Endocrine System

adrenal glands (suprarenal glands)

triangular-shaped glands located above each kidney that secrete hormones that aid in metabolism, electrolyte balance, and stress reactions; each gland consists of an outer part called the adrenal cortex, and an inner part called the adrenal medulla

hypothalamus

part of the brain located near the pituitary gland that secretes releasing hormones that control the release of other hormones by the pituitary gland

islets of Langerhans

endocrine cells inside the pancreas that secrete hormones (glucagon and insulin) that aid carbohydrate (sugar) metabolism

ovaries

paired female reproductive organs that produce hormones and release oocytes (egg cells)

parathyroid glands

four small glands embedded on the posterior surface of the thyroid gland that regulate calcium and phosphorus levels in the bloodstream

pineal gland (pineal body)

small, cone-shaped gland located in the brain that secretes melatonin, which affects sleep-wake cycles and reproduction

pituitary gland

pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain that secretes hormones that stimulate the function of other endocrine glands; also known as the "master gland"; divided into anterior and posterior lobes

testes (testicles)

male reproductive glands, located in the scrotum, that produce sperm and testosterone

thymus gland

gland in the mediastinum (membranous partition in the thoracic cavity) that secretes thymosin, a hormone that regulates the immune system

thyroid gland

bilobed gland located in the neck that secretes thyroid hormone that is needed for cell growth and metabolism; the largest endocrine gland; has two lobes connected by a tissue called the isthmus

adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

targets the adrenal cortex; stimulates secretion of corticosteroids

follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

targets the ovaries and testes; stimulates secretion of estrogen in females and testosterone in males

Growth hormone (GH)

targets bones and other tissues; stimulates protein synthesis and body growth

luteinizing hormone (LH)

targets the ovaries and testes; stimulates secretion of progesterone in females and testosterone in males

prolactin

targets breast tissue; stimulates milk production

thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

targets the thyroid gland; stimulates the production of thyroid hormones for regulating metabolism

antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

targets the kidneys; stimulates water reabsorption by the kidneys

oxytocin (OXT)

targets the uterus and breast; stimulates uterine contractions and milk ejection from breasts

Melatonin

affects sleep-wake cycles and reporoduction

thyroxine (T4)

hormone that regulates metabolism by increasing metabolic rate

triiodothyronine (T3)

hormone that regulates metabolism; similar to thyroxine but has greater potency

parathyroid hormone (PTH)

regulates calcium and phosphorus levels in blood and bones

glucagon

secreted by alpha cells; regulates blood glucose levels; increases blood glucose by promoting breakdown of glycogen (stored sugar) to glucose

Insulin

secreted by beta cells; regulates blood glucose levels; decreases blood glucose by promoting glucose use by cells

thymosin

regulates immune responses

aldosterone

regulates electrolytes (sodium and potassium)

cortisol

aids in metabolism and also aids the body during stress

epinephrine (adrenaline)

aids body during stress, increases heart rate and blood pressure, and cuases relaxation of bronchial airways

norepinephrine (noradrenaline)

aids body during stress and increases blood pressure

estrogen

affects the development of female sexual organs and secondary sexual characteristics; regulates menstrual cycle and pregnancy

progesterone

stimulates uterus in preparation for and maintenance of pregnancy

testosterone

affects developments of sexual organs in males and secondary sexual characteristics

acr/o

extremity, tip

aden/o

gland

adren/o

adrenal glands

adrenal/o

adrenal glands

calc/i

calcium

cortic/o

cortex

crin/o

to secrete

dips/o

thirst

endocrin/o

endocrine

gluc/o, glucos/o

glucose, sugar

glyc/o, glycos/o

glucose, sugar

hormon/o

hormone

kal/i

potassium

natr/i

sodium

pancreat/o

pancreas

parathyroid/o

parathyroid glands

thym/o

thymus gland

thyr/o, thyroid/o

thyroid gland

eu-

good, normal

hyper-

above, excessive

hypo-

below, deficient

poly-

many, much

-al, -ic

pertaining to

-emia

blood

-ism

condition of

-megaly

enlargement

-oid

resembling

-osis

abnormal condition

-penia

deficiency

-uria

urine, urination

cortical

pertaining to the cortex

endogenous

produced inside the body

euthyroid

normal thyroid

exogenous

produced outside of the body

metabolism

all physical and chemical changes that occur in tissues

pancreatic

pertaining to the pancreas

postprandial

after a meal

thymic

pertaining to the thymus gland

acidemia

abnormally low blood pH

acidosis

pathologic state characterized by an excessively acidic condition of the body fluids or tissues

acromegaly

disorder caused by excessive growth hormone secretion in adulthood causing thick bones in the extremities, especially the hands and feet

addison disease

disorder in which the adrenal glands do not produce sufficient cortisol, characterized by skin darkening, weakness, and loss of appetite

adenitis

inflammation of a lymph node or gland

adenomegaly

enlargement of a gland

adrenalitis

inflammation of an adrenal gland

adrenomegaly

enlargement of an adrenal gland

adrenalopathy

disease of the adrenal gland

alkalemia

abnormally high blood pH

autoimmune disease

disorder in which normal tissue is destroyed by the body's own immune system response

calcipenia

deficiency of calcium in tissues and body fluids

congenital hypothyroidism

condition that is present at birth and is caused by thyroid hormone deficiency due to absence or atrophy of the thyroid gland; leads to mental deficiency and dwarfism (formerly known as cretinism)

cushing syndrome

disease caused by excessive cortisol production by the adrenal glands; characterized by fat pads in the chest and abdomen and a "moon face" appearance

diabetes insipidus (DI)

disorder caused by deficiency of antidiuretic hormone production by the pituitary gland resulting in excessive urination and excessive thirst

diabetes mellitus

disorder caused by deficiency of insulin and/or insulin resistance causing poor carbohydrate metabolism and high blood glucose levels

Type 1 diabetes mellitus

diabetes caused by a total lack of insulin production; usually develops in childhood; patients require insulin replacement therapy to control the disorder

Type 2 diabetes mellitus

diabetes caused by either a lack of insulin or the body's inability to use insulin efficiently; usually develops in middle-aged or older adults, and patients usually do not require insulin replacement therapy to control the disorder

diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

excessive ketones (compounds produced during fat metabolism) in blood due to breakdown of stored fats for energy; a complication of diabetes mellitus; if left untreated, can lead to coma and death

endocrinopathy

disease of an endocrine gland

exophthalmos

protruding or bulging of eyes from their socket

gigantism (giantism)

disorder caused by excessive growth hormone secretion before puberty; characterized by abnormally long bones

glucosuria (glycosuria)

glucose (sugar) in the urine

goiter

enlargement of the thyroid gland

graves disease

condition of excessive secretion of thyroid hormone, causing goiter and exophthalmos

hashimoto thyroiditis (hashimoto disease)

autoimmune disease causing chronic thyroiditis

hirsutism

excessive hair growth or hair growth in unusual places, especially in women

hypercalcemia

high levels of calcium in the blood

hyperglycemia

high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood

hyperkalemia

high levels of potassium in the blood