Endocrine Disorders & Key Hormones

Vocabulary flashcards covering major endocrine disorders, their signs, and related hormones.

Gigantism

Excess human growth hormone (hGH) during childhood leading to abnormal overall growth.

Acromegaly

Excess human growth hormone (hGH) during adulthood causing enlargement of hands, feet, and facial bones.

Dwarfism

Deficiency of human growth hormone (hGH) during development resulting in short stature.

Goiter

Enlarged thyroid gland due to iodine deficiency or excess thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).

Cushing's Syndrome

Endocrine disorder caused by excess cortisol, often from adrenal tumors or prolonged steroid therapy.

Signs of Cushing's Syndrome

Moon face, buffalo hump, high blood sugar, and central (belly) weight gain.

Addison's Disease

Condition caused by insufficient cortisol and aldosterone secretion from the adrenal cortex.

Signs of Addison's Disease

Weakness, fatigue, low blood pressure, weight loss, and bronze skin pigmentation.

Diabetes Insipidus

Disorder characterized by low antidiuretic hormone (ADH) leading to excessive urination and intense thirst.

Human Growth Hormone (hGH)

Anterior pituitary hormone that stimulates growth; excess causes gigantism/acromegaly, deficiency causes dwarfism.

Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

Pituitary hormone that stimulates thyroid activity; excessive levels can contribute to goiter formation.

Cortisol

Glucocorticoid produced by the adrenal cortex; excess leads to Cushing's syndrome, deficiency to Addison's disease.

Aldosterone

Mineralocorticoid from the adrenal cortex that regulates sodium and water balance; deficient in Addison's disease.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

Posterior pituitary hormone that conserves body water; low levels cause diabetes insipidus.