Endocrine Refresh VOCABULARY Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key endocrine terms, hormones, and disorders from the lecture notes.

Endocrine system

The body system of glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream to regulate metabolism, growth, and homeostasis.

Parathyroid gland

Glands on the back of the thyroid that secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH), increasing serum calcium and phosphate levels.

Adrenal gland

Gland atop each kidney that produces corticosteroids (glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids) and catecholamines.

Kidney

Organ that regulates fluid balance and participates in endocrine regulation, with ADH acting on renal tubules.

Stomach

Organ affected by amylin’s actions, including slowed gastric motility, contributing to satiety.

Thyroid gland

Gland in the neck that secretes T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine) to regulate metabolism and calcitonin.

Skin

Organ where melanocyte-stimulating hormone increases melanin production, darkening skin.

Hypothalamus

Brain region that links the nervous and endocrine systems and regulates pituitary hormone release.

Testicle

Male gonad that produces testosterone and supports spermatogenesis.

Liver

Metabolic organ involved in gluconeogenesis, glycogen storage, and response to insulin and glucagon.

Pineal gland

Gland that secretes melatonin, regulating sleep-wake cycles.

Pituitary gland

Master gland; divides into anterior and posterior lobes and secretes multiple hormones.

Thymus

Gland involved in immune development (thymosin) and may have endocrine functions.

Uterus

Female reproductive organ; estrogen and progesterone regulate lining and pregnancy.

Ovary

Female gonad producing estrogen and progesterone; supports oogenesis and follicle development.

Pancreas

Gland with endocrine (insulin, glucagon, amylin, somatostatin) and exocrine roles; regulates blood glucose.

Hormone

Chemical messenger released by glands that travels in the bloodstream to create a specific effect on a target tissue.

Anterior pituitary gland

Lobe that secretes ACTH, FSH, LH, GH, MSH, and TSH.

Posterior pituitary gland

Lobe that stores and releases ADH and oxytocin synthesized in the hypothalamus.

ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic hormone)

Stimulates the adrenal cortex to secrete corticosteroids (especially cortisol).

FSH (Follicle-stimulating hormone)

Stimulates ovarian follicle development and spermatogenesis.

LH (Luteinizing hormone)

Triggers ovulation and stimulates testosterone production.

GH (Growth hormone)

Promotes growth and tissue repair and modulates metabolism.

MSH (Melanocyte-stimulating hormone)

Increases melanin production in melanocytes, influencing skin pigmentation.

TSH (Thyroid-stimulating hormone)

Stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones (T3/T4).

ADH (Antidiuretic hormone)

Promotes water reabsorption in renal tubules; can cause vasoconstriction at high levels.

Oxytocin

Hormone causing uterine contractions and milk ejection during lactation.

Renal tubules

Site of ADH action where water reabsorption occurs to concentrate urine.

Growth of adrenal cortex

Increase in adrenal cortex size stimulated by ACTH.

Vasoconstriction

Narrowing of blood vessels; can be caused by ADH at high concentrations, elevating blood pressure.

Calcitonin

Thyroid hormone that lowers serum calcium by inhibiting bone resorption.

Thyroxine (T4)

Major thyroid hormone; prohormone converted to T3; regulates metabolic rate.

Triiodothyronine (T3)

Active thyroid hormone regulating metabolism; more potent than T4.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH)

Raises serum calcium by bone resorption, intestinal absorption, and renal reabsorption.

Bone

Tissue affected by PTH; calcium release and bone remodeling.

Intestines

Site of calcium absorption influenced by PTH and vitamin D activity.

Kidneys (calcium regulation)

Kidneys reabsorb calcium under PTH influence and excrete phosphate.

Estrogen

Female sex hormone; promotes secondary sex characteristics, prepares and maintains the uterine lining.

Progesterone

Hormone that prepares the uterus for implantation and maintains the uterine lining during pregnancy.

Testosterone

Male sex hormone; stimulates secondary sex characteristics and spermatogenesis.

Graves' disease

Autoimmune hyperthyroidism with symptoms such as exophthalmos, goiter, sweating, and weight loss.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis

Autoimmune thyroiditis causing hypothyroidism with thyroid enlargement.

Hyperthyroidism

Overactive thyroid causing tachycardia, weight loss, warmth, and hyperreflexia.

Hypothyroidism

Underactive thyroid causing fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, and constipation.

Cushing's disease

Excess cortisol due to ACTH overproduction; causes moon face, central obesity, hypertension.

Addison's disease

Adrenal insufficiency with hypotension, fatigue, weight loss, and hyperkalemia.

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

Severe insulin deficiency leading to hyperglycemia, metabolic acidosis, ketonuria, dehydration.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus

Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells; insulin-dependent; usually in youth.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Insulin resistance with relative insulin deficiency; may require oral agents or insulin.

Gestational diabetes

Glucose intolerance first recognized during pregnancy; usually resolves after birth but increases future diabetes risk.