Medical Terminology Ch 18 Endocrine System Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the organs, hormones, and anatomical terms of the endocrine system as presented in Chapter 18.

Adrenal cortex

The outer section of each adrenal gland (kidneys); it secretes cortisol, aldosterone, and sex hormones (steroids and corticosteroids).

Adrenal medulla

The inner section of each adrenal gland; it secretes catecholamines, including epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline).

Ovaries

Located in the lower abdomen of a female; responsible for egg production and estrogen and progesterone secretion.

Pancreas

Located behind the stomach; islet (alpha and beta) cells secrete hormones. It also contains exocrine cells that secrete enzymes via a duct into the small intestine to aid digestion. It is located at the level of the $1^{st}$ and $2^{nd}$ lumbar vertebrae.

Parathyroid glands

Four small glands (some people may have three or five) located on the posters of the thyroid glands; they secrete parathormone (PTH).

Pituitary gland

Also called the hypophysis, it is a small pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain in the sel la turcica. It weighs $\frac{1}{16}\,ounce$ and is $\frac{1}{2}\,inch$ across. It consists of an anterior lobe (adenohypophysis) and a posterior lobe (neurohypophysis).

Testes

Two glands enclosed in the scrotal same of a male; responsible for sperm production and testosterone secretion.

Thyroid gland

Located in the neck on either side of the trachea; secretes throne (thyroxine), triiodothyronine ($T3$), and calcitonin.

Aldosterone

A mineralocorticoid secreted by the adrenal cortex; it increases salt reabsorption by the kidneys and regulates blood pressure.

Androgen

Male hormone secreted by the testes and to a lesser extent by the adrenal cortex; testosterone is an example.

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

Also called vasopressin; secreted by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland. It increases reabsorption of water by the kidney and raises blood pressure.

Calcitonin

Secreted by the thyroid gland; it DECREASES blood calcium levels.

Cortisol

A glucocorticoid secreted by the adrenal cortex; it increases blood sugar (glucose), is secreted in times of stress, and has an anti-inflammatory effect.

Epinephrine (adrenaline)

A catecholamine secreted by the adrenal medulla; it increases heart rate and blood pressure and dilates airways (sympathomimetic). It is part of the body's 'fight or flight' reaction.

Estradiol

An estrogen secreted by the ovaries responsible for female sexual characteristics.

Estrogen

Female hormone secreted by the ovaries and the adrenal cortex; examples include estradiol and estrone.

Fol licle-stimulating hor- mone (FSH)

A gonadotropin secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland; it stimulates egg production by the ovaries and sperm production by the testes.

Glucagon

Secreted by alpha islet cells of the pancreas; it INCREASES blood sugar by the conversion of glycogen (starch) to glucose.

Growth hormone (GH)

Also called somatotropin; secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. It stimulates growth of bones and soft tissues.

Insulin

Secreted by beta islet cells of the pancreas; it helps glucose pass into cells, promotes the conversion of glucose to glycogen, and lowers blood sugar.

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

A gonadotropin secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland; it stimulates ovulation in females and testosterone secretion in males.

Norepinephrine

secreted by the adrenal medulla to increase heart rate and blood pressure. It is a sympathomimetic agent.

Oxytocin (OT)

Secreted by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland; it stimulates contraction of the uterus during childbirth (labor).

Parathormone (PTH)

Secreted by the parathyroid glands; it INCREASES blood calcium.

Progesterone

Secreted by the ovaries; it prepares the uterus for pregnancy and maintains pregnancy.

Prolactin (PRL)

Secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland; it promotes milk secretion.

Testosterone

Male hormone secreted by the testes responsible for male sexual characteristics.

Thyroid-stimulating hor- mone (TSH)

Also called thyrotropin; secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. It acts on the thyroid gland to promote its functioning.

Thyroxin (T4)

Also called tetraiodothyronine; secreted by the thyroid gland to increase metabolism in cells.

Triiodothyronine (T3)

Secreted by the thyroid gland; it increases metabolism in cells.

Catecholamnines

Hormones derived from an amino acid and secreted by the adrenal medulla; examples include epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Corticosteroids

Hormones (steroids) produced by the adrenal cortex including cortisol, aldosterone, androgens, and estrogens.

Electrolyte

Mineral salt found in the blood and tissues necessary for proper cell functioning; examples are potassium, sodium, and calcium.

Glucocorticoid

Steroid hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex that regulates glucose, fat, and protein metabolism.

Homeostasis

The tendency of an organism to maintain a constant internal environment (balance).

Hormone

Chemical secreted by an endocrine gland that travels through the blood to influence the structure or function of a distant organ or gland.

Hypothalamus

Region of the brain lying below the thalamus and above the pituitary gland; it secretes releasing factors and hormones that affect the pituitary gland.

Mineralocorticoid

Steroid hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex to regulate mineral salts (electrolytes) and water balance in the body.

Receptor

Cellular or nuclear protein that binds to a hormone so that a response can be elicited.

Sel la turcica

Cavity at the base of the skull that contains the pituitary gland.

Sex hormones

Steroids (androgens and estrogens) produced by the adrenal cortex to influence sexual characteristics.

Steroid

Complex substance related to fats (derived from sterol, such as cholesterol), of which many hormones are made.

Sympathomimetic

Pertaining to mimicking or copying the effect of the sympathetic nervous system; adrenaline is an example.

Target tissue

Cells of an organ that are affected or stimulated by specific hormones.

Endocrine glands

Glands that secrete hormones DIRECTLY into the blood stream, such as the thyroid, adrenal, and pituitary glands.

Exocrine glands

Glands that send chemical substances via ducts to the outside of the body, such as lacrimal, salivary, and mammary glands.

Pineal gland

Located in the central portion of the brain; it secretes melatonin.

Melatonin

Secreted by the pineal gland; it supports the body's 'biologic clock' and is thought to induce sleep.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

A condition where a person suffers from depression in winter months.

Master gland

A name for the pituitary gland because it makes hormones that control several other endocrine glands.

Myxedema

advanced hypothyroidism in adulthood

Adrenaline (Epinephrine)

secreted by the adrenal medulla; increases heart rate and blood pressure.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)

secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland regulates the body's production of cortisol, the primary "stress hormone"

Aldosterone

secreted by the adrenal cortex; increases salt (sodium) reabsorption.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

secreted by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland. ADH (vasopressin) increases reabsorption of water by the kidney.

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland; stimulates ovulation in females and testosterone secretion in males.

Parathormone (PTH)

secreted by the parathyroid glands; increases blood calcium.

Somatotropin

secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland; growth hormone.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. TSH acts on the thyroid gland to promote its functioning.

Catecholamines

hormones derived from an amino acid and secreted by the adrenal medulla

Corticosteroids

hormones (steroids) produced by the adrenal cortex.

Homeostasis

tendency of an organism to maintain a constant internal environment.

Hypothalamus

it secretes releasing factors and hormones that affect the pituitary gland.

Receptor

cellular or nuclear protein that binds to a hormone so that a response can be elicited.

Sella turcica

cavity at the base of the skull; contains the pituitary gland.

Sympathomimetic

copying the effect of the sympathetic nervous system

Target Tissue

cells of an organ that are affected or stimulated by specific hormones

somat/o

body

ster/o

solid

-agon

assemble

oxy-

sharp, acid

Goiter

wide neck, indicating enlargement of the thyroid gland

Adrenal Virilism

excessive secretion of adrenal androgens.

Cushing Syndrome

group of signs and symptoms produced by excess cortisol from the adrenal cortex.

Addison Disease

hypofunctioning of the adrenal cortex - excessive amount of MSH is secreted, pigmentation of the skin is increased

Pheochromocytoma

benign tumor of the adrenal medulla

Diabetes Mellitus (DM)

lack of insulin secretion or resistance of insulin in promoting sugar, starch, and fat metabolism in cells.

Type 1 Diabetes

autoimmune disease

Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM)

track glucose levels throughout the day and night and communicate with the insulin pump to deliver insulin as need

Type 2 Diabetes

deficiency of insulin secretion with a resistance by target tissues to insulin

Acromegaly

hypersecretion of growth hormone from the anterior pituitary after puberty, leading to enlargement of extremities

Panhypopituitarism

deficiency of all pituitary hormones.

Syndrome of Inappropriate ADH (SIADH)

excessive secretion of antidiuretic hormone

Diabetes Insipidus (DI)

insufficient secretion of antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin)

Serum and Urine Tests

measurement of hormones, electrolytes, glucose, and other substances in serum (blood) and urine as indicators of endocrine function.

Thyroid Scan

scanner detects radioactivity and visualizes the thyroid gland.

Cretinism

congenital condition associated with extreme hypothyroidism and characterized by dwarfism and intellectual disability.

Tetany

constant muscle contraction

FBS

blood test to determine the amount of glucose in the blood

Thyroid Scan

nuclear medicine test that shows the size, shape, and function of the thyroid gland

Ketoacidosis

diabetes mellitus where fats are improperly burned: