Anatomy Ch. 9 pt.1

Endocrine System

Endocrine System

a network of glands that produce hormones regulating bodily functions such as metabolism, growth, mood, and reproduction, playing a key role in maintaining homeostasis.

Endocrinology

the branch of medicine that studies the endocrine system and its hormones, focusing on diagnosis and treatment of hormonal imbalances and related disorders.

Hormones

chemical messengers produced by glands in the endocrine system, released into the bloodstream to regulate various physiological processes in the body.

Amino acid-based molecules

that serve as hormones, including peptides and proteins. They play crucial roles in signaling and regulation across various tissues.

Steroids

lipid-based hormones derived from cholesterol. They regulate several functions, including metabolism, immune response, and reproductive processes.

Prostaglandins

lipid compounds that have hormone-like effects, involved in various physiological functions such as inflammation and blood flow regulation.

Target cells/organs

cells or organs that have specific receptors for hormones and are responsive to their signaling.

Second-messenger

a molecule that relays signals from receptors on the cell surface to target molecules inside the cell.

Negative feedback

a regulatory mechanism in which a change in a particular variable triggers a response that counteracts the initial change, helping to maintain homeostasis.

Hypothalamus

a region of the brain that regulates key bodily functions including temperature, hunger, and hormonal balance.

Ductless glands

that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream.

Pituitary gland

the master endocrine gland that controls other endocrine glands and regulates various bodily functions such as growth and metabolism.

Releasing hormones

chemicals produced by the hypothalamus that stimulate the secretion of specific hormones from the pituitary gland.

Inhibiting hormones

substances produced by the hypothalamus that decrease the secretion of specific hormones from the pituitary gland.

Oxytocin

a hormone produced in the hypothalamus and secreted by the pituitary gland, involved in childbirth and breastfeeding, promoting uterine contractions and milk ejection.

Antidiuretic hormone

A hormone produced by the hypothalamus that helps regulate water balance in the body by promoting water reabsorption in the kidneys.

Neurosecretory cells

specialized neurons in the hypothalamus that produce and secrete hormones, influencing the pituitary gland's activity.

Vasopressin

A peptide hormone that regulates water retention in the body and blood pressure.

Tropic hormones

hormones that stimulate other endocrine glands to release their hormones.

Growth hormone

Hormone that stimulates growth, cell reproduction, and regeneration in humans and other animals.

Pituitary dwarfism

A condition resulting from insufficient growth hormone production during childhood, leading to short stature.

Gigantism

a condition characterized by excessive growth and height significantly above average due to overproduction of growth hormone.

Acromegaly

a disorder resulting from excess growth hormone in adulthood, leading to abnormal growth of bones and tissues.

Prolactin

A hormone produced by the pituitary gland that stimulates milk production in mammals.

Gonadotropic hormones

hormones that stimulate the gonads to produce sex cells and hormones, including FSH and LH.

Gonads

the reproductive organs that produce gametes and sex hormones, including testes in males and ovaries in females.

Follicle stimulating hormone

A hormone produced by the anterior pituitary that stimulates the development of ovarian follicles in females and spermatogenesis in males.

Luteinizing hormone

a gonadotropic hormone that triggers ovulation in females and stimulates testosterone production in males.

Sterility

the inability to conceive or produce offspring due to issues with reproductive organs or hormonal imbalances.

Thyrotropic hormone

A hormone that stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones, playing a critical role in regulating metabolism.

Thyroid stimulating hormone

a pituitary hormone that regulates the production of hormones by the thyroid gland, influencing metabolism and energy levels.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone

A hormone produced by the anterior pituitary that stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce corticosteroids, primarily cortisol.

Pineal gland

A small, pea-shaped gland in the brain that produces melatonin, which regulates sleep-wake cycles.

Melatonin

A hormone produced by the pineal gland that regulates sleep-wake cycles and circadian rhythms.

Thyroid gland

An endocrine gland that regulates metabolism, growth, and development through the release of thyroid hormones such as thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).

Follicles

Structures within the thyroid gland that produce thyroid hormones, including thyroxine and triiodothyronine, which regulate metabolism.

Thyroid hormone

Hormones produced by the thyroid gland, including thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), that regulate metabolism, growth, and development.

Thyroxine, T4

A thyroid hormone that helps regulate metabolism, energy production, and growth.

Triiodothyronine, T3

thyroid hormone critical for metabolism regulation, affecting energy production, growth, and development.

Goiters

abnormal enlargements of the thyroid gland, often due to iodine deficiency or thyroid dysfunction.

Cretinism

a severe form of mental and physical growth impairment caused by untreated congenital hypothyroidism.

Myxedema

a waxy, non-pitting swelling of the skin, especially around the eyes, hands, and feet, resulting from the accumulation of mucopolysaccharides in the dermis, often associated with severe, untreated hypothyroidism