Purdue HSCI 131 Medical Terminology Chapter 14 Endocrine System

hormones

specialized chemicals that directly enter the blood stream and travel to a specific tissues or organs of the body

targets

any organ, tissue, or cell that changes its level of activity in response to a message from a hormone

antagonistic

acting in opposition; mutually opposing

electrolytes

salts and minerals that conduct electrical impulses in the body

glucagon

Hormone produced by pancreatic alpha cells that stimulates the liver to change to stored glycogen (a starch form of sugar) to glucose

glucose

simple sugar that is the end product of carbohydrate digestion

sympathomimetic

Agent that mimics the effects of the sympathetic nervous system, the division of the nervous system that increases the "flight or flight" response

pituitary gland

endocrine gland located posterior to the nose, known as the "master gland" since it regulates many hormones and functions

hypophysis

technical term for pituitary gland

adenohypophysis

anterior lobe of the pituitary gland, triggered by the action of the hypothalamus

neurohypophysis

posterior lobe of the pituitary gland

thyroid gland

largest endocrine gland, controls metabolism

isthmus

separates the two lobes of the thyroid gland

prolactin

hormone that promotes lactation

antideuretic hormone

hormone that increases water reabsorption in the kidney

Calcitonin

hormone that regulates the blood concentration of calcium

Parathyroid hormone

hormone secreted by the parathyroid gland, targets the bones, kidneys, and small intestine. Regulates calcium absorption

Parathyroid gland

the gland located on the posterior surface of the thyroid

adrenal glands

Also known as the super renal glands, a pair of endocrine glands located superior to the kidneys

suprarenal glands

technical name for adrenal glands

Glucocorticoids

hormone that influences the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Also affects cortisol and glucose

Mineralocorticoids

hormones that regulate electrolytes

sex hormones

hormones that regulate the development and functioning of reproductive organs and that stimulate the development of male and female sexual characteristics

adrenal medulla

inner portion of the adrenal gland

adrenal cortex

outer portion of the adrenal glands

Pancreas

organ that secretes insulin and glucagon

islets of Langerhans

cell clusters in the pancreas that form the endocrine part of that organ

Glucagon

pancreatic hormone that raises glucose level by accelerating conversion of glycogen into glucose

insulin

pancreatic hormone that lowers blood glucose level by accelerating glucose transport into cells and their usage

thymus gland

located in the mediastinal cavity, part of the lymphatic system. As a endocrine gland, secretes thymosin

pineal gland

small endocrine gland in the brain posterior to the thalamus, secretes melatonin

Thymus gland

endocrine gland located in the mediastinum

thymosin

regulates immune response in newborns

adrenal glands

adren/o

adrenomegaly

enlargement of the adrenal glands

adrenal glands

adrenal/o

adrenalectomy

surgical removal of one or both adrenal glands

calcium

calc/o

hypercalcemia

excessive calcium in the blood

sugar, sweetness

gluc/o

secrete

crin/o

glucogenesis

formation of glucose

sugar, sweetness

glyc/o

hypoglycemia

low blood sugar

sugar, sweetness

glycos/o

homeostasis

A tendency to maintain a balanced or constant internal state; the regulation of any aspect of body chemistry, such as blood glucose, around a particular level

potassium (as an electrolyte)

kal/i

kalemia

potassium in the blood

pancreas

pancreat/o

pancreatomy

surgical incision into the pancreas

parathyroid glands

parathyroid/o

parathyroidectomy

the surgical removal of one or more of the parathyroid glands

thymus gland

thym/o

thyoma

tumor of the thymus gland

thyroid gland

thyr/o

thyromegaly

enlargement of the thyroid gland

thyroid gland

thyroid/o

hyperthyroidism

condition of excessive thyroid gland (function)

poison

toxic/o

toxicologist

specialist in the study of poisons

secrete

-crine

endocrine

secreting within

thrist

-dipsia

polydipsia

excessive thirst

forming, producing, origin

-gen

androgen

Male sex hormone

pertaining to poison

-toxic

thyrotoxic

pertaining to poison (associated with) the thyroid gland

glycosuria

glucose in the urine

good

eu-

euthyroid

normal thyroid function

outside

exo-

exocrine

secreting externally

many

poly-

polyuria

excessive urination

hyposecretion

abnormally decreased secretion

hypersecretion

abnormally increased secretion

endocrinology

study of the endocrine system

endocrinologist

physician who studies and treats diseases of the endocrine system

hypothyroidism

a deficiency of thyroid hormone secretion

cretinism

hypothyroidism in infants

myxedema

hypothyroidism in adults

Graves Disease

hyperthyroidism caused by an autoimmune response

toxic nodular hyperthyroidism

hyperthyroidism involving formation of nodules or lumps on the thyroid gland

exophthalmos

abnormal protrusion of the eyeball

goiter

enlargement of the thyroid gland

hypoparathyroidism

deficient production of parathyroid hormone

tetany

muscle twitches and spasms, often from hypocalcemia

hyperparathyroidism

excessive levels of parathyroid hormone

adenoma

tumor of a gland

Addison disease

deficiency in the secretion of adrenocortical hormones

hyponatremia

deficient sodium in the blood

hyperkalemia

excessive potassium in the blood

cushing syndrome

hypersecretion of cortisol (hydrocortisone) by the adrenal cortex

hirsutism

excessive hair growth or in unusual places

pheochromocytoma

a benign tumor of the adrenal medulla that causes the gland to produce excess epinephrine

diabetes

most common endocrine/pancreatic disorder involving insufficient production or ability to utilize insulin

ketosis

metabolism of fats and proteins when the body can't metabolize glucose, produces ketones that enter the blood

Type 1 diabetes

autoimmune disease in which the body cannot produce enough insulin

glucometer

measures blood glucose