HIM103 - 13 - STUDY GUIDE

HOMEOSTASIS

The process through which the body maintains a constant internal environment.

Maintained by hormones in the blood.

PITUITARY GLAND

Known as the hypophysis and the "master gland."

Divided into two parts, the anterior and the posterior lobes.

These lobes hang from a stalk-like structure located below the hypothalamus in the brain.

PINEAL GLAND

Known as the pineal body.

Located in the central portion of the brain.

Takes its name from the Latin word for pinecone, referring to the shape of the gland.

THYROID GLAND

A butterfly-shaped gland that lies on either side of the larynx.

MELATONIN

The pineal gland secretes __________.

Vital in sleep-wake cycle regulation

METABOLISM

The thyroid gland regulates __________, growth and nervous system.

PARATHYROID GLAND

A pair of 4 glands embedded in the posterior surface of the thyroid gland.

Independent of thyroid gland.

CALCIUM

The parathyroid gland regulates __________ in the body.

THYMUS

A gland located near the midline in the anterior portion of the thoracic cavity.

Posterior to the sternum and slightly superior to the heart.

THYMOSIN

The thymus functions as part of the endocrine system by secreting __________,

Helps develop the body's immune system before birth and in childhood.

Greatly reduced after puberty, and it slowly turns into fatty tissue

PANCREAS

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

Contains the Islets of Langerhans.

ISLETS OF LANGERHANS

Parts of the pancreas that have endocrine functions.

ISLET

A small, isolated mass, or island, of one type of tissue within a larger mass of a different type.

GLUCAGON

The hormone secreted by the alpha cells of the pancreatic islets in response to low levels of glucose in the bloodstream.

Raises blood sugar.

INSULIN

The hormone secreted by the beta cells of the pancreatic islets in response to high levels of glucose in the bloodstream.

Lowers blood sugar.

SOMATOSTATIN

The hormone secreted by delta cells of the pancreas.

Controls growth and proliferation.

ADRENAL GLAND

Known as the suprarenals.

Glands located on top of each kidney.

Cortex and medulla function independently of each other.

GONADS

Gamete-producing glands.

Ovaries in females and testicles in males.

ACROMEGALY

A rare hormonal disorder characterized by abnormal enlargement of the extremities.

Caused by the excessive secretion of growth hormone after puberty.

GIGANTISM

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

HYPOPITUITARISM

A condition in which the pituitary gland does not produce enough growth hormone.

Results in short stature.

DIABETES INSIPIDUS

NOT related to diabetes mellitus [Type I / II Diabetes].

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

Causes an imbalance of fluids in the body, leading to extreme thirst and frequent urination.

HYPOTHYROIDISM

Known as an underactive thyroid.

Caused by a deficiency of thyroid secretion.

HASHIMOTO'S

An autoimmune disease in which the body's own antibodies attack and destroy the cells of the thyroid gland.

Leads to hypothyroidism.

HYPERTHYROIDISM

Known as thyrotoxicosis.

The overproduction of thyroid hormones which results in an imbalance of metabolism.

GRAVES' DISEASE

A disorder of unknown cause in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland and stimulates it to make excessive amounts of thyroid hormone.

Results in hyperthyroidism, goiter and exophthalmos.

GOITER

Known as thyromegaly.

An abnormal, benign enlargement of the thyroid gland.

Produces a swelling in the front of the neck.

EXOPHTHALMOS

An abnormal protrusion of the eyeball out of the orbit.

HYPERCALCEMIA

Abnormally high concentrations of calcium circulating in the blood instead of being stored in the bones and teeth.

Can lead to weakened bones and kidney stones.

HYPOCALCEMIA

Abnormally low levels of calcium in the blood.

HYPERGLYCEMIA

An abnormally high concentration of glucose in the blood.

Seen primarily in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Symptoms include polydipsia, polyphagia, and polyuria.

POLYDIPSIA ; POLYPHAGIA ; POLYURIA

__________ is excessive thirst.

__________ is excessive hunger.

__________ is excessive urination.

DIABETES MELLITUS

The most common endocrine system disease.

A group of metabolic disorders characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in the body's production of insulin.

TYPE I DIABETES MELLITUS

A form of diabetes.

An autoimmune insulin deficiency disorder where the body does not produce insulin.

TYPE II DIABETES MELLITUS

A form of diabetes.

An insulin resistance disorder where insulin is produced, but not used effectively.

GESTATIONAL DIABETES MELLITUS

A form of diabetes mellitus with onset occurring around the 24th week of 2-10% of pregnancies in the United States.

TYPE 1.5 DIABETES MELLITUS

Known as latent autoimmune diabetes.

A condition in which Type I diabetes develops in adults. It shares many of the characteristics of Type II diabetes.

However, autoimmune antibodies are present

DIABETIC COMA

A condition caused by very high blood glucose or very low blood glucose resulting in a stupor or coma.

This causes a person to become unconscious and can be fatal if untreated.

INSULIN SHOCK

Known as severe hypoglycemia, diabetic shock, or insulin reaction.

Caused by very low blood glucose levels.

ADDISON'S DISEASE

Occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough of the hormones cortisol or aldosterone.

A potentially life-threatening condition.

CUSHING'S SYNDROME

Known as hypercortisolism.

Caused by prolonged exposure to high levels of cortisol.

Causes a characteristic rounded, red "moon" face.

RADIOACTIVE IODINE UPTAKE TEST [RAIU]

A test that uses radioactive iodine administered orally to measure thyroid function.

The amount of radioactivity in the thyroid is measured 6 to 24 hours later using a handheld instrument called a gamma probe.

FASTING BLOOD SUGAR TEST [FBS]

Known as a fasting plasma glucose test.

Measures the blood glucose levels after the patient has not eaten for 8 to 12 hours.

Used to screen for diabetes as well as to monitor treatment of this condition.

ORAL GLUCOSE TOLERANCE TEST [OGTT]

Most commonly performed to diagnose Type II or gestational diabetes.

After fasting at least 8 hours, the patient has a baseline blood draw then drinks a liquid containing a high concentration of sugar, and the blood glucose level is tested after 1 hour and again after 2 hours.

HEMOGLOBIN A1c TEST

A blood test that measures the average blood glucose level over the previous 3 to 4 months.

FRUCTOSAMINE TEST

A test that measures average glucose levels over the previous 3 weeks.

Able to detect changes more rapidly than the HbAlc test.

LOBECTOMY

The surgical removal of one lobe of the thyroid gland.

This term is also used to describe the removal of a lobe of the liver, brain, or lung.

PARATHYROIDECTOMY

The surgical removal of one or more of the parathyroid glands.

Performed to control hyperparathyroidism or remove parathyroid tumors.

HYPOPHYSECTOMY

The surgical removal of the pituitary gland, performed to treat cancerous or benign tumors.

Performed through the nose or an opening in the skull.

MYXEDEMA

Known as adult hypothyroidism.

Caused by extreme deficiency of thyroid secretions.