Review of the Human Endocrine and Cardiovascular Systems

Flashcards covering key vocabulary terms related to the endocrine system, hormones, cardiovascular system, and related functions.

Gland

Cells or organs that produce secretions for use in the body.

Exocrine Gland

Glands that use ducts to transport secretions such as tears, milk, sweat, saliva, and digestive enzymes.

Endocrine Gland

Glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream without using ducts.

Hormones

Chemical messengers that regulate activities of various body organs, released in one part of the body to regulate metabolic activities elsewhere.

Amino Acid Based Hormones

Hormones that bind to specific receptors outside the cell and include amine hormones, peptide hormones, and protein hormones.

Lipid Based Hormones

Hormones that travel through the blood covered in proteins and bind to specific receptors inside the cell.

Feedback Loop

Mechanism that regulates hormone secretion in response to various stimuli.

Humoral Stimulus

When a hormone is released in response to changes in blood or body fluids, such as high salt levels triggering insulin secretion.

Hormonal Stimulus

Hormone release in response to the action of another hormone.

Neural Stimulus

Hormone release triggered directly by neural activity, as seen in the fight-or-flight response.

Hypothalamus

The main control center linking the endocrine and nervous systems, producing releasing and inhibitory hormones.

Anterior Pituitary

Part of the pituitary gland that produces hormones like FSH, LH, TSH, and ACTH, stimulated by releasing hormones from the hypothalamus.

Posterior Pituitary

Part of the pituitary gland that stores hormones like ADH and oxytocin produced by the hypothalamus.

Thyroid Gland

Gland in the neck that produces thyroxine and calcitonin, regulating metabolism and calcium levels in blood.

Adrenal Gland

Gland located atop the kidneys that produces hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline.

Insulin

Hormone produced by beta cells in the pancreas that lowers blood glucose levels.

Glucagon

Hormone produced by alpha cells in the pancreas that raises blood glucose levels.

Ovaries

Female gonads that produce estrogen and progesterone, regulated by FSH and LH.

Testes

Male gonads that produce testosterone, stimulated by LH.

Hemostasis

The process of blood clotting to stop bleeding.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Leukocytes

White blood cells involved in immune responses.

Thrombocytes

Platelets involved in blood clotting.

Plasma

The fluid portion of blood containing water, electrolytes, and proteins.

Cardiac Cycle

The sequence of events during one heartbeat, including contraction (systole) and relaxation (diastole) phases.

Sinoatrial Node

The pacemaker of the heart located in the right atrium that initiates contractions.

Autonomic Nervous System

The part of the nervous system that regulates involuntary physiological functions, including heart rate.

Vasoconstriction

The narrowing of blood vessels to increase blood pressure.

Vasodilation

The widening of blood vessels to decrease blood pressure.