Endocrine and Metabolic Conditions Review

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering basic endocrine physiology, hypothalamic-pituitary control, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal disorders, and adipose tissue function.

Endocrine System Glands

A body system composed of glands located throughout the body that synthesize and release chemical messengers called hormones directly into the bloodstream.

Hypothalamic-Pituitary Interface

The junction where the endocrine system meets the nervous system, allowing the hypothalamus to integrate autonomic nervous system functions and control endocrine organs via neural and hormonal pathways.

Positive Feedback System

A regulatory mechanism in which the physiological response amplifies or increases the original hormonal stimulus, such as oxytocin causing uterine contractions during childbirth.

Negative Feedback System

A regulatory mechanism in which the physiological response counteracts or reduces the original stimulus to maintain metabolic stability, such as elevated thyroid hormones inhibiting further TSH secretion.

Oxytocin

A hormone synthesized in the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary that stimulates uterine contractions, mediates the milk letdown reflex, and fosters mother-baby bonding.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

Also known as vasopressin (AVP), a posterior pituitary hormone that regulates body fluid concentration by altering kidney distal tubule and collecting duct permeability to conserve water.

Prolactin

An anterior pituitary hormone responsible for stimulating milk production in women.

Human Growth Hormone (HGH)

An anterior pituitary hormone that stimulates somatic growth by enhancing protein synthesis, promoting fat mobilization, and reducing carbohydrate utilization.

Thyroxine ($T_4$) and Triiodothyronine ($T_3$)

Hormones secreted by the thyroid gland that act on body tissues to regulate basal metabolic rate, increase metabolic activity, and promote protein synthesis.

Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)

A hormone produced by the parathyroid glands that regulates calcium and phosphate metabolism by increasing serum calcium levels and stimulating renal phosphate excretion.

Glucagon

A pancreatic hormone produced by alpha cells during the fasting state that raises blood glucose levels by releasing stored glucose.

Insulin

A pancreatic hormone secreted by beta cells during the nourished state that facilitates cellular glucose uptake, promotes glycogen storage, and stimulates protein synthesis.

Aldosterone

A mineralocorticoid synthesized by the adrenal cortex that regulates renal sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion to control blood pressure.

Ectopic Hormone Production

The abnormal synthesis and secretion of hormones or hormone-like substances from tissue outside the standard endocrine gland, such as metastatic tumor sites.

Catecholamines

Organic compounds (epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine) secreted by the adrenal medulla during stress that increase heart rate, elevate blood pressure, and raise blood glucose levels.

Cortisol

The primary glucocorticoid from the adrenal cortex that increases blood glucose, regulates nutrient metabolism, and dampens the body's inflammatory response.

Endorphins

Opiate-like structures produced naturally in the central nervous system that modulate pain perception by elevating the pain threshold and producing sedation or euphoria.

Gigantism

A disorder caused by hypersecretion of growth hormone in children prior to epiphyseal plate closure, leading to overgrowth of the long bones.

Acromegaly

A chronic adult condition caused by GH-secreting adenomas after epiphyseal closure, characterized by soft tissue hypertrophy and bone thickening in the face, head, hands, and feet.

Panhypopituitarism

A generalized deficiency resulting from partial or total failure of all six anterior pituitary vital hormones.

Pituitary Dwarfism

A condition characterized by delayed growth and proportionate short stature in children resulting from growth hormone deficiency.

Diabetes Insipidus

A posterior pituitary disorder marked by ADH deficiency, causing impaired renal water reabsorption, severe polyuria, polydipsia, and dilute urine free of glucose.

Syndrome of Inappropriate ADH Secretion (SIADH)

A condition characterized by excessive release of ADH, leading to fluid retention, water imbalance, and severe hyponatremia.

Graves' Disease

An autoimmune cause of hyperthyroidism marked by diffuse metabolic elevation, goiter, heat intolerance, weight loss, and exophthalmos.

Exophthalmos

An abnormal forward protrusion of the eyeballs caused by fluid accumulation in the retrobulbar fat pads and extraocular muscles, commonly associated with thyroid disease.

Myxedema

A tissue change occurring in advanced hypothyroidism marked by connective tissue thickening and firm, nonpitting swelling around the eyes, hands, and feet.

Goiter

An enlargement of the thyroid gland resulting from dietary iodine deficiency, inflammatory processes, or glandular tumors.

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

A chronic autoimmune thyroiditis that causes destruction of the thyroid gland, serving as a primary cause of hypothyroidism in women.

Hyperparathyroidism

Overactivity of one or more parathyroid glands that leads to elevated PTH levels, excessive bone resorption, hypercalcemia, and renal damage.

Hypoparathyroidism

Inadequate PTH secretion causing depressed serum calcium levels, elevated serum phosphate levels, and neuromuscular irritability.

Tetany

A state of severe neuromuscular excitability characterized by involuntary muscle spasms, twitches, and cramps resulting from hypocalcemia.

Addison's Disease

Primary adrenal insufficiency characterized by deficient release of cortisol and aldosterone, causing weakness, hypoglycemia, hypotension, and bronzed skin hyperpigmentation.

Cushing's Syndrome

A metabolic condition caused by hyperfunction of the adrenal cortex or exogenous glucocorticoids, resulting in hyperglycemia, muscle wasting, purple striae, and moon face.

Cushing's Disease

A specific form of hypercortisolism caused by ACTH oversecretion from a pituitary adenoma.

Conn's Syndrome

Primary aldosteronism caused by an aldosterone-secreting tumor (aldosteronoma), leading to hypernatremia, hypervolemia, hypokalemia, and severe hypertension.

Brown Fat

Specialized adipose tissue predominant in infants that functions primarily in thermoregulation by converting food energy directly into heat.

White Fat

Classic adipose tissue responsible for storing triacylglycerols as an energy reservoir and acting as an endocrine tissue that releases adipokines.

Leptin

An adipokine secreted by adipose cells that acts on the hypothalamus to reduce appetite and signal satiety.

Adiponectin

An adipokine released by visceral white fat that increases insulin sensitivity and exerts protective anti-inflammatory effects.

Abdominal Adipose Tissue Distribution

The accumulation of fat in subcutaneous, intraabdominal (visceral), or intrahepatic compartments, where central visceral fat strongly correlates with insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease.