Tanisha Arora Chapter 8: Endocrinology

Pituitary gland

Master gland in the brain that controls other endocrine glands.

Thyroid gland

Neck gland that controls metabolism (energy use).

Parathyroid gland

Small glands behind the thyroid that control blood calcium levels.

Adrenal Glands

Glands on kidneys that make hormones for stress and blood pressure.

Pancreas

Makes insulin and glucagon to control blood sugar.

Testes

Male glands that make sperm and testosterone.

Ovaries

Female glands that make eggs, estrogen, and progesterone.

Thyroxin

Thyroid hormone that increases metabolism and energy use.

Calcitonin

Hormone that lowers blood calcium levels.

Synthroid

Thyroid hormone medicine used for low thyroid.

Hypothyroidism

Underactive thyroid (low thyroid hormone).

Cretinism

Severe hypothyroidism in infants causing growth/development problems.

Hyperthyroidism

Overactive thyroid (too much thyroid hormone).

Parathyroid hormone

Hormone that raises blood calcium levels.

Hypocalcemia

Low calcium in the blood.

Adrenal medulla

Inner adrenal part that makes epinephrine (adrenaline).

Adrenal cortex

Outer adrenal part that makes cortisol and aldosterone.

Epinephrine (adrenaline)

Fight-or-flight hormone that increases heart rate and energy.

Aldosterone

Hormone that controls salt/water balance and blood pressure.

Cortisol

Stress hormone that helps control blood sugar and inflammation.

Addison's Disease

Condition where adrenal glands make too little cortisol/aldosterone.

Cushing's Disease

Condition where body has too much cortisol.

Insulin

Hormone that lowers blood sugar by moving glucose into cells.

Glucagon

Hormone that raises blood sugar by releasing stored glucose.

Diabetes Mellitus

Disease with high blood sugar due to insulin problems.

Glycogenesis

Storing glucose as glycogen (in liver/muscles).

Glycogenolysis

Breaking down glycogen into glucose for energy.

Testosterone

Male sex hormone for male traits and sperm production.

Estrogen

Female sex hormone for female traits and cycle regulation.

Progesterone

Hormone that helps maintain pregnancy and regulates menstrual cycle.

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin

Pregnancy hormone made by placenta that supports early pregnancy.

Placenta

Pregnancy organ that nourishes the baby and makes hormones.

Gestation

The time period of pregnancy while the baby develops.

What are the two parts of the pituitary gland?

The pituitary has two parts: anterior (front) and posterior (back).

What two hormones are made by the posterior pituitary gland?

The posterior pituitary releases ADH and oxytocin.

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

Hormone that helps kidneys save water (reduces urine).

Oxytocin

Hormone that causes labor contractions and milk release.

Pitocin

Synthetic (man-made) oxytocin used to induce labor.

What are the five hormones made by the anterior pituitary gland?

The anterior pituitary makes hormones that control other glands and growth.

Thyrotropin

Hormone that stimulates the thyroid gland (TSH).

Adrenocorticotropin

Hormone that stimulates the adrenal cortex (ACTH).

Follicle Stimulating hormone (FSH)

Hormone that helps eggs develop in ovaries and sperm production in testes.

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

Hormone that triggers ovulation and testosterone production.

Growth hormone

Hormone that helps the body grow and build muscle/bone.

Prolactin

Hormone that stimulates milk production.

Gonad

A sex gland that produces gametes (eggs or sperm) and hormones.

Tropic

A hormone that targets/stimulates another endocrine gland.

Adeno

Prefix meaning “gland” (like adenohypophysis = anterior pituitary).