Medical Terminology: Endocrine System

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering anatomy, combining forms, pathology, diagnostics, and pharmacology of the endocrine system from Medical Terminology: A Living Language, Seventh Edition.

Endocrine Glands

Ductless organs that release hormones directly into the bloodstream to reach target organs.

Exocrine Glands

Structures that discharge secretions into a duct that transports them to specific surfaces or cavities.

Target Organs

Specific tissues containing receptive cells upon which circulating chemical messengers act to increase or decrease activity.

Adrenal Glands

Pair of endocrine glands situated on top of each kidney, subdivided into an outer cortex and an inner medulla.

Adrenal Cortex

Outer layer of the gland atop the kidney that secretes corticosteroids, including mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, and sex hormones.

Adrenal Medulla

Inner core of the suprarenal gland that secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine to mediate the fight-or-flight response.

Aldosterone

Mineralocorticoid secreted by the adrenal cortex that regulates sodium and potassium balance in the body.

Cortisol

Glucocorticoid secreted by the adrenal cortex that regulates carbohydrate metabolism and helps manage systemic stress.

Androgens

Steroid sex hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex that regulate secondary masculine characteristics.

Epinephrine

Adrenal medulla secretion that elevates heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration during emergency stress situations.

Norepinephrine

Adrenal medullary hormone released during crisis situations to assist the body in performing under acute stress.

Ovaries

Pair of female pelvic glands that produce ova and secrete estrogen and progesterone.

Estrogen

Female sex hormone responsible for secondary sexual characteristics and cyclic regulation of the endometrium.

Progesterone

Female sex steroid that prepares and maintains a suitable uterine environment during pregnancy.

Pancreas

Organ situated along the lower curvature of the stomach that possesses both exocrine digestive and endocrine metabolic functions.

Islets of Langerhans

Endocrine regions of the pancreas containing specialized alpha and beta cells that secrete glucagon and insulin.

Insulin

Hormone secreted by pancreatic beta cells that stimulates cellular uptake of glucose, lowering blood sugar levels.

Glucagon

Hormone secreted by pancreatic alpha cells that stimulates the liver to release stored glucose, elevating blood sugar.

Parathyroid Glands

Four tiny glandular structures embedded on the posterior surface of the thyroid gland that regulate blood calcium levels.

Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)

Regulatory peptide released when blood calcium falls, stimulating bone resorption to elevate circulating calcium.

Pineal Gland

Small cone-shaped neuroendocrine gland in the thalamus region of the brain that secretes melatonin.

Melatonin

Pineal hormone responsible for regulating the sleep-wake cycle and circadian rhythm.

Pituitary Gland

Master gland situated underneath the brain within the sella turcica, divided into anterior and posterior lobes.

Growth Hormone (GH)

Anterior pituitary hormone that stimulates somatic cells to grow and divide rapidly.

Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

Anterior pituitary tropic hormone that regulates thyroid gland function and hormone synthesis.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)

Anterior pituitary hormone that stimulates and regulates the adrenal cortex.

Prolactin (PRL)

Anterior pituitary hormone that stimulates mammary gland development and milk secretion following childbirth.

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

Anterior pituitary gonadotropin promoting gamete development in both genders and estrogen secretion in females.

Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Anterior pituitary gonadotropin stimulating sex hormone production in both sexes and triggering ovulation in females.

Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone (MSH)

Anterior pituitary hormone prompting cutaneous pigment cells to produce melanin.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

Posterior pituitary neurohormone promoting water reabsorption across the renal tubular epithelium.

Oxytocin

Posterior pituitary peptide causing uterine labor contractions and triggering milk ejection following childbirth.

Testes

Two oval male gonads suspended in the scrotum that produce spermatozoa and secrete testosterone.

Testosterone

Primary male sex hormone responsible for spermatogenesis and male secondary sex characteristics.

Thymus Gland

Mediastinal organ located anterior and superior to the heart that matures lymphoid immunity during infancy and childhood.

Thymosin

Polypeptide secreted by the mediastinal thymus essential for the development and maturation of newborn immunity.

Thyroid Gland

Butterfly-shaped endocrine organ on either side of the trachea and larynx that secretes $T_3$, $T_4$, and calcitonin.

Thyroxine ($T_4$)

Iodine-dependent thyroid hormone that sets basal metabolic rate and controls body energy production.

Triiodothyronine ($T_3$)

Potent thyroid hormone containing three iodine atoms that regulates cellular metabolic energy and heat production.

Calcitonin

Parafollicular thyroid hormone released during hypercalcemia that stimulates bone deposition to lower blood calcium.

acr/o

Combining form meaning extremities.

aden/o

Combining form meaning gland.

adren/o

Combining form meaning adrenal glands.

adrenal/o

Combining form meaning adrenal glands.

andr/o

Combining form meaning male.

calc/o

Combining form meaning calcium.

carcin/o

Combining form meaning cancer.

chem/o

Combining form meaning drug.

cortic/o

Combining form meaning outer layer.

crin/o

Combining form meaning to secrete.

cyt/o

Combining form meaning cell.

estr/o

Combining form meaning female.

gluc/o

Combining form meaning glucose.

glyc/o

Combining form meaning sugar.

glycos/o

Combining form meaning sugar.

gonad/o

Combining form meaning sex glands.

gynec/o

Combining form meaning female.

immun/o

Combining form meaning protection.

iod/o

Combining form meaning iodine.

kal/i

Combining form meaning potassium.

ket/o

Combining form meaning ketones.

lapar/o

Combining form meaning abdomen.

lob/o

Combining form meaning lobe.

mast/o

Combining form meaning breast.

mineral/o

Combining form meaning minerals or electrolytes.

natr/o

Combining form meaning sodium.

neur/o

Combining form meaning nerve.

ophthalm/o

Combining form meaning eye.

or/o

Combining form meaning mouth.

ovari/o

Combining form meaning ovary.

pancreat/o

Combining form meaning pancreas.

parathyroid/o

Combining form meaning parathyroid gland.

pineal/o

Combining form meaning pineal gland.

pituit/o

Combining form meaning pituitary gland.

pituitar/o

Combining form meaning pituitary gland.

radi/o

Combining form meaning ray or radiation.

retin/o

Combining form meaning retina.

somat/o

Combining form meaning body.

testicul/o

Combining form meaning testes.

thym/o

Combining form meaning thymus gland.

thyr/o

Combining form meaning thyroid gland.

thyroid/o

Combining form meaning thyroid gland.

toxic/o

Combining form meaning poison.

-al

Suffix meaning pertaining to.

-an

Suffix meaning pertaining to.

-ar

Suffix meaning pertaining to.

-ary

Suffix meaning pertaining to.

-dipsia

Suffix meaning thirst.

-ectomy

Suffix meaning surgical removal.

-edema

Suffix meaning swelling.

-emia

Suffix meaning blood condition.

-emic

Suffix meaning pertaining to a blood condition.

-graphy

Suffix meaning process of recording.

-ia

Suffix meaning condition.

-ic

Suffix meaning pertaining to.

-ism

Suffix meaning state of.

-itis

Suffix meaning inflammation.

-logy

Suffix meaning study of.

-megaly

Suffix meaning enlarged.

-meter

Suffix meaning instrument to measure.