Medical Terminology for Health Professions Chapter 13

adren/o

adrenal glands

gonad/o

gonads

testic/o

testicles

ovari/o

ovaries

pancreat/o

pancreatic islets

parathyroid/o

parathyroid glands

pineal/o

pineal gland

pituit/o pituitar/o

pituitary gland

thym/o

thymus

thyr/o thyroid/o

thyroid gland

homeostasis

is the process through which the body maintains a constant internal environment

hormones

chemical messengers that are secreted by endocrine glands directly into the bloodstream

endocrine glands

produce hormones, do not have ducts

pituitary gland

is a pea sized gland that is divided into two parts, the anterior and posterior lobes, primary function is to secrete hormones that control the activity of other endocrine glands

adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

stimulates the growth and secretions of the adrenal cortex

follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

in females, it stimulates the secretion of estrogen and the growth of ova in the ovaries, in males it stimulates the production of sperm in the testicles

growth hormone (GH)

also known as the somatotropic hormone, regulates the growth of bone, muscle, and other body tissues

interstitial cell-stimulating hormone (ICSH)

in females, it stimulates ovulation and in males it stimulates the secretion of testosterone

lactogenic hormone (LTH)

also known as prolactin, stimulates and maintains the secretion of breast milk in the mother after childbirth

luteinizing hormone (LH)

stimulates ovulation in the female, stimulates the secretion of testosterone in men

melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)

increases the production of melanin in melanocytes, thereby causing darkening of skin pigmentation, production usually increases during pregnancy

thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

stimulates the secretion of hormones by the thyroid gland

antodiuretic hormone (ADH)

is secreted by the hypothalamus and stored and released in the pituitary gland, helps control blood pressure by reducing the amount of water that is excreted through the kidneys

oxytocin (OXT)

stimulates uterine contractions during childbirth, after childbirth it controls post-natal hemorrhage and stimulates the flow of milk from the mammary glands

pineal gland

is a very small endocrine gland, also known as the pineal body, it is located in the central portion of the brain

melatonin

influences the sleep-wakefulness portions of the circadian cycle

circadian cycle

refers to the biological functions that occur within a 24 hour period

thyroid gland

butterfly shaped, lies on either side of the larynx, just below the thyroid cartilage, primary function is to regulate the body;s metabolism

calcitonin

is produced by the thyroid gland, is a hormone that works with the parathyroid hormone to decrease calcium levels in the blood and tissues by moving calcium into storage in the bones and teeth

parathyroid glands

four glands each of which is about the size of a grain of rice, are embedded in the posterior surface of the thyroid gland, primary functions are to regulate calcium levels throughout the body

parathyroid hormone (PTH)

works with the hormone calcitonin that is secreted by the thyroid gland, together they regulate the calcium levels in the blood and tissues

thymus

is located near the midline in the anterior portion of the thoracic cavity, it is posterior to the sternum and slightly superior to the heart

thymosin

plays an important role in the immune system by stimulating the maturation of lymphocytes into T cells

pancreas

a feather shaped organ located posterior to the stomach that functions as part of both the digestive and the endocrine systems

pancreatic islets

the parts of the pancreas that have endocrine functions, controls blood sugar levels and glucose metabolism throughout the body

glucose

also known as blood sugar, is the basic form of energy used by the body

glucagon

the hormone secreted by the alpha cells of the pancreatic islets in response to low levels of glucose in the bloodstream, increases the glucose level by stimulating the liver to convert glycogen into glucose for release into the bloodstream

insulin

the hormone secreted by the beta cells of the pancreatic islets in response to high levels of glucose in the blood stream, functions in 2 ways: when energy is needed, it allows glucose to enter the cells to be used as energy, when additional glucose is not needed, it stimulates the liver to convert glucose into glycogen for storage

adrenal glands

also known as the suprarenals, located one on top of each kidney, primary functions are to control electrolyte levels within the body

electrolytes

are mineral substances such as sodium and potassium that are normally found in the blood

androgens

sex hormones secreted by the gonads, the adrenal cortex and fat cells, promote the development and maintenance of the male sex characteristics, however they are present in both men and women

corticosteroids

the steroid hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex

aldosterone (ALD)

is a corticosteroid that regulates the salt and water levels in the body by increasing sodium reabsorbtion and potassium excretion by the kidneys

cortisol

also known as hydrocortisone, is a corticosteroid that has an anti-inflammatory action, it also regulates the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins within the body

epinephrine

also known as adrenaline, stimulates the sympathetic nervous system in response to physical injury or to mental stress such as fear, it makes the heart beat faster and can raise blood pressure, it also helps the liver release glucose and limits the release of insulin

norepinephrine

is both a hormone and a neurohormone it is released as a hormone by the adrenal medulla and as a neurohormone by the sympathetic nervous system, it plays an important role in the "fight-or-flight" response by raising blood pressure, strengthening the heartbeat, and stimulating muscle contractions

gonads

are gamete producing glands, ovaries in females and testicles in males

puberty

is the process of physical changes by which a child's body becomes and adult body that is capable of reproducing

estrogen

a hormone secreted by the ovaries that is important in the development and maintenance of the female secondary sex characteristics and in regulation of the menstrual cycle

progesterone

the hormone released during the second half of the menstrual cycle by the corpus luteum in the ovary, its function is to complete the preparation of the uterus for possible pregnancy

gamete

a reproductive cell, sperm in the male, ova in the female

gonadotropin

is any hormone that stimulates the gonads

testosterone

is a steroid hormone secreted by the testicles and the adrenal cortex to stimulate the development of male secondary sex characteristics

steroids

are a large family of hormone like substances that share the same fat-soluble chemical structure, examples are cholesterol, testosterone, and some anti-inflammatory drugs, are secreted by endocrine glands or artificially produced as medications to relieve swelling, and inflammation in conditions such as asthma

anabolic steroids

are man made substances that are chemically related to male sex hormones, used in the treatment of hormone problems in men, and to help the body replace muscle mass lost due to disease

leptin

a hormone secreted by fat cells that is involved in the regulation of appetite, leaves fat cells and travels in the blood stream to the brain where it acts on the hypothalamus to suppress appetite and burn fat in adipose tissue

neurohormones

are produced and released by neurons in the brain rather than by the endocrine glands, and delivered to organs and tissues through the bloodstream

endocrinologist

is a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and malfunctions of the endocrine glands

certified diabetes instructor (CDE)

a health care professional qualifies to teach people with diabetes how to manage their disease

acromegaly

a rare chronic disease characterized by abnormal enlargement of the extremities caused by the excessive secretion of growth hormone after puberty

gigantism

is abnormal growth of the entire body that is caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone before puberty

hyperpituitarism

is the excessive secretion of growth hormone that causes acromegaly and gigantism

short stature

also known as dwarfism is sometimes caused by deficient secretion of growth hormone

pituitary adenoma

also known as a pituitary tumor, there are two types of this slow growing benign tumors

galactorrhea

a condition in which an excess of prolactin causes the breasts to produce milk spontaneously

prolactinoma

is a benign tumor of the pituitary gland this type of tumor, which causes the pituitary gland to produce too much of the lactogenic hormone known as prolactin,can cause infertility in women and erectile dysfunction in men and can impair vision

diabetes insipidus (DI)

is caused by an insufficient production of the antidiuretic hormone ADH or by the inability of the kidneys to respond appropriately to this hormone

syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH)

is caused by the overproduction of the antidiuretic hormone ADH, this is often as a result of cancer or its treatment, high amounts of ADH keep the kidneys from excreting water, resulting in bloating and water retention that can dilute the blood causing electrolyte imbalances, particularly hyponatremia

pinealoma

is a tumor of the pineal gland that can disrupt the production of melatonin, this tumor can also cause insomnia by disrupting the circadian cycle

thyroid carcinoma

is the most common cancer of the endocrine system, affects more women than men and usually occurs between the ages of 25 and 65 years

Hashimoto's disease

also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, is an autoimmune disease in which the body's own antibodies attack and destroy the cells of the thyroid gland, this inflammation often leads to hypothyroidism

hypothyroidism

also known as underactive thyroid, is caused by a deficiency of thyroid secretion, symptoms include fatigue, depression, sensitivity to cold and a decreased metabolic rate

cretinism

is a congenital form of hypothyroidism, if treatment is not started soon after birth, it causes arrested physical and mental development

myxedema

is caused by an extreme deficiency of thyroid secretion, symptoms include swelling, particularly around the eyes and cheeks, fatigue and a subnormal temperature

thyroid storm

also known as a thyrotoxic crisis, is a relatively rare, life-threatening condition caused by exaggerated hyperthyroidism, symptoms include fever, chest pains, palpitations, shortness of breath, tremors, increased sweating, disorientation and fatigue

hypertyroidism

also known as thyrotoxicosis, is the overproduction of thyroid hormones which causes an imbalance in the metabolism, this causes symptoms including an increased metabolic rate, sweating, nervousness and weight loss, the most common cause of this is Graves' disease

Graves' disease

is a disorder of unknown cause in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland and stimulates it to make excessive amounts of thyroid hormone, this results in hyperthyroidism and can cause goiter, exophthalmos or both

goiter

also known as thyromegaly, is an abnormal nonmalignant enlargement of the thyroid gland, this enlargement produces a swelling in the front of the neck, usually occurs when the thyroid gland is not able to produce enough thyroid hormone to meet the body's needs either due to Graves' disease, other medical conditions or an iodine deficiency

exophthalmos

is an abnormal protrusion of the eyeball out of the orbit

hyperparathyroidism

is the overproduction of the parathyroid hormone, causes the condition known as hypercalcemia, can result from a disorderof the parathyroid gland or from a disorder elsewhere in the body such as kidney failure

hypercalcemia

is characterized by abnormally high concentrations of calcium circulating in the blood instead of being stored in the bones and teeth, this can lead to weakened bones and to the formation of kidney stones

hypoparathyroidism

is caused by an insufficient or absent secretion of the parathyroid hormone, this condition causes hypocalcemia and in severe cases it leads to tetany

tetany

is the condition of periodic painful muscle spasms and tremors

hypocalcemia

characterized by abnormally low levels of calcium in the blood

thymitis

is an inflammation of the thymus gland

insulinoma

is a benign tumor of the pancreas that causes hypoglycemia by secreting additional insulin

pancreatitis

is an inflammation of the pancreas, leading cause of this is alcoholism

hyperglycemia

is an abnormally high concentration of glucose in the blood, seen primarily in patients with diabetes mellitus, symptoms include polydipsia, polyphagia, and polyuria

polydipsia

means excessive thrist

polyphagia

is excessive hunger

polyuria

is excessive urination

hyperinsulinism

is the condition of excessive secretion of insulin in the bloodstream

hypoglycemia

is an abnormally low concentration of glucose in the blood, symptoms include nervousness and shakiness, confusion, perspiration, or feeling anxious or weak