Endocrine System

Adrenal glands

Regulate electrolyte levels, influence metabolism, and respond to stress

Gonads

Gamete-producing glands

Testicles

Sperm-producing glands in males

Ovaries

Egg-producing glands in females

Pancreas

Controls blood sugar levels and glucose metabolism

Parathyroid glands

Regulate calcium levels throughout the body

Pineal gland

Influences sleep-wakefulness cycle

Pituitary gland

Secretes hormones that control the activity of other endocrine glands

Thymus

Plays a major role in immune reaction

Thyroid gland

Stimulates metabolism, growth, and the activity of the nervous system

Extremities

Acr/o

Secrete

Crin/o

Thirst

-dipsia

Glucose/sugar

Glyc/o

Body

Somat/o

Acromegaly

A rare hormonal disorder characterized by abnormal enlargements of the extremities caused by the excessive secretion of growth hormone after puberty

Addison’s disease

A disease that occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough of the hormones cortisol or aldosterone

Adrenalitis

Inflammation of one or both adrenal glands

Aldosteronism

An abnormality of the electrolyte balance that is caused by the excessive secretion of aldosterone

Antidiuretic hormone

ADH

Antidiuretic hormone

Hormone secreted by the hypothalamus and stored in the pituitary gland that helps control blood pressure by reducing the amount of water that is excreted through the kidneys

Calcitonin

Hormone produced by the thyroid gland that works with the parathyroid hormone to decrease calcium levels in the blood and tissues by moving calcium into the bones and teeth

Corticosteroids

The steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex (aldosterone and cortisol)

Cortisol

A corticosteroid with anti-inflammatory action

Cretinism

A congenital form of hypothyroidism that can cause developmental delays such as intellectual disability, short stature, and delayed motor function

Cushing’s syndrome

Hypercortisolism that can cause weight gain in the face and midsection, thinning skin, muscle weakness, high blood pressure, and diabetes

Diabetes insipidus

DI

Diabetes insipidus

• An uncommon disorder caused by an insufficient production of antidiuretic hormone or the inability of the kidneys to respond appropriately to it

• Can cause excessive thirst and frequent urination

Diabetes mellitus

DM

Diabetes mellitus

The most common endocrine system disease characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in the body’s production of insulin (1) or the body’s inability to use it properly (2)

Diabetic ketoacidosis

DKA

Diabetic ketoacidosis

A life-threatening diabetes complication caused by a buildup of ketones in the blood

Diabetic retinopathy

Occurs when diabetes damages the tiny blood vessels in the retina

Electrolytes

Mineral substances—calcium, chloride, magnesium, phosphorous, sodium, and potassium—that are normally found in the blood and other bodily fluids

Epinepherine

Hormone released by the adrenal medulla that stimulates the sympathetic nervous system in response to physical injury or to mental stress such as fear

Estrogen

E

Estrogen

A hormone secreted by the ovaries that is important for the development and maintenance of female secondary sex characteristics and regulation of the menstrual cycle

Exophthalmos

An abnormal protrusion of the eyeball out of the orbit, a symptom of hyperthyroidism

Follicle-stimulating hormone

FSH

Follicle-stimulating hormone

Stimulates the secretion of estrogen and the growth of ova in the ovaries of females and the production of sperm in the testicles of males

Fructosamine test

• Measures average glucose levels over the previous three weeks

• Detects more rapid changes than A1C

Gestational diabetes mellitus

GDM

Gestational diabetes mellitus

A form of diabetes mellitus with onset occurring around the 24th week of pregnancy

Gigantism

The abnormal growth of the entire body that is caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone before puberty

Glucagon

GCG

Glucagon

The hormone secreted by the alpha cells of the pancreatic islet in response to low blood glucose

Grave’s disease

GD

Grave’s disease

A disorder of unknown cause in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland and stimulates it to make excessive amounts of thyroid hormone

Growth hormone

GH

Growth hormone

Hormone that regulates the growth of bone, muscle, and other body tissues

Gynecomastia

The condition of excessive mammary development in males

Hashimoto’s disease

An autoimmune disease in which the body’s own antibodies attack and destroy cells of the thyroid gland

Hypercalcemia

• An abnormally high level of calcium circulating in the blood instead of being stored in the bones and teeth

• Can be caused by high levels of parathyroid hormone

Hyperglycemia

Abnormally high concentration of glucose in the bloodstream

Hyperinsulinism

Excessive secretion of insulin into the bloodstream

Hyperpituitarism

The excess secretion of growth hormone that causes both acromegaly and gigantism

Hyperthyroidism

Overproduction of thyroid hormones

Hypoglycemia

Abnormally low concentration of glucose in the blood

Hypothyroidism

Deficiency of thyroid secretion

Insulin

Hormone released by the beta cells of the pancreas islets in response to high levels of glucose in the bloodstream

Insulinoma

A benign tumor of the pancreas that secretes additional insulin, causing hypoglycemia

Ketosis

A normal metabolic process that helps the body utilize stored fat when other sources of energy are lacking

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy

A minimally invasive surgery to remove one or both adrenal glands

Leptin

A hormone secreted by fat cells that is involved in the regulation of appetite, letting the body know you are satiated

Luteinizing hormone

LH

Luteinizing hormone

Stimulates ovulation in females and the secretion of testosterone in males

Myxedema

• Disease resulting from long-term extreme hypothyroidism in adults

• Causes increased mucus in the skin and other tissues

Norepinepherine

• A hormone (released by the adrenal medulla) and neurotransmitter that is involved in arousal and alertness

• Increases heart rate, blood flow to muscles, and release of glucose into the bloodstream from stored energy sources

Oxytocin

OXT

Oxytocin

Hormone that stimulates uterine contractions during childbirth and plays a role in social connection and affection

Pancreatitis

Inflammation of the pancreas

Parathyroidectomy

Surgical removal of the parathyroid gland(s) to control hyperparathyroidism or remove parathyroid tumors

Pituitary adenoma

A slow-growing benign tumor on the pituitary gland

Polydipsia

Excessive thirst

Polyphagia

Excessive hunger

Polyuria

Excessive urination

Prediabetes

A condition in which the blood glucose is higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes

Progesterone

The hormone released during the second half of the menstrual cycle by the corpus luteum in the ovary in order to prepare the uterus for possible pregnancy

Prolactinoma

A benign functional pituitary tumor that causes the pituitary gland to produce too much of the lactogenic hormone known as prolactin

Radioactive iodine treatment

RAI

Radioactive iodine treatment

The oral administration of radioactive iodine to destroy thyroid cells

Steroids

A large class of hormones derived from cholesterol

Testosterone

A steroid hormone secreted by the testicles and the adrenal cortex to stimulate the development of male secondary sex characteristics

Thymectomy

The surgical removal of the thymus gland

Thymosin

Protein that plays an important part in the immune system by stimulating the maturation of lymphocytes into T cells

Thyroxine

One of the two primary thyroid hormones that regulate rate of growth and metabolism

Gamete

Reproductive cell (sperm/egg)

Androgens

Hormones (primarily testosterone) that promote the development and maintenance of male secondary sex characteristics

Ghrelin

Hormone produced in the GI tract that indicates hunger

Hypopituitarism

A condition in which the pituitary gland does not produce enough growth hormone, resulting in short stature

Galactorrhea

A condition in which an excess of prolactin causes the breasts to produce milk spontaneously, not due to childbirth

Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone

SIADH

Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone

• Overproduction of antidiuretic hormone, often a result of cancer or its treatment

• Can lead to bloating and water retention that dilutes the blood, causing electrolyte imbalances

Pinealoma

A tumor of the pineal gland that can disrupt the production of melatonin

Thyroid carcinoma

The most common cancer of the endocrine system, with a high survival rate

Goiter

A benign enlargement of the thyroid gland, producing swelling in the front of the neck

Thyroid nodules

Usually benign lumps in the thyroid that can grow large enough to cause goiter

Thyroid storm

• A relatively rare, life-threatening condition caused by exaggerated hyperthyroidism

• Symptoms can include fever, chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, tremors, increased sweating, disorientation, and fatigue

Hyperparathyroidism

Overproduction of the parathyroid hormone, causing hypercalcemia

Hypoparathyroidism

Insufficient secretion of the parathyroid hormone, causing hypocalcemia