Med Terms - Endocrine System

Adrenal Glands

adren/o

Gonads

gonad/o

Male: Testicles

testic/o

Female: Ovaries

ovari/o

Pancreatic Islets

pancreat/o

Parathyroid Glands

parathyroid/o

Pineal Gland

pineal/o

Pituitary Gland

pituit/o,

pituitar/o

Thymus

thym/o

Thyroid Gland

thyr/o ,

thyroid/o

Homeostasis

the process through which the body maintains a constant internal enviroment

Hormones

chemical messengers that are secreted by endocrine glands directly into the blood stream

Endocrine Glands

hormone producersm do not have ducts

Endo -

within

- Crine

to secrete

Pituitary Gland (hypophysis)

pea-sized gland that is divided into 2 parts, the anterior and posterior lobes. These lobes hang from a stalk-like structure below the hypothalamus in the brain.

The Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)

stimulates the growth and secretions of the adrenal cortex

Cortex

cortic/o

Trop

change

Growth Hormone aka Somatotropic Hormone

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

Body

somat/o

The Lactogenic Hormone aka Prolactin

stimulates and maintains the secretion of breast milk in the mother after childbirth

Milk

lact/o

Producing

gen

The Luteinizing Hormone

stimulates ovulat6ion in the female. In the male, the hormone stimulates the secretion of testosterone

The Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone

increases the production of melanin in melanocytes, thereby causing darkening of skin pigmentation

The Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone

stimulates the secretion of hormones by the thyroid gland

Diuretic

a medication administered to increase the amount of urine secretion

Swift

oxy-

Labor

-tocin

Pitocin

synthetic form of oxytocin that is administered to induce or speed up labor

Pineal Gland aka Pineal Body

a very small endocrine gland located at the central portion of the brain

Melatonin

influences the sleep-wakefulness portions of the circadian cycle.

Circadian Cycle

the biological functions that occur within a 24-hour period

Thyroid Gland

butterfly-shaped gland lying on either side of the larynx, just below the thyroid cartilage

Metabolism

all of the processes involved in the body’s use of nutrients, including the rate at which they are used

Parathyroid Glands

about the size of a grain of rice, which are embedded in the posterior surface of the thyroid gland

Parathyroid Hormone

works with the hormone calcitonin that is secreted by the thyroid gland. Together they regulate the calcium levels in the blood and tissues

Thymus

located near the midline in the anterior portion of the thoracic cavity. It is posterior to the sternum and slightly superior to the heart

Pancreas

feather-shaped organ located posterior to the stomach and functions as both part of the digestive system and endocrine system

Pancreatic Islets

parts of the pancreas that have endocrine functions

Islet

small isolated mass, or island, of one type of tissue within a larger mass of a different type

Glucose

basic form of energy used by the body.

Glucose In The Bloodstream

blood sugar

Gluc/o, Glyc/o

glucose or sugar

Adrenal Glands aka Suprarenals

located at the top of each kidney

Adrenal Cortex

outer portion of the adrenal glands

Adrenal Medulla

middle portion of the adrenal glands

Androgens

sex hormones created by the gonads, adrenal cortex, and fat cells

Aldosterone

a corticosteroid that regulates the sodium and water levels in the body by increasing sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion by the kidneys

Reabsorption

returning a substance to the blood stream

Cortisol aka Hydrocortisone

a corticosteroid that has an anti-inflammatory action. It also helps regulate the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in the body

Epinephrine aka Adrenaline

stimulates the sympathetic nervous system in response to a physical injury or a mental stress such as fear. It makes the heart beat faster and can raise blood pressure. It also helps the liver release glucose and limits the release of insulin

Gonads

gamete-producing glands. These are ovaries in females, and testicles in males

Secondary Sex Characteristics

features that distinguish the 2 sexes but are not directly related to reproduction

Puberty

the process of physical changes by which a child’s body becomes and adult body and is capable of reproducing

Precocious Puberty

early onset of the changes of puberty, usually before age 8 in girls and 9 in boys

Precocious

execptionally early in development or occurance

Estrogen

a hormone secreted by the ovaries that is important for the development and maitence of the female secondary sex characteristics and in regulation of the menstrual cycle

Progesterone

the hormone released during the second half of the menstrual cycle by the corpus luteum in the ovary. Its function is to complete the preparation of the uterus for possible pregnancy

Gamete

a reproductive cell

Gonadotropin

any hormone that stimulates the gonads

Androgens

sex hormones, primarily testosterone, secreted by the gonads, the adrenal cortex, and fat cells. Androgens promote the development and maintenance of the male sex characteristics

Testosterone

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

Anabolic Steroids

man-made substances that are chemically related to male sex hormones. They are used in the treatment of hormone problems in men and to help the body replace muscle mass loss due to disease. Athletes may use these illegally to build muscle mass, a dangerous practice that can lead to lasting damage to the body.

Leptin

a hormone secreted by the fat cells that is involved in the regulation of appetite

Ghrelin

a hormone produced in the gastrointestinal tract (reffered to as the hunger hormone)

Neurohormones

are produced and released by neurons in the brain, rather than by endocrine glands, and delivered to organs and tissues through the bloodstream

Endocrinologist

a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and malfunctions of the endocrine glands

Certified Diabetes Educator

health care professional qualified to teach people with diabetes how to manage their disease

Extremities

acr/o

Acromegaly

rare hormonal disorder characterized by abnormal enlargement of the extremities (hands and feet) caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone after puberty

Gigantism

abnormal growth of entire body caused by excessive growth hormone before puberty

Hyperpituitarism

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

Hypopituitarism

a condition in which the pituitary gland does not produce enough growth hormone

Pituitary Adenoma aka Pituitary Tumor

slow-growing benign tumor of the pituitary gland

Functional Pituitary Tumors

produce hormones in large and unregulated amounts. These hormones might inlcude ACTH, growth hormones, prolactin, or TSH

Galactorrhea

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

On Behalf Of

pro-

Prolactinoma

a benign functional pituitary tumor. This causes the pituitary gland to produce too much of the lactogenic hormone known as prolactin. It can cause infertility in women, erectile dysfunction in men, and can also impair vision

Syndrome Of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone

is caused by the overproduction of the anti-diuretic hormone ADH. This is often as a result of cancer or its treatment. High amounts of ADH keep the kidneys from excreting water, resulting in bloating and water retention that can dilute the blood, causing electrolyte imbalances, particularly hypoatremia

Pinealoma

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

Thyroid Carcinoma

most common type of cancer in the endocrine system

Hypothyroidism aka Underactive Thyroid

caused by a defiency of thyroid secretions. Symptoms include fatigue, depression, sensitivity to cold, and a decreased metabolic rate

Hashimoto’s Disease aka Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

an autoimmune diesase in which the body’s own antibodies attack and destroy the cells of the thyroid gland.

Myxedema aka Adult Hypothyroidism

caused by an extreme deficiency of thyroid secretion. Symptoms may include swelling, particularly around the eyes and cheeks, fatigue, and subnormal temperature

Hyperthyroidism aka Thyrotoxicosis

overproduction of thyroid hormones which causes an inbalance in metabolism. Symptoms may include increased metabolic rate, sweating, nervousness, and weight loss

Goiter aka Thyromegaly

abnormal, benign enlargement of the thyroid gland. This produces a swelling in the front of the neck.

Exophthalmos

abnormal protrusion of the eyeball out of the orbit

Thyroid Nodules

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

Thyroid Storm aka Thyrotoxic Crisis

relatively rare, life-threatening condition caused by exaggerated hyperthyroidism. Patients experiencing a thyroid storm may complain of fever, chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, tremors, increased sweating, disorientation, and fatigue