Chapter 13 Medical Terms

Flashcards covering the vocabulary of the endocrine system, including key terms and their definitions.

acr/o

extremities (hands and feet), top, extreme point

adren/o

adrenal glands

crin/o

secrete

-dipsia

thirst

glyc/o

glucose, sugar

gonad/o

gonad, sex glands

-ism

condition, state of

pancreat/o

pancreas

parathyroid/o

parathyroid glands

pineal/o

pineal gland

pituitar/o

pituitary gland

poly-

many

somat/o

body

thym/o

thymus gland

thyr/o, thyroid/o

thyroid gland

acromegaly

enlargement of the extremities due to excessive growth hormone

Addison’s disease

disorder caused by insufficient production of adrenal cortex hormones

adrenalitis

inflammation of the adrenal glands

aldosteronism

excessive secretion of aldosterone

antidiuretic hormone

hormone that reduces urine output and helps maintain water balance

calcitonin

hormone that lowers calcium levels in the blood

Conn’s syndrome

disorder caused by excessive aldosterone production

cortisol

steroid hormone released in response to stress

cretinism

condition of severely stunted growth due to congenital hypothyroidism

Cushing’s syndrome

condition from excessive cortisol production

diabetes insipidus

disorder with intense thirst and heavy urination due to lack of antidiuretic hormone

diabetes mellitus

group of metabolic diseases involving high blood sugar

diabetic retinopathy

damage to retina caused by long-term diabetes

electrolytes

minerals in body fluids essential for normal function

epinephrine

hormone/adrenaline involved in stress response

estrogen

primary female sex hormone

exophthalmos

abnormal protrusion of the eyeballs

follicle-stimulating hormone

hormone that stimulates the development of ova and sperm

fructosamine test

blood test measuring average glucose over the past 2–3 weeks

gestational diabetes mellitus

diabetes occurring during pregnancy

gigantism

abnormal growth due to excess growth hormone during childhood

glucagon

hormone that raises blood glucose levels

glucose

sugar used by the body for energy

Graves’ disease

autoimmune disorder leading to overactive thyroid

growth hormone

hormone that stimulates growth and cell reproduction

gynecomastia

development of breast tissue in males

Hashimoto’s disease

autoimmune disease causing hypothyroidism

hypercalcemia

abnormally high levels of calcium in the blood

hyperglycemia

high blood sugar

hyperinsulinism

excessive insulin in the blood

hyperpituitarism

excessive secretion of pituitary hormones

hyperthyroidism

overactive thyroid gland

hypoglycemia

low blood sugar

hypothyroidism

underactive thyroid gland

insulin

hormone that regulates blood sugar

insulinoma

tumor of the pancreas that produces excess insulin

ketosis

metabolic state with high levels of ketones

laparoscopic adrenalectomy

minimally invasive removal of the adrenal gland

leptin

hormone regulating appetite and metabolism

luteinizing hormone

hormone triggering ovulation or testosterone production

myxedema

severe hypothyroidism causing skin and tissue swelling

norepinephrine

hormone and neurotransmitter involved in the stress response

oxytocin

hormone causing uterine contractions and milk ejection

pancreatitis

inflammation of the pancreas

parathyroidectomy

surgical removal of parathyroid glands

pituitary adenoma

benign tumor of the pituitary gland

polydipsia

excessive thirst

polyphagia

excessive hunger

polyuria

excessive urination

prediabetes

condition with higher-than-normal blood sugar, but not yet diabetes

progesterone

hormone that prepares the uterus for pregnancy

prolactinoma

benign tumor of the pituitary gland producing prolactin

puberty

process of physical changes through which a child matures into an adult

radioactive iodine treatment

therapy for hyperthyroidism or thyroid cancer using radioactive iodine

steroids

hormones used to reduce inflammation or regulate metabolism

testosterone

primary male sex hormone

thymectomy

surgical removal of the thymus gland

thymitis

inflammation of the thymus gland

thymosin

hormone that stimulates T-cell production

thyroxine

hormone that regulates metabolism