Exploring Medical Language: Chapter 16- Endocrine system

Endocrine system

Consists of glands that control many of the body's activities by producing hormones.

pituitary gland (hypophysis cerebri)

approximately the size of a pea and located at the base of the brain. The pituitary gland is divided into two lobes. It is often referred to as the master gland because it produces hormones that stimulate the function of the other endocrine glands.

anterior lobe (adenohypophysis)

produces and secretes hormones

Growth Hormone (GH)

regulates the growth of the body

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

stimulates the adrenal cortex

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

stimulates thyroid gland

gonadotropic hormones (FSH and LH)

stimulates the gonads. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are the gonadotropic hormones released from the adenohypophysis.

Prolactin (PRL)

promotes development of glandular tissue during pregnancy and produces milk after birth of an infant

posterior lobe

stores and releases antidiuretic hormone and oxytocin (also called neurohypophysis)

antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

stimulates the kidney to reabsorb water and constricts blood vessels to help maintain blood pressure (also called vasopressin)

oxytocin

stimulates uterine contractions during labor and postpartum, and milk let down by the breasts postpartum.

hypothalamus

located superior to the pituitary gland in the brain. The hypothalamus secretes "releasing" hormones that function to stimulate or inhibit the release of pituitary gland hormones.

thyroid gland

largest endocrine gland. it is located anteriorly in the neck below the larynx and comprises bilateral lobes connected by an isthmus. the thyroid gland secretes the hormones triiodothyronine (T3) & thyroxine (T4), which requires iodine for their production. Thyroxine is necessary for body cell metabolism.

parathyroid glands

four small bodies embedded in the posterior aspect of the lobes of the thyroid gland. Parathyroid hormone (PTH), the hormone produced by the glands, helps maintain the levels of calcium in the blood by its effects on bone and kidneys.

islets of Langerhans

clusters of endocrine tissue found throughout the pancreas, made up of different cell types that secrete various hormones, including insulin and glucagon. Non-endocrine cells found throughout the pancreas produce enzymes that facilitate digestion

adrenal glands

paired glands, one above each kidney. the outer portion is called the adrenal cortex, and the inner portion is called the adrenal medulla. the following hormones are secreted by the adrenal glands.

cortisol

secreted from the adrenal cortex, aids the body during stress by increasing glucose levels and suppressing immune system function. (hydrocortisone)

Aldosterone

secreted by the adrenal cortex. Electrolytes (mineral salts) that are necessary for normal body function are regulated by this hormone.

epinephrine and norepinephrine

secreted by the adrenal medulla. these hormones help the body to deal with stress by increasing the blood pressure, heartbeat, and respirations. (adrenaline & noradrenaline)

adren/o, adrenal/o

adrenal glands

cortic/o

cortex (the outer layer of a body organ)

endocrin/o

endocrine

parathyroid/o

parathyroid glands

pituitar/o

pituitary gland

thyroid/o

thyroid gland

acr/o

extremities, height

calc/i

Calcium

dips/o

thirst

glyc/o

sugar

kal/i

Potassium

natr/o

Sodium

eu-

good, normal

hyper-

above, excessive

hypo-

below, incomplete, deficient, under

pan-

all, total

poly-

many, much

syn-

together, joined

-al

pertaining to

-drome

run, running

-ectomy

excision, surgical removal

-emia

in the blood

-ia

diseased or abnormal state, condition of

-ism

state of

-itis

inflammation

-logist

one who studies and treats (specialist, physician)

-logy

study of

-megaly

enlargement

-oma

tumor, swelling

-pathy

disease

-plasia

condition of formation, development, growth

acromegaly

enlargement of the extremities (and face due to increased soft tissue, bone, and cartilage; caused by excessive production of the growth hormone by the pituitary gland after puberty)

adrenalitis

inflammation of the adrenal glands

adrenomegaly

enlargement (of one or both) of the adrenal glands

endocrinopathy

any disease of the endocrine system

hypercalcemia

excessive calcium in the blood

hyperglycemia

excessive sugar in the blood

hyperkalemia

excessive potassium in the blood

hyperparathyroidism

state of excessive parathyroid gland activity (resulting in hypercalcemia and leading to osteoporosis, as well as symptoms of muscle weakness, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness)

hyperpituitarism

state of excessive pituitary gland activity (characterized by excessive secretion of pituitary hormones)

Hyperthyroidism

state of excessive thyroid gland activity (characterized by excessive secretion of thyroid hormones). Signs and symptoms include weight loss, irritability, and heat intolerance.

Hypocalcemia

deficient calcium in the blood

hypoglycemia

deficient sugar in the blood

hypokalemia

deficient potassium in the blood

hyponatremia

deficient sodium in the blood

Hypopituitarism

state of deficient pituitary gland activity (characterized by decreased secretion of one or more of the pituitary hormones, which can affect the function of the target endocrine gland; for example, hypothyroidism can result from decreased secretion of thyroid-stimulating hormone by the pituitary gland)

hypothyroidism

state of deficient thyroid gland activity (characterized by decreased secretion of thyroid hormones. Signs and symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, and cold intolerance.)

*results in decreased production of thyroxine*

*myxedema severe hypothyroidism in adults, congenital hypothyroidism is severe hypothyroidism in infants*

panhypopituitarism

state of total deficient pituitary gland activity (characterized by decreased secretion of all the pituitary hormones; this is a more serious condition than hypopituitarism in that it affects the function of all the other endocrine glands)

parathyroidoma

tumor of a parathyroid gland

thyroiditis

inflammation of the thyroid gland

Addison Disease

chronic syndrome resulting from a deficiency in the hormonal secretion of the adrenal cortex (signs and symptoms: weakness, weight loss, hypotension, darkening of skin, and loss of appetite)

congenital hypothyroidism

condition caused by absence or atrophy of the thyroid gland, resulting in hypothyroidism. The disease is characterized by puffy features, mental deficiency, large tongue, and short stature.

Cushing syndrome

group of signs and symptoms attributed to the excessive production of cortisol by the adrenal cortices. This syndrome may be the result of a pituitary tumor that produces ACTH or a primary adrenal cortex hypersecretion. Signs include abnormally pigmented skin, "moon face", pads of fat on chest and abdomen, "buffalo hump" (fat on upper back), wasting away of muscle, and hypertension.

diabetes insipidus (DI)

result of decreased secretion of antidiuretic hormone by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland. Symptoms include excessive thirst (polydipsia), large amounts of urine (polyuria), and water being excreted from the body.

diabetes mellitus (DM)

chronic disease involving a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism caused by under-activity of the islets of Langerhans and characterized by elevated blood sugar (hyperglycemia). DM can cause chronic renal disease, retinopathy, and neuropathy. In extreme cases the patient may develop ketosis, acidosis, and finally coma.

gigantism

condition brought about by hypersecretion of growth hormone by the pituitary gland before puberty

Graves disease

autoimmune disorder of the thyroid gland characterized by the production of more thyroid hormone than the body needs (hyperthyroidism), goiter, and exophthalmos (abnormal protrusion of the eyeballs)

Hashimoto thyroiditis, Hashimoto disease

disease in which thyroid gland cells are destroyed by autoimmune processes. Characterized by hypothyroidism and goiter, more common in women.

ketoacidosis

serious condition resulting from uncontrolled diabetes mellitus in which acid ketones accumulate from fat metabolism in the absence of adequate insulin. if not promptly controlled by adequate insulin and hydration, can progress to coma and death.

Metabolic Syndrome (Syndrome X/Insulin resistance syndrome)

group of signs and symptoms including insulin resistance, obesity characterized by excessive fat around the waist and abdomen, hypertension, hyperglycemia, elevated triglycerides, and low levels of the "good" cholesterol HDL. Risks include development of type two diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, or stroke.

myexedema

condition resulting from an extreme deficiency of the thyroid hormone thyroxine; a severe form of hypothyroidism in an adult. Signs include puffiness of the face and hands, coarse and thickened skin, enlarged tongue, slow speech, and anemia.

neuroblastoma

malignant tumor that often starts in the adrenal medulla, composed of immature nerve cells. (primarily affects children)

phenochromocytoma

tumor of the adrenal medulla, which is usually non-malignant and characterized by hypertension, headaches, palpitations, diaphoresis, chest pain, and abdominal pain

thyrotoxicosis

condition caused by excessive thyroid hormones

Types of Diabetes Mellitus

type 1 and type 2

adrenalectomy

surgical removal (excision) of one or both adrenal glands

parathyroidectomy

excision of (one or more) parathyroid glands

thyroidectomy

excision of the thyroid gland

radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU)

nuclear medicine scan that measures thyroid function, particularly when distinguishing different causes of hyperthyroidism. Radioactive iodine is given to the patient orally, after which the amount of its uptake into the thyroid gland is measured.

sestamibi parathyroid scan

Nuclear medicine scan used to localize hyperactive parathyroid glands that take up an abnormal amount of radioactive substances. Usually used to identify the glands that are then surgically removed

thyroid sonography

ultrasound test of the thyroid gland used to indicate whether a thyroid nodule is likely benign or possibly malignant; also used to monitor and evaluate structure (also used to guide a fine needle aspiration [FNA] biopsy)

fasting blood sugar (FBS)

blood test to determine the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood after fasting for 8-10 hours. Elevation may indicate diabetes mellitus.

fine needle aspiration (FNA)

biopsy technique that uses a narrow hollow needle to obtain a tiny amounts of tissue for pathologic examination.

glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C)

blood test used to diagnose diabetes and monitor its treatment by measuring the amount of glucose bound to hemoglobin in the blood. HbA1c provides an indication of blood sugar level over the past three months, covering the 120-day lifespan of the red blood cells (glycated hemoglobin, hemoglobin A1c, & A1c test)

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone level (TSH)

blood test that measures the amount of thyroid-stimulating hormone in the blood; used to diagnose hypothyroidism and to monitor patients on thyroid replacement therapy

thyroxine level (T4)

blood test that gives the direct measurement of the amount of thyroxine in the patient's blood. A greater-than-normal amount indicates hyperthyroidism; a less-than-normal amount indicates hypothyroidism

adrenocorticohyperplasia

excessive development of the adrenal cortex

euglycemia

normal (level of) sugar in the blood (within normal range)

euthyroid

Normal thyroid gland activity

glycemia

sugar in the blood

polydipsia

abnormal state of much thirst