CH 9 Key Terms

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering normal endocrine structures, functions, and disorders based on the provided material.

adrenal gland

A gland on the superior surface of the kidney; the outer region (cortex) secretes steroid hormones; the inner region (medulla) secretes epinephrine (adrenaline) in response to stress (root: adren/o)

endocrine

Pertaining to a ductless gland that secretes hormones into the blood

hormone

A secretion of an endocrine gland; a substance that travels in the blood and has a regulatory effect on tissues, organs, or glands

hypophysis

The pituitary gland; named from hypo, meaning "below," and physis, meaning "growing," because the gland develops below the hypothalamus (root: hypophysi/o)

hypothalamus

A portion of the brain that controls the pituitary gland, produces hormones, and is active in maintaining homeostasis

pancreatic islet

Cluster of endocrine cells in the pancreas that secretes hormones to regulate glucose metabolism; also called islet of Langerhans or islet cells (root insul/o means "island")

parathyroid gland

A small endocrine gland on the posterior thyroid that acts to increase blood calcium levels; there are usually four to six parathyroid glands (roots: parathyr/o, parathyroid/o); the name literally means "near the thyroid"

pineal gland

A small gland in the brain; appears to regulate mood, daily rhythms, and sexual development in response to environmental light; secretes the hormone melatonin

pituitary gland

A small endocrine gland at the base of the brain; the anterior lobe secretes growth hormone and hormones that stimulate other glands; the posterior lobe releases ADH and oxytocin manufactured in the hypothalamus (root: pituitar/i); hypophysis

prostaglandins

A group of hormones produced throughout the body that have a variety of effects, including stimulation of uterine contractions and regulation of blood pressure, blood clotting, and inflammation

receptor

A site on the cell membrane or within the cell to which a substance, such as a hormone, attaches

steroid hormone

A hormone made from lipids; includes the sex hormones and the hormones of the adrenal cortex

target tissue

The specific tissue on which a hormone acts; may also be called the target organ

thyroid gland

An endocrine gland on either side of the larynx and upper trachea; it secretes hormones that affect metabolism and growth (roots: thyr/o, thyroid/o)

acromegaly

Overgrowth of bone and soft tissue, especially in the hands, feet, and face, caused by excess growth hormone in an adult; the name comes from acro meaning "extremity" and megal/o meaning "enlargement"

Addison disease

A disease resulting from deficiency of adrenocortical hormones; it is marked by darkening of the skin, weakness, and alterations in salt and water balance

adenoma

A neoplasm of a gland

adult hypothyroidism

A condition caused by hypothyroidism in an adult; there is dry, waxy swelling, most notable in the face; formerly called myxedema (miks-eh-DE-mah)

congenital hypothyroidism

A condition caused by lack of thyroid secretion during development and marked by arrested physical and mental growth; also called infantile hypothyroidism

Cushing disease

Overactivity of the adrenal cortex resulting from excess production of ACTH by the pituitary

Cushing syndrome

A condition resulting from an excess of hormones from the adrenal cortex; it is associated with obesity, weakness, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and hirsutism (excess hair growth)

diabetes insipidus

A disorder caused by insufficient release of ADH from the posterior pituitary; it results in excessive thirst and production of large amounts of very dilute urine; insipidus means "tasteless," referring to the dilution of the urine

diabetes mellitus (DM)

A disorder of glucose metabolism caused by deficiency of insulin production or inadequate tissue response to insulin; type 1 results from autoimmune destruction of pancreatic islet cells; it generally appears in children and requires insulin administration; type 2 generally occurs in obese adults; it is treated with diet, exercise, and drugs to improve insulin production or activity, and sometimes insulin; mellitus comes from the Latin root for honey, referring to the urine's glucose content

exophthalmos

Protrusion of the eyeballs, as seen in Graves disease

gigantism

Overgrowth caused by excess growth hormone from the pituitary during childhood; also called gigantism

glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) test

A test that measures the binding of glucose to hemoglobin during the lifespan of a red blood cell; it reflects the average blood glucose level over 2 to 3 months and is useful in evaluating long-term therapy for diabetes mellitus; also called A1c test

glycosuria

Excess glucose in the urine

goiter

Enlargement of the thyroid gland; a simple (nontoxic) goiter is caused by iodine deficiency

Graves disease

An autoimmune disease resulting in hyperthyroidism; a prominent symptom is exophthalmos (protrusion of the eyeballs); also called diffuse toxic goiter

hyperglycemia

Excess glucose in the blood

hypoglycemia

Abnormally low level of glucose in the blood

insulin shock

A condition resulting from an overdose of insulin, causing hypoglycemia

ketoacidosis

Acidosis (increased acidity of body fluids) caused by excess ketone bodies, as in diabetes mellitus; diabetic acidosis

metabolic syndrome

A state of hyperglycemia caused by cellular resistance to insulin, as seen in type 2 diabetes, in association with other metabolic disorders; also called syndrome X or insulin resistance syndrome

panhypopituitarism

Underactivity of the entire pituitary gland

tetany

Irritability and spasms of muscles; may be caused by low blood calcium and other factors