Human Endocrine System

Vocabulary flashcards for the human endocrine system lecture notes.

Chemical co-ordination

A slow, prolonged process of communicating information throughout the body by way of chemicals called hormones.

Hormone

An organic chemical substance, usually a protein but sometimes a steroid, secreted by an endocrine gland and carried in the bloodstream to its target organ/s where it regulates metabolic reactions.

Target organ

Specific cells that respond to a given hormone, having receptor sites for that hormone.

Endocrine gland

A vascular, ductless gland that secretes hormones which are carried in the bloodstream to their target organs.

Exocrine gland

Glands whose secretions are carried in ducts to where they are needed.

Hypothalamus

Part of the brain situated above the pituitary gland; secretes hormones like ADH.

ADH (Anti-Diuretic Hormone)

Hormone that helps to conserve water by causing more water to be reabsorbed back into the blood from the collecting ducts of the kidney.

Pituitary Gland (Hypophysis)

The 'master gland' that acts as the chemical co-ordinator of most of the other endocrine glands.

Hypersecretion

Over secretion of a hormone.

Hyposecretion

Under secretion of a hormone.

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

Hormone that stimulates the thyroid gland to secrete its hormone, thyroxin.

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

In females, stimulates oogenesis in the ovary; in males, stimulates spermatogenesis in the testes.

Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Stimulates ovulation and the formation of the corpus luteum.

Prolactin

Stimulates the production of milk in the female mammary glands after birth.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)

Stimulates the adrenal cortex to secrete cortisone and aldosterone.

Interstitial Cell Stimulating Hormone (ICSH)

Stimulates the testes to secrete testosterone.

Growth Hormone (GH) / Somatotrophic Hormone (STH)

Promotes skeletal and muscular growth by stimulating the synthesis of proteins.

Gigantism

Overdevelopment of the skeleton in prepubertal children due to hypersecretion of growth hormone.

Pituitary dwarfism

Underdevelopment of the skeleton due to hyposecretion of growth hormone.