulation and stimulates the secretion of testosterone.

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

Hormone that stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles in females and spermatogenesis in males.

Ovulation

The release of an egg from the ovary.

Corpus luteum

Structure that forms from the follicle after ovulation and secretes hormones like progesterone.

Myxedema

Severe hypothyroidism, characterized by swelling of the skin and underlying tissues.

Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)

Hormone secreted by the parathyroid glands that increases levels of calcium in the blood.

Autoimmunity

An immune response in which the body attacks its own cells.

Erythropoietin

Hormone produced by the kidneys that stimulates the production of red blood cells.

Kidney filtration

The process by which blood is cleared of waste by the kidneys.

Nephron

The functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtration and urine formation.

Acidosis

Condition characterized by decreased blood pH.

Alkalosis

Condition characterized by increased blood pH.

Shock

A life-threatening condition that occurs when the body's organs and tissues are not receiving enough blood flow.

Diabetes Mellitus

A group of diseases that result in high blood sugar levels over prolonged periods.

Kidney Stones

Solid deposits of minerals and salts that form in the kidneys.

Hemorrhage

Excessive bleeding that can lead to hypovolemic shock.

Anemia

A condition in which you lack enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your body's tissues.

Dehydration

Loss of excessive amounts of water from the body.

Thrombus

A blood clot that forms in a vessel and remains attached to the site of its formation.

Plasma

The clear fluid part of blood, in which cells are suspended.

Antigen

A foreign substance that induces an immune response.

Antibody

A protein produced by the immune system in response to an antigen.

Complement system

Group of proteins that enhance the effectiveness of antibodies.

Vascular resistance

The resistance that must be overcome to push blood through the circulatory system.

Myocardial infarction

Another term for a heart attack, characterized by the loss of blood supply to the heart muscle.

Atherosclerosis

Condition in which fatty deposits build up on the walls of arteries, leading to reduced blood flow.

Cardiac output

The volume of blood the heart pumps per minute.

Heart rate

The number of heartbeats per minute.

Stroke volume

The amount of blood pumped by the left ventricle of the heart in one contraction.

Blood pressure

The force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of the body's arteries.

Pulmonary circulation

The segment of the circulatory system that carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs and returns oxygenated blood back to the heart.

Systemic circulation

The segment of the circulatory system that carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the body and returns deoxygenated blood back to the heart.

Diastole

Phase of the heartbeat when the heart muscle relaxes and allows the chambers to fill with blood.

Systole

Phase of the heartbeat when the heart muscle contracts and pumps blood from the chambers into the arteries.

Tachycardia

An abnormally rapid heart rate.

Bradycardia

An abnormally slow heart rate.

Lymphatic system

The part of the circulatory system consisting of lymphatic vessels that carry lymph.

Interstitial fluid

Fluid that surrounds the cells in your tissues.

Hemostasis

The process of stopping bleeding, which involves blood clotting.

Bicarbonate buffer system

Buffer system that helps maintain pH balance in the blood.

Acid-base balance

The equilibrium between acid and base concentrations in the body.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

Hormone produced during pregnancy that helps maintain the corpus luteum.

Menstrual cycle

The monthly series of changes a woman's body goes through in preparation for the possibility of pregnancy.

Fetus

A developing human from roughly eight weeks after conception until birth.

Gestation

The period of development of a fetus inside the womb.

Menopause

The time in a woman's life when her menstrual periods stop permanently.

Endometriosis

A disorder in which tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus grows outside the uterus.

Placenta previa

A condition in pregnancy where the placenta is located low in the uterus and covers part or all of the cervix.

Gestational diabetes

Diabetes that develops during pregnancy.

Colostrum

The first form of milk produced by mammals immediately following delivery.

Lactogenesis

The process of milk production.

Oxytocin

A hormone that causes milk ejection and uterine contraction.

Estrogen

A group of hormones that play a role in the development of female sexual characteristics and reproductive functions.

Progesterone

Hormone involved in preparing the uterus for pregnancy and maintaining it.

Somatotropin

Growth hormone that stimulates growth and cell reproduction.

Calcitonin

Hormone secreted by the thyroid gland that lowers blood calcium levels.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH)

Hormone that raises blood calcium levels.

Corticosteroids

Steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Treatment used to relieve symptoms of menopause by replacing hormones that are at lower levels.

Toxic shock syndrome

A bacterial infection that can occur in menstruation and is often associated with tampon use.

Menstrual cycle phase

The phases of menstruation include the follicular phase, ovulation, luteal phase, and menstruation.

Oliguria

Low urine output.

Anuria

Absence of urine production.

Diuretics

Medications that promote the excretion of urine.

Ketoacidosis

A serious complication of diabetes that occurs when the body produces high levels of ketones due to inadequate insulin.

Exopthalmos

Abnormal protrusion of the eyeball, often associated with thyroid disease.

Hemoglobin A1c

A measure of blood sugar levels over a period of two to three months.

Hypoglycemia

Abnormally low blood sugar levels.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4 inhibitors)

A class of drugs for lowering blood sugar in type 2 diabetes.

Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2 inhibitors)

A class of medications used to promote weight loss and lower blood glucose.

Chronic hyperglycemia

Chronically elevated blood glucose levels, typically associated with type 2 diabetes.

Glycemic index

A measure that ranks foods according to their effect on blood sugar levels.

Bromocriptine

A drug used to treat Parkinson's disease and sometimes diabetes.

Déjà vu

The feeling that one has lived through the present situation before.

Hormonal cycle of females

Includes phases of the menstrual cycle and hormonal changes that lead to menstruation and ovulation.

Ovarian reserve

The number and quality of eggs available in the ovaries.

Androgens

Hormones primarily responsible for male traits and reproductive activity.