The Endocrine System

Acromegaly

A form of gigantism caused by excess growth hormone, often due to a pituitary tumor.

Adrenal Cortex

The outer portion of the adrenal gland that produces steroid hormones.

Adrenal Gland

An endocrine gland near the kidneys composed of an outer cortex and inner medulla.

Adrenal Medulla

The inner portion of the adrenal gland that produces epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)

An anterior pituitary hormone that stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce hormones.

Aldosterone

A mineralocorticoid hormone that regulates sodium and water balance.

Alopecia

Loss of hair or fur.

Anabolism

The process of building complex molecules from simpler ones.

Androgen

A male sex hormone produced primarily by the testes.

Anemia

A condition with lower than normal red blood cells or hemoglobin concentration

Anterior Pituitary Gland

The front portion of the pituitary gland that produces multiple hormones.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

A posterior pituitary hormone that promotes water reabsorption by the kidneys.

Atrophy

Decrease in size or wasting of tissue or organs.

Calcitonin

A thyroid hormone that lowers blood calcium levels.

Calorigenic

Heat-producing; related to increased metabolic activity.

Catabolism

The breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones.

Catecholamine

A group of hormones including epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Diabetes Insipidus

A disease caused by ADH deficiency resulting in excessive urination and thirst with dilute urine.

Diabetes Mellitus

A disease caused by insulin deficiency or resistance resulting in high blood glucose.

Endocrine Gland

A ductless gland that secretes hormones directly into the bloodstream.

Epinephrine

A catecholamine hormone that produces fight-or-flight responses.

Estrogen

A female sex hormone involved in reproductive cycles.

Feedback Mechanism

A control system where hormone levels regulate future hormone release.

Glucagon

A hormone that raises blood glucose levels.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of stable internal body conditions.

Hormone

A chemical messenger transported in the bloodstream to target tissues.

Hypoglycemia

Abnormally low blood glucose levels.

Hypothalamus

An area of the diencephalon linking the nervous and endocrine systems.

Insulin

A pancreatic hormone that lowers blood glucose by promoting cellular uptake.

Metabolism

All chemical reactions that occur within the body.

Oxytocin

A hormone that stimulates uterine contractions and milk let-down.

Pancreas

An organ with both endocrine and exocrine functions.

Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)

A hormone that raises blood calcium levels.

Pituitary Gland

A small endocrine gland below the hypothalamus that regulates other glands.

Polydipsia

Excessive thirst.

Polyuria

Excessive urination.

Progesterone

A hormone that prepares and maintains the uterus for pregnancy.

Target

A cell or tissue that a hormone acts upon.

Testosterone

The primary male androgen hormone.

Thyroid Gland

An endocrine gland that produces thyroid hormones.

Thyroid Hormone

Hormones that regulate metabolic rate.