All chapters: AH 311

function of the endocrine system

regulates body activities through the use of chemical messengers called hormones, which when released into the bloodstream influence metabolic activities, growth, and development

endocrine glands

secrete hormones that go directly into the bloodstream and are transported throughout the body. They are referred to as ductless glands because they do not have ducts to carry their secretions.

exocrine glands

glands that have ducts that carry their secretions from the producing gland to other parts of the body (also called duct glands)

pituitary gland

approximately the size of a pea and located at the base of the brain. This gland is divided into two lobes. It is often referred to as the master gland because it produces hormones that stimulate the function of other endocrine glands (also called hypophysis cerebri)

anterior lobe of the pituitary gland

produces and secretes growth hormones, adrenocorticotropic hormones, thyroid-stimulating hormones, gonadotropic hormones, and prolactin (also called adenohypophysis)

growth hormone

hormone that regulates the growth of the body

Abbreviate: GH

Abbreviation: growth hormone

adrenocorticotropic hormone

hormone that stimulates the adrenal cortex

Abbreviation: ACTH

Abbreviate: adrenocorticotropic hormone

thyroid-stimulating hormone

hormone that stimulates that thyroid gland

Abbreviation: TSH

Abbreviate: thyroid-stimulating hormone

gonadotropic hormones

hormones that stimulate the gonads (the testes in males and ovaries in females)

follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone

gonadotropic hormones released from the adenohypophysis

Abbreviation: FSH

Abbreviate: follicle-stimulating hormone

Abbreviation: LH

Abbreviate: luteinizing hormone

prolactin

hormone that promotes development of glandular tissue during pregnancy and produces milk after birth of an infant

Abbreviation: PRL

Abbreviate: prolactin

posterior lobe of the pituitary gland

stores and releases antidiuretic hormone and oxytocin (also called neurohypophysis)

antidiuretic hormone

hormone that stimulates the kidney to reabsorb water and constricts blood vessels to help maintain blood pressure (also called vasopressin)

Abbreviation: ADH

Abbreviate: antidiuretic hormone

oxytocin

hormone that stimulates uterine contractions during labor and postpartum, and milk let down by the breasts postpartum

hypothalamus

located superior to the pituitary gland in the brain. The hypothalamus secretes “releasing” hormones that function to stimulate or inhibit the release of pituitary gland hormones

thyroid gland

largest endocrine gland. It is located anteriorly in the neck below the larynx and comprises bilateral lobes connected by an isthmus. It secretes the hormones triiodothyronine and thyroxine which require iodine for their production.

Abbreviation: T₃

Abbreviate: triiodothyronine

Abbreviation: T₄

Abbreviate: thyroxine

parathyroid glands

four small bodies embedded in the posterior aspect of the lobes of the thyroid gland

parathyroid hormones

the hormone produced by the parathyroid glands; help maintain the level of calcium in the blood by its effects on bones and kidneys

Abbreviation: PTH

Abbreviate: parathyroid hormone

islets of Langerhans

clusters of endocrine tissue found throughout the pancreas, made up of different cell types that secrete various hormones, including insulin and glucagon. Non-endocrine cells found throughout the pancreas produce enzymes that facilitate digestion.

adrenal glands

paired glands, one of which is located superior to each kidney. These glands secrete cortisol, aldosterone, epinephrine, and norepinephrine.

adrenal cortex

the outer portion of the adrenal glands

adrenal medulla

the inner portion of the adrenal glands

cortisol

hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex that aids the body during stress by increasing glucose levels to provide energy (also called hydrocortisone)

aldosterone

hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex that regulates electrolytes (mineral salts) necessary for normal body function

epinephrine and norepinephrine

hormones secreted by the adrenal medulla that help the body to deal with stress by increasing the blood pressure, heartbeat, and respirations (also called adrenaline and noradrenaline)

adren/o

Combining form: adrenal glands

adrenal/o

Combining form: adrenal glands

cortic/o

Combining form: cortex (the outer layer of a body organ)

endocrin/o

Combining form: endocrine

parathyroid/o

Combining form: parathyroid glands

pituitar/o

Combining form: pituitary gland

thyroid/o

Combining form: thyroid gland

acr/o

Combining form: extremities, height

calc/i

Combining form: calcium

dips/o

Combining form: thirst

glyc/o

Combining form: sugar

kal/i

Combining form: potassium

natr/o

Combining form: sodium

eu-

Prefix: normal, good

hyper-

Prefix: above, excessive

hypo-

Prefix: below, incomplete, deficient, under

pan-

Prefix: all, total

poly-

Prefix: many, much

syn-

Prefix: together, joined

-al

Suffix: pertaining to

-drome

Suffix: run, running

-ectomy

Suffix: excision, surgical removal

-emia

Suffix: in the blood

-ia

Suffix: diseased or abnormal state, condition of

-ism

Suffix: state of

-itis

Suffix: inflammation

-logist

Suffix: one who studies and treats (specialist, physician)

-logy

Suffix: study of

-megaly

Suffix: enlargement

-oma

Suffix: tumor, swelling

-pathy

Suffix: disease

-plasia

Suffix: condition of formation, development, growth

acromegaly

enlargment of the extremities (and face due to increased soft tissue, bone, and cartilage; caused by excessive production of the growth hormone by the pituitary gland after puberty)

adrenalitis

inflammation of the adrenal glands

adrenomegaly

enlargement (of one or both) of the adrenal glands

endocrinopathy

(any) disease of the endocrine (system)

hypercalcemia

excessive calcium in the blood

hyperglycemia

excessive sugar in the blood

hyperkalemia

excessive potassium in the blood

hyperparathyroidism

state of excessive parathyroid gland activity (resulting in hypercalcemia and leading to osteoporosis, as well as symptoms of muscle weakness, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness)

hyperpituitarism

state of excessive pituitary gland activity (characterized by excessive secretion of pituitary hormones)

hyperthyroidism

state of excessive thyroid gland activity (characterized by excessive secretion of thyroid hormones; signs and symptoms include tachycardia, weight loss, irritability, and heat intolerance)

hypocalcemia

deficient calcium in the blood

hypoglycemia

deficient sugar in the blood

hypokalemia

deficient potassium in the blood

hyponatremia

deficient sodium in the blood

hypopituitarism

state of deficient pituitary gland activity (characterized by decreased secretion of one or more of the pituitary hormones, which can affect the function of the target endocrine gland; for example, hypothyroidism can result from decreased secretion of thyroid-stimulating hormone by the pituitary gland)

hypothyroidism

state of deficient thyroid gland activity (characterized by decreased secretion of thyroid hormones; signs and symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, and cold intolerance)

panhypopituitarism

state of total deficient pituitary gland activity (characterized by decreased secretion of all the anterior pituitary hormones; this is a more serious condition than hypothyroidism in that it affects the function of all the other endocrine glands)

parathyroidoma

tumor of a parathyroid gland

thyroiditis

inflammation of the thyroid gland

Addison disease

chronic syndrome resulting from a deficiency in the hormonal secretion of the adrenal cortex. Signs and symptoms may include weakness, weight loss, hypotension, darkening of skin, and loss of appetite.

congenital hypothyroidism

a severe form of hypothyroidism in infants; condition caused by congenital absence or atrophy (wasting away) of the thyroid gland, resulting in hypothyroidism. The disease is characterized by puffy features, mental deficiency, large tongue, and short stature.

Cushing syndrome

group of signs and symptoms attributed to the excessive production of cortisol by the adrenal cortices. This syndrome may be the result of a pituitary tumor that produces ACTH or a primary adrenal cortex hypersecretion. Signs include abnormally pigmented skin, “moon face,” pads of fat on the chest and abdomen, “buffalo hump” (fat on the upper back), wasting away of muscle, and hypertension.

diabetes insipidus

result of decreased secretion of antidiuretic hormone by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland. Symptoms include excessive thirst, large amounts of urine, and water being excreted from the body.

Abbreviation: DI

Abbreviate: diabetes insipidus

polydipsia

excessive thirst

polyuria

excessive urination

diabetes mellitus

chronic disease involving a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism caused by under-activity of the insulin-producing islets of Langerhans and characterized by elevated blood sugar. This disease can cause chronic renal disease, retinopathy, and neuropathy. In extreme cases, the patient may develop ketosis, acidosis, and finally coma.

Abbreviation: DM

Abbreviate: diabetes mellitus

gigantism

condition brought about by hypersecretion of growth hormone by the pituitary gland before puberty

Graves disease

autoimmune disorder of the thyroid gland characterized by the production of more thyroid hormone than the body needs (hyperthyroidism), goiter, and exophthalmos

exophthalmos

abnormal protrusion of the eyeballs

Hashimoto thyroiditis

disease in which thyroid gland cells are destroyed by autoimmune processes. Characterized by hypothyroidism and goiter; more common in females.

ketoacidosis

serious condition resulting from uncontrolled diabetes mellitus in which acid ketones accumulate from fat metabolism in the absence of adequate insulin. If not promptly controlled by adequate insulin and hydration, can progress to coma and death.