Ch 16 - Endocrine System

pituitary gland / hypophysis cerebri

approximately the size of a pea and located at the base of the brain. The pituitary is divided into two lobes. It is often referred to as the master gland because it produces hormones that stimulate the function of other endocrine glands

anterior lobe / adenohypophysis

produces and secretes the following hormones

adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

stimulates the adrenal cortex

thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

stimulates the thyroid gland

gonadotropic hormones

stimulate the gonads (the testes in males and ovaries in females). Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are the gonadotropic hormones released from the adenohypophysis.

prolactin (PRL)

promotes development of glandular tissue during pregnancy and produces milk after birth of an infant

posterior lobe / neurohypophysis

stores and releases antidiuretic hormone and oxytocin

antidiuretic hormone (ADH) / vasopressin

stimulates the kidney to reabsorb water and constricts blood vessels to help maintain blood pressure

oxytocin

stimulates uterine contractions during labor and postpartum, and milk let down by the breasts postpartum

hypothalamus

located superior to the pituitary gland in the brain. The hypothalamus secretes “releasing” hormones that function to stimulate or inhibit the release of pituitary gland hormones

thyroid gland

largest endocrine gland. It is located anteriorly in the neck below the larynx and comprises bilateral lobes connected by an isthmus (Fig. 16.3C). The thyroid gland secretes the hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4 ), which require iodine for their production. Thyroxine is necessary for body cell metabolism.

parathyroid glands

four small bodies embedded in the posterior aspect of the lobes of the thyroid gland (Fig. 16.3D). Parathyroid hormone (PTH), the hormone produced by the glands, helps maintain the level of calcium in the blood by its effects on bone and kidneys.

islets of Langerhans

clusters of endocrine tissue found throughout the pancreas, made up of different cell types that secrete various hormones, including insulin and glucagon. Non-endocrine cells found throughout the pancreas produce enzymes that facilitate digestion

adrenal glands

paired glands, one of which is located superior to each kidney. The outer portion is called the adrenal cortex, and the inner portion is called the adrenal medulla. The following hormones are secreted by the adrenal glands

cortisol / hydrocortisone

secreted by the adrenal cortex. It aids the body during stress by increasing glucose levels to provide energy

aldosterone

secreted by the adrenal cortex. Electrolytes (mineral salts) that are necessary for normal body function are regulated by this hormone

epinephrine / norepinephrine / adrenaline / noradrenaline

secreted by the adrenal medulla. These hormones help the body to deal with stress by increasing the blood pressure, heartbeat, and respirations.

hypopituitarism

state of deficient pituitary gland activity

hypothyroidism

state of deficient thyroid gland activity

panhypopituitarism

state of total deficient pituitary gland activity

parathyroidoma

tumor of a parathyroid gland

thyroiditis

inflammation of the thyroid gland

acromegaly

enlargement of the extremities (and face due to increased soft tissue, bone, and cartilage; caused by excessive production of the growth hormone by the pituitary gland after puberty)

adrenalitis

inflammation of the adrenal glands

adrenomegaly

enlargement (of one or both) of the adrenal glands

=

endocrinopathy

(any) disease of the endocrine (system)

hypercalcemia

excessive calcium in the blood

hyperglycemia

excessive sugar in the blood

hyperkalemia

excessive potassium in the blood

hyperparathyroidism

state of excessive parathyroid gland activity (resulting in hypercalcemia and leading to osteoporosis, as well as symptoms of muscle weakness, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness)

hyperpituitarism

state of excessive pituitary gland activity (characterized by excessive secretion of pituitary hormones)

hyperthyroidism

state of excessive thyroid gland activity

(characterized by excessive secretion of thyroid hormones; signs and symptoms include tachycardia, weight loss, irritability, and heat intolerance)

hypocalcemia

deficient calcium in the blood

hypoglycemia

deficient sugar in the blood

hypokalemia

deficient potassium in the blood

hyponatremia

deficient sodium in the blood

-al

pertaining to

-drome

run, running

-ectomy

excision, surgical removal

-emia

in the blood

-ia

diseased or abnormal state

-ism

state of

-itis

inflammation

-logist

one who studies and treats (specialist, physician)

-megaly

enlargement

-oma

tumor or swelling

-pathy

disease

-plasia

condition of formation/development/growth

adren/o / adrenal/o

adrenal glands

cortic/o

cortex (outer layer of body organ)

endocrin/o

endocrine

parathyroid/o

parathyroid glands

pituitar/o

pituitary gland

thyroid/o

thyroid gland

acr/o

extremities, height

calc/i

calcium

dips/o

thirst

glyc/o

sugar

kal/i

potassium

natr/o

sodium

eu-

normal, good

hyper-

above, excessive

hypo

below, incomplete, deficient, under

pan-

all / total

poly-

many, much

syn-

together / joined

Cushing syndrome

group of signs and symptoms attributed to the excessive production of cortisol by the adrenal cortices (pl. of cortex). This syndrome may be the result of a pituitary tumor that produces ACTH or a primary adrenal cortex hypersecretion. Signs include abnormally pigmented skin, “moon face,” pads of fat on the chest and abdomen, “buffalo hump” (fat on the upper back), wasting away of muscle, and hypertension.

diabetes insipidus (DI)

result of decreased secretion of antidiuretic hormone by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland. Symptoms include excessive thirst (polydipsia), large amounts of urine (polyuria), and water being excreted from the body

diabetes mellitus (DM)

chronic disease involving a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism caused by under-activity of the insulin-producing islets of Langerhans and characterized by elevated blood sugar (hyperglycemia). DM can cause chronic renal disease, retinopathy, and neuropathy. In extreme cases the patient may develop ketosis, acidosis, and finally coma

gigantism

condition brought about by hypersecretion of growth hormone by the pituitary gland before puberty

Graves disease

autoimmune disorder of the thyroid gland characterized by the production of more thyroid hormone than the body needs (hyperthyroidism), goiter, and exophthalmos (abnormal protrusion of the eyeballs)

Hashimoto thyroiditis

disease in which thyroid gland cells are destroyed by autoimmune processes. Characterized by hypothyroidism and goiter; more common in females

ketoacidosis

serious condition resulting from uncontrolled diabetes mellitus in which acid ketones accumulate from fat metabolism in the absence of adequate insulin. If not promptly controlled by adequate insulin and hydration, can progress to coma and death.

metabolic syndrome / syndrome X / insulin resistance syndrome

group of signs and symptoms including insulin resistance, obesity characterized by excessive fat around the area of the waist and abdomen, hypertension, hyperglycemia, elevated triglycerides, and low levels of the “good” cholesterol HDL. Risks include development of type 2 diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, or stroke

myxedema

condition resulting from an extreme deficiency of the thyroid hormone thyroxine; a severe form of hypothyroidism in an adult. Signs include puffiness of the face and hands, coarse and thickened skin, enlarged tongue, slow speech, and anemia

neuroblastoma

malignant cancer that often starts in the adrenal medulla, composed of immature nerve cells. Primarily affects children

pheochromocytoma

tumor of the adrenal medulla, which is usually non-malignant and characterized by hypertension, headaches, palpitations, diaphoresis, chest pain, and abdominal pain. Surgical removal of the tumor is the most common treatment. Though usually curable with early detection, it can be fatal if untreated

thyrotoxicosis

condition caused by excessive thyroid hormones

Addison Disease

chronic syndrome resulting from a deficiency in the hormonal secretion of the adrenal cortex. Signs and symptoms may include weakness, weight loss, hypotension, darkening of skin, and loss of appetite

congenital hypothyroidism

condition caused by congenital absence or atrophy (wasting away) of the thyroid gland, resulting in hypothyroidism. The disease is characterized by puffy features, mental deficiency, large tongue, and short stature

adrenalectomy

excision of (one or both) adrenal glands

parathyroidectomy

excision of (one or more) parathyroid glands

thyroidectomy

excision of the thyroid gland

adrenocorticohyperplasia

excessive development of the adrenal cortex (hyper appears as a prefix)

euglycemia

normal (level of) sugar in the blood (within normal range)

DI

diabetes insipidus

DKA

diabetic ketoacidosis

DM

diabetes mellitus

SIADH

syndrome of inappropriate ADH (secretion)

ACTH

adrenocorticotropic hormone

ADH

antidiuretic hormone

FBS

fasting blood sugar

FNA

fine needle aspiration

FSH

follicle-stimulating hormone

GH

growth hormone

HbA1c

glycosylated hemoglobin

T1DM / T1D

type 1 diabetes mellitus

T2DM / T2D

type 2 diabetes mellitus

LH

luteinizing hormone

PRL

prolactin