Chapter 12- Endocrine System (Medical Terms)

Chapter 12 of the Introduction to Medical Terminology Textbook (Second Edition)

"adrenal cortex"

"The outer layer of an adrenal gland."

"adrenal glands"

"Two glands, one located on each kidney, responsible for the body’s adrenaline rush."

"adrenal medulla"

"The inner layer of an adrenal gland."

"adrenocorticotropic hormone"

"A hormone that controls adrenal gland function, influencing the production of cortisol."

"aldosterone"

"A hormone that regulates blood pressure, electrolyte concentrations, and fluid volume in the body."

"alpha cells"

"One group of the islets of Langerhans, responsible for secreting glucagon."

"anterior pituitary"

"The part of the pituitary gland that releases adrenocorticotropic hormone and thyroid-stimulating hormone."

"antidiuretic hormone"

"A hormone that stimulates the kidneys to retain water and constricts blood vessels."

"beta cells"

"One group of the islets of Langerhans, responsible for the release of insulin."

"calcitonin"

"A hormone that stimulates the deposit of calcium into bone and lowers blood calcium levels."

"catecholamines"

"A class of hormones released during times of stress, creating an adrenaline rush."

"circadian rhythm"

"The body’s 24-hour sleep-and-waking cycle."

"corticotropin-releasing hormone"

"A hormone that increases production of adrenocorticotropic hormone in the pituitary gland."

"cortisol"

"A hormone that regulates blood glucose levels and helps metabolize carbohydrates, proteins, and fats."

"cortisone"

"A hormone that regulates blood glucose levels."

"deoxycorticosterone"

"A hormone that serves as a building block for aldosterone."

"electrolytes"

"Electrically charged particles that help maintain homeostasis in the body."

"endocrine glands"

"Glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream."

"epinephrine"

"A hormone that intensifies stress and triggers the body’s fight-or-flight response."

"estrogen"

"A hormone that stimulates the development of female secondary sex characteristics and regulates the female reproductive system."

"exocrine glands"

"Glands that secrete fluids and hormones via ducts that carry these products to their destinations."

"follicle-stimulating hormone"

"A hormone that helps regulate reproductive processes, including puberty."

"glucagon"

"A hormone that stimulates the liver to increase blood glucose levels, when needed."

"glucocorticoids"

"Hormones involved in metabolizing carbohydrates, proteins, and fats."

"gonadotropin-releasing hormone"

"A hormone that regulates the release of reproductive hormones in both males and females."

"growth hormone"

"A hormone that stimulates body growth and development."

"growth-hormone-inhibiting hormone"

"A hormone that decreases the production of growth hormone in the pituitary gland."

"growth-hormone-releasing hormone"

"A hormone that stimulates the release of growth hormone from the pituitary gland."

"homeostasis"

"A stable state, or equilibrium, among the various organs and systems of the body."

"hormones"

"Chemicals that affect body functions."

"hypothalamus"

"A gland that serves as the control center of the autonomic nervous system, regulating heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and many other involuntary body functions."

"insulin"

"A hormone that helps lower the blood sugar levels in the body."

"islets of Langerhans"

"Groups of cells that are located in the interstitial tissue of the pancreas and carry out endocrine duties."

"luteinizing hormone"

"A hormone that stimulates ovulation in females and the production of testosterone in males."

"melanocyte-stimulating hormone"

"A hormone that stimulates the pigment melanin."

"melatonin"

"A hormone that regulates the body’s circadian rhythm."

"metabolism"

"The processes by which the body absorbs and uses nutrients."

"mineralocorticoids"

"Hormones that help maintain electrolyte balance."

"norepinephrine"

"A hormone that prepares the body for the stress response and acts as a vasoconstrictor by narrowing blood vessels."

"ovaries"

"Two oval-shaped organs, located on either side of the uterus, which are the female gonads and secrete estrogen and progesterone."

"oxytocin"

"A hormone that stimulates uterine contractions during childbirth and milk production during breastfeeding."

"parathyroid glands"

"Two pairs of tiny, rice-shaped glands located behind the wings of the thyroid that secrete parathyroid hormone."

"parathyroid hormone"

"A hormone that increases blood calcium levels and stimulates the breakdown of bone."

"pineal gland"

"A small, cone-shaped gland located in the thalamus region of the brain that releases melatonin in response to decreased light levels."

"pituitary gland"

"A pea-sized gland located just below the hypothalamus, known as the master gland."

"posterior pituitary"

"The part of the pituitary gland that secretes antidiuretic hormone and produces oxytocin."

"progesterone"

"A hormone that prepares the female body for pregnancy and helps maintain pregnancy."

"prolactin"

"A hormone that stimulates milk production and breast development in females."

"sex hormones"

"A group of hormones responsible for reproductive and secondary sex characteristics in males and females."

"testes"

"Two oval-shaped glands located in the scrotal sac of a male, which are the male gonads and secrete testosterone."

"testosterone"

"A hormone that regulates the secondary sex characteristics in males."

"thymosin"

"A hormone that assists with the development and maturation of immune cells."

"thyroid gland"

"A butterfly-shaped gland located in the throat that regulates metabolism by releasing triiodothyronine and thyroxine."

"thyroid-stimulating hormone"

"A hormone released by the pituitary gland that regulates thyroid function."

"thyrotropin-releasing hormone"

"A hormone that controls the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone."

"thyroxine"

"A hormone that regulates metabolism and is released by the thyroid gland."

"acidosis"

"An increase in the acidity of blood, body fluids, and tissues due to an excess of hydrogen ions."

"acromegaly"

"An enlargement of the face, feet, and hands; results from malfunction of the hypothalamus or the anterior pituitary gland, which causes hypersecretion of growth hormone."

"Addison’s disease"

"A disease resulting from insufficient secretion of cortisol and sometimes aldosterone; characterized by progressive anemia, hypotension, hypoglycemia, fatigue, increased skin pigmentation, joint pain, and loss of appetite."

"adenocarcinoma"

"A malignant tumor of a gland or mucus-secreting organ, including cancers of the pancreas, lung, prostate, colon, and esophagus."

"adrenal feminization"

"The pathological development of female secondary sex characteristics in someone with male anatomy."

"adrenal virilism"

"The presence or development of male secondary sex characteristics in someone with female anatomy."

"cretinism"

"Congenital hypothyroidism due to lack of thyroid hormone secretion; characterized by delayed or abnormal physical and mental development."

"Cushing’s syndrome"

"A condition resulting from the hypersecretion of cortisol; may be caused by a tumor or prolonged use of steroids."

"diabetes insipidus"

"A rare type of diabetes caused by inadequate secretion of ADH by the posterior pituitary gland; characterized by polydipsia and polyuria."

"diabetes mellitus"

"The insufficient production of insulin or the body’s inability to use insulin efficiently; characterized by hyperglycemia and glycosuria."

"diabetic ketoacidosis"

"A complication of diabetes in which the body produces acidic ketone bodies as a result of high blood glucose levels; immediate medical attention is required to reverse this state."

"diabetic retinopathy"

"A complication of diabetes mellitus that results in damage to the retina of the eye."

"dwarfism"

"A genetic or medical condition of being abnormally small or short, usually defined as an adult height of 4′10″ (1.47 meters) or less."

"edema"

"Localized or general condition of swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in the body's tissues."

"gynecomastia"

"A condition of abnormally large mammary glands in someone with male anatomy."

"hirsutism"

"A condition characterized by excessive growth of hair or presence of body hair in unusual places, especially in women."

"hyperparathyroidism"

"The excessive production of PTH that results in degeneration of the bones."

"insulinoma"

"A tumor of the beta cells in the islets of Langerhans that causes the beta cells to keep secreting insulin even when a person’s blood glucose is very low."

"myxedema"

"A severe form of hypothyroidism that occurs in older children and adults; characterized by puffy skin and swelling of the laryngeal and pharyngeal mucous membranes."

"obesity"

"An abnormal amount of fat on the body; more than 20 percent over average weight for age, sex, build, and height."

"panhypopituitarism"

"A condition characterized by the inadequate secretion, or total lack of secretion, of anterior pituitary hormones."

"peripheral neuropathy"

"Damage to the nerves that causes pain and weakness, particularly in the hands and feet; can have many causes, including diabetes and hypothyroidism."

"pheochromocytoma"

"A tumor of the adrenal glands that secretes excess epinephrine and norepinephrine, resulting in pounding headaches, hypertension, palpitations, paleness, and shortness of breath."

"SIADH"

"The excessive secretion of ADH, which increases blood volume; characterized by hypervolemia and hyponatremia."

"tetany"

"Nervous excitability and muscle spasms caused by PTH deficiency and inadequate calcium levels."

"thyrotoxicosis"

"A general term for a group of conditions caused by increases in T3 and T4 in the blood."

"type 1 diabetes mellitus"

"Diabetes mellitus in which insulin secretion is deficient due to abnormalities in the islets of Langerhans, causing hyperglycemia; also known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM)."

"type 2 diabetes mellitus"

"Diabetes mellitus in which insulin production may be normal, but the body cannot use it effectively."

"blood serum tests"

"A group of tests measuring specific levels of hormones and substances in blood to assess the function of endocrine glands and organs."

"catecholamines tests"

"Tests measuring the level of catecholamines, hormones secreted by the adrenal medulla, to detect or monitor conditions like pheochromocytoma or neuroblastoma."

"fasting blood sugar (FBS)"

"A test measuring glucose levels in blood after a patient has not eaten for 12 hours."

"glucose tolerance test (GTT)"

"A blood test used to assess the body's response to insulin."

"human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) tests"

"Tests measuring human chorionic gonadotropin, indicating pregnancy."

"long-acting thyroid stimulator (LATS) test"

"A thyroid function test detecting long-acting thyroid stimulator in the blood."

"protein-bound iodine test (PBI)"

"A blood test measuring thyroid activity by determining protein-bound iodine levels."

"radioimmunoassay (RIA)"

"A sensitive blood test using radioactive chemicals to measure small concentrations of substances, especially hormones."

"thyroid and/or parathyroid ultrasound"

"An ultrasound test to check the sizes of the thyroid and/or parathyroid glands or to evaluate lumps."

"thyroid function test (TFT)"

"A panel of tests assessing how well the thyroid is functioning."

"thyroid scan"

"A test involving radioactive iodine or technetium to observe its accumulation in the thyroid."

"thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test"

"A thyroid function test measuring the amount of TSH in the blood, indicating thyroid activity."

"thyroxine (T4) test"

"A thyroid function test measuring the levels of T4 in the blood."

"thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) test"

"A thyroid function test measuring the levels of thyroxine-binding globulin in the blood."

"triiodothyronine (T3) test"

"A thyroid function test measuring the amounts of T3 in the blood."

"triiodothyronine resin uptake (T3 RU) test"

"A thyroid function test measuring T4 levels by testing for T3 RU."