Ch 7 - The Endocrine System

A set of core vocabulary flashcards covering glands, hormones, word roots, disorders, diagnostic tests, procedures, and treatments from the Endocrine System lecture.

Endocrine gland

A ductless gland that secretes hormones directly into the bloodstream.

Hormone

Chemical messenger released by an endocrine gland to regulate activities of target cells elsewhere in the body.

Adrenal glands (suprarenal glands)

Pair of glands on top of the kidneys; cortex secretes steroid hormones, medulla secretes catecholamines.

Adrenal cortex

Outer portion of the adrenal gland; produces glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and androgens.

secretes steroid hormones which regulate carbohydrate metabolism and salt and water balance

Adrenal medulla

Inner portion of the adrenal gland; secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Glucocorticoids

Steroid hormones (e.g., cortisol) that regulate carbohydrate metabolism and have anti-inflammatory effects.

Mineralocorticoids

Steroid hormones (e.g., aldosterone) that regulate salt and water balance.

Androgens

Steroid hormones that influence development and maintenance of male sex characteristics.

Epinephrine (adrenaline)

Catecholamine released in response to fear or injury; heightens sympathetic nervous activity.

Norepinephrine

Catecholamine released in response to hypotension or stress; constricts blood vessels.

Pancreas (islets of Langerhans)

Endocrine tissue behind the stomach that secretes insulin and glucagon.

Insulin

Hormone from pancreatic beta cells that lowers blood glucose by facilitating cellular uptake.

Glucagon

Hormone from pancreatic alpha cells that raises blood glucose by stimulating glycogen breakdown.

Ovaries

Female gonads that secrete estrogen and progesterone.

Estrogen

Hormone responsible for development of female secondary sex characteristics and regulation of reproduction.

Progesterone

Hormone that prepares and maintains the uterus during pregnancy.

Testes

Male gonads located in the scrotum; secrete testosterone.

Testosterone

Hormone producing masculinization and supporting sperm production.

Thyroid gland

Butterfly-shaped gland in the neck; secretes T3, T4, and calcitonin.

Triiodothyronine (T3)

Potent thyroid hormone that regulates metabolism.

Thyroxine (T4)

Thyroid hormone that regulates metabolism; converted to T3 in tissues.

Calcitonin

Thyroid hormone that lowers blood calcium and phosphorus levels.

Parathyroid glands

Four small glands on posterior thyroid; secrete parathyroid hormone.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH)

Hormone that raises blood calcium and phosphorus by acting on bone, kidneys, and gut.

Pineal gland

Small gland in the brain that secretes melatonin and serotonin.

Melatonin

Hormone involved in circadian rhythm and onset of puberty.

Serotonin

Neurotransmitter and hormone that constricts blood vessels and influences mood.

Thymus

Gland in the mediastinum; secretes thymosin for immune development.

Thymosin

Hormone that regulates immune response and T-cell maturation.

Pituitary gland (hypophysis)

Master gland at brain base; anterior lobe (adenohypophysis) and posterior lobe (neurohypophysis).

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

Anterior pituitary hormone that stimulates thyroid secretion.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

Anterior pituitary hormone that stimulates adrenal cortex secretion.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Anterior pituitary hormone initiating ovarian follicle growth and spermatogenesis.

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

Anterior pituitary hormone causing ovulation and stimulating testosterone production.

Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)

Anterior pituitary hormone affecting skin pigmentation.

Growth hormone (GH)

Anterior pituitary hormone that stimulates body growth.

Prolactin (PRL)

Anterior pituitary hormone promoting breast development and milk production.

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH, vasopressin)

Posterior pituitary hormone that increases water reabsorption by kidney tubules.

Oxytocin (OXT)

Posterior pituitary hormone that stimulates uterine contraction and milk ejection.

Aden/o

Combining form meaning gland.

Adren/o, adrenal/o

Combining forms meaning adrenal gland.

Crin/o

Combining form meaning to secrete.

Glyc/o, gluc/o, glucos/o

Combining forms meaning glucose (sugar).

Thyr/o, thyroid/o

Combining forms meaning thyroid gland.

Exophthalmos

Protrusion of the eyeballs, often due to hyperthyroidism.

Hyperglycemia

Abnormally high blood glucose level.

Hypoglycemia

Abnormally low blood glucose level.

Hirsutism

Excessive hair growth in atypical areas, often from androgen excess.

Cushing syndrome

Group of signs due to excess cortisol: central obesity, moon face, hyperglycemia, hypertension.

Diabetes mellitus (DM)

Metabolic disorder of insufficient insulin action causing hyperglycemia and glycosuria.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus

Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells resulting in absolute insulin deficiency.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Insulin resistance and relative deficiency; often managed by diet, exercise, medications.

Hyperparathyroidism

Excess PTH secretion, usually from a tumor.

Acromegaly

Enlargement of extremities from excess GH after puberty.

Goiter

Enlarged thyroid gland due to dysfunction, iodine lack, or inflammation.

Graves disease

Autoimmune hyperthyroidism with goiter and exophthalmos.

Myxedema

Advanced adult hypothyroidism with sluggishness and puffiness.

Blood glucose (blood sugar)

Laboratory measurement of glucose level in blood.

Fasting blood sugar (FBS)

Blood glucose test after 12-hour fast.

Postprandial blood sugar (PPBS)

Blood glucose measurement taken after a meal.

Glucose tolerance test (GTT)

Series of glucose measurements after oral glucose load to assess carbohydrate metabolism.

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)

Percentage of glycohemoglobin reflecting average blood glucose over ~3 months.

Electrolyte panel

Lab test measuring sodium, potassium, chloride, and CO₂ in blood.

Thyroid uptake and scan

Nuclear imaging test evaluating thyroid nodules by radioiodine uptake.

Adrenalectomy

Surgical removal of one or both adrenal glands.

Pancreatectomy

Surgical removal of all or part of the pancreas.

Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII), insulin pump therapy

Use of an insulin pump to deliver programmed basal and bolus insulin doses.

Radioiodine therapy

Treatment using radioactive iodine to destroy thyroid tissue or tumors.

Antidiabetic drug

Medication used to manage blood glucose in diabetes (e.g., metformin, insulin).

Antithyroid drug

Agent that inhibits thyroid hormone production to treat hyperthyroidism.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Administration of deficient hormones, such as estrogen, testosterone, or thyroid hormone.

dips/o

thirst

gluc/o, glucos/o, glyc/o

glucose (sugar)

hormon/o

hormone (an urging on)

ket/o, keton/o

ketone bodies

pancreat/o

pancreas

thym/o

thymus gland

thyr/o, thyroid/o

thyroid gland (shield)

hypercalcemia

an abnormally high level of calcium in the blood

hypocalcemia

an abnormally low level of calcium in the blood

hyperkalemia

an abnormally high level of potassium in the blood

kalium = potassium

hypokalemia

deficient level of potassium in the blood

hypersecretion

abnormally increased secretion

hyposecretion

abnormally decreased secretion

hyperinsulinism

a condition resulting from an excessive amount of insulin in the blood that draws glucose out of the bloodstream, resulting in hypoglycemia, fainting, and convulsions; often caused by an overdose of insulin or by a tumor of the pancreas

pancreatitis

inflammation of the pancreas

hypoparathyroidism

hyposecretion of the parathyroid glands

gigantism

a condition of hypersecretion of growth hormone during childhood bone development that leads to an abnormal overgrowth of bone, especially of the long bones; most often caused by a pituitary tumor; also called giantism

hyperthyroidism

a condition of hypersecretion of thyroid hormone characterized by nervousness, weight loss, rapid pulse, protrusion of the eyeball (exophthalmos), and goiter

hypothyroidism

a condition of hyposecretion of thyroid hormone resulting in sluggishness, slow pulse, and, often, obesity

infantile hypothyroidism

condition of congenital hypothyroidism in children that results in a developmental disability and short physical stature; the thyroid is either congenitally absent or imperfectly developed

Blood glucose (blood sugar)

Laboratory measurement of glucose level in blood.

Fasting blood sugar (FBS)

Blood glucose test after 12-hour fast.

Postprandial blood sugar (PPBS)

Blood glucose measurement taken after a meal.

Glucose tolerance test (GTT)

Series of glucose measurements after oral glucose load to assess carbohydrate metabolism.

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)

Percentage of glycohemoglobin reflecting average blood glucose over ~3 months.

Electrolyte panel

Lab test measuring sodium, potassium, chloride, and CO

in blood.

Thyroid uptake and scan

Nuclear imaging test evaluating thyroid nodules by radioiodine uptake.

Blood glucose (blood sugar)

Laboratory measurement of glucose level in blood.

Fasting blood sugar (FBS)

Blood glucose test after 12-hour fast.