Endocrine Glands and Hormones

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary related to endocrine glands and hormones as outlined in the lecture notes.

Endocrine Glands

Ductless glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream.

Hormones

Chemical messengers secreted by endocrine glands that regulate body metabolism, growth, and reproduction.

Epinephrine

A hormone released from the adrenal medulla that causes adrenergic stimulation, increasing heart rate and blood pressure.

Glucocorticoids

Hormones from the adrenal cortex that influence glucose metabolism and regulate stress response.

Thyroid Gland

Gland located below the larynx that produces hormones such as thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) to regulate metabolism.

Parathyroid Gland

Glands located behind the thyroid that secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH) to regulate calcium levels in the blood.

Insulin

A hormone produced by the pancreas that lowers blood glucose levels by promoting its uptake in cells.

Glucagon

A hormone produced by the pancreas that raises blood glucose levels by stimulating glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis.

Cortisol

A glucocorticoid hormone released from the adrenal cortex that helps regulate metabolism and respond to stress.

Steroid Hormones

Lipid-soluble hormones derived from cholesterol that can penetrate cell membranes and activate nuclear receptors.

Prohormones

Inactive precursors that require modification to become active hormones, such as proinsulin.

Thymopoietin

A hormone secreted by the thymus that stimulates white blood cell production.

Leptin

A hormone secreted by adipose tissue that suppresses appetite.

Pituitary Gland

A gland located at the base of the brain that secretes hormones including growth hormone and prolactin.

Melatonin

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

Aldosterone

A mineralocorticoid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex that regulates sodium and potassium balance.