Endocrine System and Diabetes Mellitus - Vocabulary Flashcards

55 vocabulary flashcards covering endocrine system concepts and diabetes mellitus terminology.

Endocrine system

A network of glands that secrete hormones regulating metabolism, growth, reproduction, and homeostasis.

Homeostasis

Stable internal environment maintained by hormonal and neural systems.

Negative feedback

A regulatory mechanism where rising hormone levels trigger responses that oppose further release.

Positive feedback

A system where hormone levels continue to rise until interrupted by a terminating mechanism.

Hypothalamus

Brain region that links nervous and endocrine systems by releasing regulatory hormones to the pituitary.

Infundibular stalk

Stalk connecting hypothalamus to pituitary with portal vessels.

Pituitary gland

Master endocrine gland with anterior and posterior lobes that secrete diverse hormones.

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

Hormone that promotes water reabsorption in the kidneys.

Growth hormone (GH)

Hormone that stimulates growth and protein synthesis in bones and tissues.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

Stimulates adrenal cortex to release cortisol.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

Stimulates thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones (T3/T4).

Gonadotropic hormone (FSH, LH)

Stimulates gonadal function and sex hormone production.

Prolactin

Promotes milk production in the mammary glands.

Oxytocin

Stimulates uterine contractions and milk ejection.

Diabetes mellitus

Chronic disease characterized by hyperglycemia due to impaired insulin production or use.

Hyperglycemia

Elevated blood glucose.

Insulin

Hormone that promotes glucose transport into cells and storage as glycogen, fat, and protein; inhibits gluconeogenesis.

Gluconeogenesis

Liver production of glucose from noncarbohydrate sources.

Glycogen

Stored form of glucose in liver and muscle.

Glucagon

Pancreatic hormone that raises blood glucose by stimulating hepatic glucose release.

Counterregulatory hormones

Glucagon, epinephrine, growth hormone, and cortisol that oppose insulin.

Prediabetes

Intermediate state with higher-than-normal glucose and increased diabetes risk.

OGTT (oral glucose tolerance test)

Test measuring plasma glucose after a glucose load to diagnose diabetes/prediabetes.

A1C

Glycosylated hemoglobin reflecting average glucose over ~3 months; diagnostic/monitoring tool.

Fasting plasma glucose (FPG)

Blood glucose after fasting; ≥126 mg/dL suggests diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus

Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β cells causing little/no insulin.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Insulin resistance with impaired secretion and eventual β-cell exhaustion.

Autoimmune β-cell destruction

Immune-mediated loss of insulin-producing β cells.

Insulin resistance

Decreased cellular response to insulin leading to reduced glucose uptake.

β cells

Pancreatic islet cells that produce insulin.

Basal-bolus regimen

Insulin therapy with basal long-acting and bolus rapid/short-acting insulin.

Bolus insulin

Rapid- or short-acting insulin given before meals.

Regular insulin

Short-acting insulin; can be given IV in hospital.

Rapid-acting insulin

Lispro, aspart, or glulisine with rapid onset for meals.

Short-acting insulin

Regular insulin with slower onset; peak 2–5 hours.

Intermediate-acting insulin

NPH insulin with intermediate onset/duration.

Long-acting insulin

Glargine, detemir, or degludec with minimal peak and ~24 h duration.

Inhaled insulin (Afrezza)

Rapid-acting insulin delivered by inhalation at meals.

Insulin pump

Device delivering continuous subcutaneous insulin with basal and bolus dosing.

Hypoglycemia

Abnormally low blood glucose (often <70 mg/dL); requires quick carbohydrate intake.

Somogyi effect

Nocturnal rebound hyperglycemia from excessive insulin and counterregulatory hormones.

Dawn phenomenon

Morning hyperglycemia due to early-morning release of growth hormone and cortisol.

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

Severe insulin deficiency causing hyperglycemia, ketosis, acidosis, and dehydration.

Ketosis

Elevated ketone bodies from fat metabolism.

Osmotic diuresis

Excess urination due to high glucose causing dehydration.

Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State (HHS)

Life-threatening DM complication with very high glucose and dehydration, usually no ketosis.

Foot care

Daily inspection, proper footwear, nail care to prevent ulcers in diabetes.

Microvascular angiopathy

Small vessel disease affecting eyes, kidneys, and nerves in diabetes.

Nephropathy

Diabetic kidney disease due to microvascular damage.

Retinopathy

Diabetic eye disease leading to vision impairment.

Gastroparesis

Delayed gastric emptying from autonomic neuropathy in diabetes.

Peripheral neuropathy

Nerve damage in distal extremities causing numbness/paresthesias.

ADA nutrition guidelines

Dietary guidelines from the American Diabetes Association for individualized nutrition therapy.

Carbohydrate counting

Tracking grams of carbohydrates per meal to adjust insulin dosing.

MyPlate guidelines

USDA plate method: 9-inch plate with half nonstarchy vegetables, quarter starch, quarter protein, plus dairy and fruit.