endocrine system

cortic/o

cortic/o

cortex

somat/o

body

lact/o

milk

gen

producing

trop

change

adren/o

adrenal glands

testic/o

testicles

ovari/o

ovaries

pancreat/o

pancreatic islets

parathyroid/o

parathyroid glands

pineal/o

pineal gland

pituit/o, pituitar/o

pituitary gland

thym/o

thymus

hormones

chemical messengers that are secreted by endocrine glands directly into the bloodstream

endocrine glands

produce hormones, do not have ducts

pituitary gland (hypophysis)

A pea-sized gland divided into anterior and posterior lobes, hanging from a stalk below the hypothalamus, secretes hormones that regulate other hormones' activity.

adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) (Anterior Pit-G)

stimulates the growth and secretions of the adrenal cortex

follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (Anterior Pit-G)

stimulated the secretion of estrogen and the growth of ova (eggs) in the ovaries in female, stimulated the production of sperm in the testes for males

growth hormone (somatotropic hormone) (Anterior Pit-G)

regulates the growth of bone, muscle, and other body tissues

lactogenic hormone (Prolactin) (Anterior Pit-G)

stimulates and maintains the secretion of breast milk in the mother after childbirth

luteinizing hormone (LH) (Anterior Pit-G)

stimulates ovulation in the female, or secretion of testosterone in males

melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) (Anterior Pit-G)

increases the production of melanin in melanocytes, thereby causing darkening of skin pigmentation, usually occurs during pregnancy

thyroid-stimulating hormone (Anterior Pit-G)

stimulates the secretion of hormones by the thyroid gland

oxy-

swift

-tocin

labor

antidiuretic hormone (Posterior Pit-G)

secreted by the hypothalamus and stored In the pituitary gland; helps control blood pressure by reducing the amount of water that is excreted through the kidneys.

diuretic

administered to increase the amount of urine secretion

oxycotin (posterior pit-g)

stimulates uterine contractions during childbirth; after childbirth, controls postnatal hemorrhage and stimulates the flow of milk from the mammary glands.

pitocin

synthetic form of oxytocin that is administered to induce or speed up labor

pineal gland (pineal body)

very small endocrine gland. Located in the central portion of the wall, secretions influence the sleep-wakefulness cycle

melatonin hormone (Pin-G)

influences the sleep-wakefulness portions of the circadian cycle

circadian cycle

refers to the biological functions that occur within a 24-hour period

thyroid gland

butterfly-shaped, lies on either side of the larynx, just below the thyroid cartilage. Regulates the body’s metabolism, influence growth, and functioning of nervous system

thyroxine and triiodothyronine (TG)

regulate the rate of metabolism and affect the growth and rate of function of many other body systems

calcitonin (TG)

produced by the thyroid gland; hormone that works with the parathyroid hormone to decrease calcium levels in the blood and tissues by moving calcium into storage in the bones and teeth.

Parathyroid Glands

4, each about the size of a grain of rice, are embedded in the posterior surface of the thyroid gland. function is to regulate calcium levels throughout the body

parathyroid hormone (Para-G)

works with calcitonin. Together, they regulate the calcium levels in the blood and tissues

thymus gland

located near the midline in the anterior portion of the thoracic cavity. posterior to the sternum and slightly superior to the heart, function is to develop the body’s immune system before the birth and in childhood. Turns into fatty tissue

thymosin (TG)

plays an important part in the immune system by stimulating the maturation of lymphocytes into T cells.

pancreas

feather-shaped organ located posterior to the stomach that functions as part of both the digestive and the endocrine system

pancreatic islets

parts of the pancreas that have endocrine functions, which are to control blood glucose levels and glucose metabolism through the body

islets

small isolates mass, or island, of one type of tissue within a larger mass of a different type

glucose (PI)

basic form of energy used by the body, known as blood sugar

glucagon (PI)

hormone secreted by the alpha cells of the pancreatic islets in response to low levels of glucose in the bloodstream; increases the glucose level by stimulating the liver to convert glycogen into glucose for release into the bloodstream.

gluc/o, glyc/o

sugar

insulin (PI)

hormone secreted by the beta cells of the pancreatic islets in response to high levels of glucose in the bloodstream. function is to allow glucose to enter the cells when energy is needed, and stimulate the liver to convert glucose into glycogen for storage when not.

oxy-

swift

-tocin

labor

adrenal glands (suprarenals)

named because they are on top of each kidney. each of these glands consist of an outer potion known as the adrenal cortex, and the middle portion (medulla) function is to control electrolyte levels within the body

electrolytes (Adrenal gland)

are mineral substances— calcium, chloride, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium and potassium— that are normally found in the blood and other bodily fluids

androgens (adrenal cortex)

are sex hormones by the gonads, the adrenal cortex, and fat cells. promote the development and maintenance of the male sex characteristics

corticosteroids (adrenal cortex)

are steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex. The same term describes synthetically produced equivalents that are administered as medications

aldosterone (adrenal cortex)

is a corticosteroid that regulates the sodium and water and levels in the body by increasing sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion by the kidneys.

reabsorption

returning a substance to the bloodstream

cortisol (hydrocortisone) (adrenal cortex)

is a corticosteroid that has an anti-inflammatory action. It also helps regulate the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in the body

epinephrine (adrenaline) (adrenal medulla)

stimulates the sympathetic nervous system in response to physical injury or to mental stress such as fear. It also helps the liver release glucose and limits the release of insulin

norepinephrine (adrenal medulla)

is both a hormone and a neurohormone, It is released as a hormone by the adrenal medulla and as a neurohormone by the sympathetic nervous system. It plays an important role in the “fight-or-flight response” by raising blood pressure, strengthening the heartbeat, and stimulating muscle contractions.

gonads glands

gamete-producing glands. these are ovaries in the females and testicles in males. Function is to secrete hormones that are responsible for the development and maintenance of the secondary sex characteristics that develop during puberty.

secondary sex characteristics

refers to features that distinguish the two sexes but are not directly related to reproduction

puberty

process of physical changes by which a child’s body becomes an adult body that is capable of reproducing, marked by maturing of the genital organs, development of secondary sex characteristics , and the first occurrence of menstruation in the female

precocious puberty

early onset of the changes of puberty, usually before age 8 in girls and age 9 in boys

estrogen (G)

hormone secreted by the ovaries that is important for the development and maintenance of the female secondary sex characteristics and in regulation of the menstrual cycle.

progesterone (G)

hormone released during the second half of the menstrual cycle by the corpus luteum in the ovary; its function is to complete the preparation of the uterus for possible pregnancy.

gamete (G)

reproductive cells. sperm (male) and eggs (female)

gonadotropin (G)

any hormone that stimulates the gonads

gonad/o

gonads

tropin

stimulate

steroids

are a large family of hormones derived from cholesterol

anabolic steroids

man-made substances that are chemically related to male sex hormones. they are used in the treatment of hormone problems in men and help the body replace muscle mass lost due to disease. Also used illegally in athletes

leptin

hormones secreted by fat cells that is in regulation of appetite

ghrelin

hormone produced in the gastrointestinal tract.

neurohormones

produced and released by neurons in the brain and deliver oxygen to organs and tissues through the bloodstream

endocrinologist

is a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and malfunctions of the endocrine glands

certified diabetes educator

health care professional qualified to teach people with diabetes how to manage their disease

acromegaly

rare hormonal disorder characterized by abnormal enlargement of the extremities (hands and feet) caused by the excessive secretion of growth hormone after puberty

acr/o

extremities

-megaly

enlargement

gigantism

abnormal growth of the entire body that is caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone before puberty

hyperpituitarism

the excess secretion of growth hormone that causes both acromegaly and gigantism

hypopituitarism

is a condition in which the pituitary gland does not produce enough growth hormone. one of the causes for short stature (dwarfism)

pituitary adenoma (pituitary tumor)

slow-growing benign tumor of the pituitary gland. Functional pituitary tumor often produce hormones in large and unregulated amounts

galactorrhea

condition in which an excess of prolactin causes the breasts to produce milk spontaneously, not due to childbirth

prolactinoma

benign tumor of the pituitary gland that causes it to produce too much prolactin

diabetes insipidus

an uncommon disorder caused by insufficient production of the antidiuretic hormone or by the inability of the kidneys to respond to this hormone.

syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone

caused by the overproduction of the anti-diuretic hormone ADH. This is often as a result of cancer or its treatment. High amounts of ADH keep the kidneys from excreting water, resulting in bloating and water retention that can dilute the blood, causing electrolyte imbalances.

thyroid carcinoma

most common type, high survival rate

hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)

caused by deficiency of thyroid secretion

Hashimoto’s disease (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis)

an autoimmune disease in which the body’s own antibodies attack and destroy cells of the thyroid gland

creinism

congenital form of hypothyroidism

myxedema (adult hypothyroidism)

a severe form of adult hypothyroidism caused by an extreme deficiency of thyroid secretion

Grave’s disease

a disorder of unknown cause in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland and stimulates it to make excessive amount of thyroid hormone

goiter (thyromegaly)

an abnormal, benign enlargement of the thyroid gland. Usually occurs when the thyroid gland is not able to produce enough thyroid hormone to meet body' needs

hyperthyroidism (thyrotoxicosis)

the overproduction of thyroid hormones, which causes an imbalance of metabolism

exophthalmos

abnormal protrusion of the eyeball out of the orbit

thyroid nodules

are lumps in the thyroid that can grow large enough to cause a goiter.

thyroid storm (thyrotoxic crises)

relatively rare, life-threatening condition caused by exaggerated hyperthyroidism. Patients may complain of fever, chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, tremors, increased sweating, disorientation, and fatigue.

hyperparathyroidism

overproduction of the parathyroid hormone, causes the condition known as hypercalcemia

hypoparathyroidism

caused by an insufficient or absent secretion of the parathyroid hormone. can cause hypocalcemia or tetany

tetany

the condition of periodic, painful muscle spasms and tremors

hypercalcemia

characterized by high concentrations of calcium circulating in the blood instead of being stores in the bones and teeth. leads to weakened bones and kidney bones