Endocrine Vocab

Endocrine System

includes cells, tissues, and organs that secretes substances called hormones into the internal environment

Hormones

Substance secreted by an endocrine gland and transported in the blood which has actions on target cells

Target Cells

cells with specific receptors on which a hormone exerts its effect

Prostaglandins

a group of compounds with powerful hormone like effects

Growth Hormones

hormone released by the anterior pituitary that promotes growth of the organism; somatotropin

Prolactin

hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary that stimulates milk production in the mammary glands

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone

hormone secreted from the anterior pituitary that controls secretion from the thyroid gland

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone

hormone that the anterior pituitary secretes to stimulate activity in the adrenal cortex

Follicle Stimulating Hormone

hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary to stimulate development of an ovarian follicle in a female or sperm cell production in a male

Luteinizing Hormone

a hormone that the anterior pituitary secretes that controls formation of the corpus luteum in females and testosterone secretion in males

Testes

Primary male reproductive organ; sperm cell producing organ

Ovaries

primary female reproductive organ that produces oocytes

Antidiuretic Hormone

hormone of the posterior pituitary gland that enhances water conservation in the kidneys

Oxytocin

hormone released by the posterior pituitary that contracts smooth muscles in the uterus and mammary glands

Diuretic

a chemical that increases urine production

Thyroxine

hormone secreted by the thyroid gland; T4

Triiodothyronine

type of thyroid hormone; T3

Calcitonin

hormone from the thyroid gland that helps regulate blood calcium concentration

Parathyroid hormone

hormone secreted by the parathyroid glands that helps regulate the levels of blood calcium and phosphate ions

Adrenal glands

endocrine gland on the superior portion of each kidney

Adrenal medulla

inner part of the adrenal gland

Adrenal cortex

outer part of the adrenal gland

Epinephrine

hormone the adrenal medulla secretes during times of stress

Aldosterone

adrenal cortical hormone that regulates sodium and potassium ion concentrations and fluid volume

Cortisol

glucocorticoid secreted by the adrenal cortex

Pancreas

glandular organ in the abdominal cavity that secretes hormones and digestive enzymes

Glucagon

hormone secreted by the pancreatic islets that releases glucose from glycogen

Insulin

hormone the pancreatic islets secrete that stimulate s cells to take up glucose

Pineal Gland

a small structure in the central brian that secretes the hormone melatonin which controls certain biological rhythms

Melatonin

hormone that the pineal gland secretes

Circadian Rhythms

pattern of repeated behavior associated with cycles of night and day

Thymus

glandular organ in the mediastinum behind the sternum and between the lungs

Thymosins

group of peptides the thymus secretes increases production of certain types of white blood cells

Placenta

structure that attaches the fetus to the uterine wall, delivering nutrients to and removing wastes from the fetus