Endocrine Hormone Flashcards

Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

Gland: Anterior Pituitary | Target: Thyroid gland | Function: Stimulates thyroid to release thyroxine.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)

Gland: Anterior Pituitary | Target: Adrenal cortex | Function: Stimulates adrenal cortex to release cortical hormones.

Human Growth Hormone (hGH)

Gland: Anterior Pituitary | Target: Most cells (bones/muscles) | Function: Promotes overall body growth and protein synthesis.

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

Gland: Anterior Pituitary | Target: Ovaries, testes | Function: Stimulates egg development (ovaries) and sperm production (testes).

Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Gland: Anterior Pituitary | Target: Ovaries, testes | Function: Triggers ovulation/corpus luteum (females) and testosterone production (males).

Prolactin (PRL)

Gland: Anterior Pituitary | Target: Mammary glands | Function: Promotes milk production and lactation.

Oxytocin

Gland: Posterior Pituitary | Target: Uterus, mammary glands | Function: Triggers uterine contractions during childbirth and milk ejection.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH / Vasopressin)

Gland: Posterior Pituitary | Target: Kidneys | Function: Increases water reabsorption by making nephrons more porous.

Thyroxine (T4)

Gland: Thyroid gland | Target: Most body cells | Function: Regulates body metabolism, growth, and tissue differentiation.

Calcitonin

Gland: Thyroid gland | Target: Bones and kidneys | Function: Lowers blood calcium by inhibiting bone breakdown and kidney reabsorption.

Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)

Gland: Parathyroid glands | Target: Bones, intestines, kidneys | Function: Raises blood calcium levels (antagonistic to calcitonin).

Glucocorticoids (Cortisol)

Gland: Adrenal cortex | Target: Most body cells | Function: Long-term stress response; increases blood amino acids and glucose.

Mineralocorticoids (Aldosterone)

Gland: Adrenal cortex | Target: Kidneys | Function: Increases sodium ($Na^+$) and water reabsorption to raise blood pressure.

Epinephrine & Norepinephrine

Gland: Adrenal medulla | Target: Various organs (heart, liver) | Function: Short-term "fight or flight" response and increased blood sugar.

Insulin

Gland: Pancreas (Beta cells) | Target: Liver and body cells | Function: Lowers blood sugar by promoting cellular uptake and glucose-to-glycogen conversion.

Glucagon

Gland: Pancreas (Alpha cells) | Target: Liver | Function: Raises blood sugar by stimulating glycogen-to-glucose conversion.

Estrogen & Progesterone

Gland: Ovaries (& uterus) | Target: Female reproductive system | Function: Regulate menstrual cycle, support pregnancy, and develop female secondary-sex characteristics.

Testosterone

Gland: Testes | Target: Male reproductive system | Function: Stimulates sperm production (spermatogenesis) and male secondary sex characteristics.