Human Anatomy Chapter 14 Urinary System Vocabulary

Epinephrine

The chief neurohormone of the adrenal medulla that is used as a heart stimulant, a vasoconstrictor (which narrows the blood vessels), and a bronchodilator (which relaxes the bronchial tubes in the lungs)

Hormones

Chemical messengers secreted by the endocrine glands

Insulin

A hormone that promotes glucose uptake in body tissues; hormone secreted by beta cells in the pancreas that lowers blood glucose levels

Adrenal cortex

Outer layer of the adrenal glands, which itself has three layers that secrete steroid hormones

Adrenal medulla

The part of the adrenal glands that functions as a part of the nervous system; it secretes the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine (catecholamines) during the fight-or-flight response

Adrenocorticotropin

Tropic hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary that acts on the adrenal cortex to stimulate release of steroid hormones

Aldosterone

The principal mineralocorticoid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex; stimulates the kidneys to reabsorb sodium and water from urine and to eliminate potassium

Androgens

Male sex hormones

Antidiuretic hormone

A peptide hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that constricts blood vessels, raises blood pressure, and reduces excretion of urine; vasopressin

Calcitonin

Hormone produced and released by the parafollicular cells of the thyroid gland that helps maintain calcium homeostasis

Estrogens

Female sex hormones

Follicle-stimulating hormone

Tropic hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary that stimulates production of estrogen and eggs in women and production of sperm in men

Glucagon

Hormone secreted by alpha cells in the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas; increases blood glucose levels by causing the breakdown of glycogen stored in the liver

Growth hormone

Nontropic hormone produced by the anterior pituitary that is responsible for growth and development of the muscles, cartilage, and long bones of the body

Luteinizing hormone

Tropic hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary that stimulates the ovaries to produce progesterone and estrogen and the release of eggs in women; in men, it stimulates the interstitial cells of the testes to produce testosterone

Melatonin

Hormone produced by the pineal gland that causes sleepiness

Oxytocin

Hormone produced in the hypothalamus and stored in the posterior pituitary; facilitates childbirth and causes the mammary glands to secrete breast milk

Parathyroid hormone

Hormone produced by the parathyroid glands that works with calcitonin to maintain calcium homeostasis

Prolactin

Hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary that stimulates the growth of mammary glands and milk production in women; it is also present in men, but its purpose is unknown

Thymosin

Hormone produced by the thymus that is essential for the development of white blood cells called T lymphocytes, or T cells

Thyroid-stimulating hormone

Tropic hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary that acts on the thyroid gland to stimulate release of two thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T₄) and triiodothyronine (T₃)

Tropic hormones

Pituitary hormones that act on other endocrine glands; tropins

Ketoacidosis

Condition in which the pH of the blood is decreased, making the blood dangerously acidic; results from using fats for fuel, which produces ketone bodies in the blood