The Endocrine System

acr/o

extremities, height, or pointed (starts with ac-)

aden/o

gland (starts with ad-)

adren/o

adrenal glands (starts with adr-)

adrenal/o

adrenal glands (starts with adre-)

cortic/o

cortex or outer region of an organ (starts with co-)

crin/o

to secrete or separate (starts with cr-)

dips/o

thirst (starts with di-)

gluc/o

glucose or sugar (starts with gl-)

glucos/o

glucose or sugar (starts with glu-)

glyc/o

glucose or sugar (starts with gly-)

glycos/o

glucose or sugar (starts with glyc-)

gonad/o

gonads or sex glands (starts with go-)

hypophys/o

pituitary gland (starts with hy-)

insulin/o

insulin (starts with in-)

kal/i

potassium (starts with ka-)

natr/o

sodium (starts with na-)

pancreat/o

pancreas (starts with pa-)

parathyroid/o

parathyroid glands (starts with par-)

pituitar/o

pituitary gland (starts with pi-)

somat/o

body (starts with so-)

thym/o

thymus gland (starts with th-)

thyr/o

thyroid gland (starts with thy-)

thyroid/o

thyroid gland (starts with thyr-)

toxic/o

poison or toxin (starts with to-)

-crine

to secrete (suffix starting with -c)

-drome

to run or running together (suffix starting with -d)

-emia

blood or blood condition (suffix starting with -e)

Hormones

Chemical messengers secreted by endocrine glands directly into the bloodstream to target tissues or organs

Endocrine glands

Ductless glands that secrete hormones directly into the surrounding tissue fluid or bloodstream

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a constant, stable internal environment within the body

Pituitary gland

The bean-sized master gland located at the base of the brain that secretes hormones controlling other endocrine glands

Pineal gland

A small gland located central to the brain that secretes melatonin to regulate sleep-wake cycles

Thyroid gland

A butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck that secretes T3 and T4 to regulate metabolism

Parathyroid glands

Four tiny round structures on the posterior surface of the thyroid that regulate blood calcium levels

Thymus

A gland located posterior to the sternum that secretes thymosin to stimulate T-lymphocyte development

Adrenal glands

Triangular glands located on top of each kidney composed of a cortex and medulla to regulate stress responses and electrolytes

Pancreas

A long slender organ posterior to the stomach containing islets of Langerhans that secrete insulin and glucagon

Acromegaly

Abnormal enlargement of the extremities and face bones caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone after puberty

Gigantism

Abnormal overgrowth of the entire body caused by hypersecretion of growth hormone before puberty

Diabetes insipidus

A metabolic disorder caused by an antidiuretic hormone deficiency, leading to extreme thirst and polyuria

Goiter

An abnormal, nonmalignant enlargement or swelling of the thyroid gland

Graves' disease

An autoimmune disorder characterized by hyperthyroidism, goiter, and exophthalmos

Hashimoto's thyroiditis

An autoimmune disease causing progressive chronic inflammation and destruction of the thyroid gland

Myxedema

An extreme, advanced condition of hypothyroidism in adults marked by swelling, fatigue, and a slowed metabolism

Hyperparathyroidism

The overproduction of parathyroid hormone leading to hypercalcemia and bone weakening

Hypoparathyroidism

Deficient parathyroid hormone secretion leading to hypocalcemia and muscle tetany

Cushing's syndrome

A metabolic disorder caused by prolonged exposure to high levels of the hormone cortisol

Addison's disease

A life-threatening disease caused by hyposecretion of corticosteroids by the adrenal cortex

Diabetes mellitus

A chronic metabolic disease marked by hyperglycemia due to insulin deficiency or insulin resistance

Hyperglycemia

An abnormally high concentration of glucose or sugar in the blood

Hypoglycemia

An abnormally low concentration of glucose or sugar in the blood

Polydipsia

The clinical term for excessive, persistent thirst

Polyuria

The clinical term for excessive or abnormally large amounts of urine production

Polyphagia

The clinical term for excessive, uncontrollable hunger or eating

Thyroidectomy

The surgical removal or excision of the thyroid gland

Adrenalectomy

The surgical removal or excision of one or both adrenal glands

Pancreatectomy

The surgical removal or excision of all or part of the pancreas

Parathyroidectomy

The surgical removal or excision of one or more parathyroid glands