Medical Terms

Parathyroid Glands

four small glands that secrete to regulate the body’s calcium levels

Thyroid Gland

regulates the body’s metabolism

Pineal Gland

secretes melatonin, which helps control your circadian rhythm

Thymus Gland

secretes thymosin, an instrumental hormone in the production and maturation of T-lmphocytes, or T-cells

Adrenal Gland

controls the body’s electrolyte levels

Cortisol

an adrenal cortex hormone; helps regulate metabolism and also has anti-inflammatory action

Aldosterone

an adrenal cortex hormone; keeps the electrolyte balance within normal limits

Androgens

n adrenal cortex hormone; releases small amounts of male and female sex hormones

Epinephrine

an adrenal medulla hormone; aka adrenaline; helps you deal with physical and emotional stress

Norepinephrine

an adrenal medulla hormone; works with epinephrine in responding to stress

Pituitary Gland

aka Master Gland; its hormones sends signals to other endocrine glands to stimulate or inhabit their own hormone production

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

an anterior lobe hormone; Stimulates the adrenal glands to produce hormones

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

an anterior lobe hormone; ensures normal functioning of the ovaries and testes

Growth Hormone (GH)

an anterior lobe hormone; Aids the growth of healthy bone and muscle mass

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

an anterior lobe hormone; Works with FSH to ensure normal functioning of the ovaries and testes

Prolactin

an anterior lobe hormone; Stimulates production of breast milk after childbirth

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

an anterior lobe hormone; Stimulates the thyroid gland to produce hormones

Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)

an anterior lobe hormone; increases the production of melanin, causing darkening of the skin pigmentation

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

a posterior lobe hormone; helps control blood pressure by prompting the kidneys to reduce the amount of water excreted

Oxytocin

a posterior lobe hormone; Stimulates contraction of the uterus during childbirth and stimulates breast milk production

Hypothalamus

a region of the brain that controls the pituitary gland and an immense number of other bodily functions

Pancreas

produces hormones, most notably insulin, to maintain the balance of blood glucose and salt in the body

Insulin

moves glucose from the blood into the cells for energy, dropping blood glucose levels

Glucagon

Works in the opposite way of insulin by stimulating the cells to release glucose; blood glucose levels

Ovaries

produce and release progesterone and estrogen

Testes

secrete testosterone

Acromegaly

a rare hormonal disorder characterized by enlarged hands and feet caused by the excessive secretion of growth hormone after puberty

Gigantism

Abnormal growth of the entire body caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone before puberty

Hyperpituitarism

the excess secretion of growth hormone that causes both acromegaly and gigantism

Hypopituitarism

a condition in which the pituitary gland does not produce growth hormone

Diabetes insipidus

An imbalance of fluids in the body, leading to extreme thirst and frequent urination that is caused by an insufficient production of the antidiuretic hormone ADH or by the inability of the kidneys to respond appropriately to this hormone

Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH)

Bloating and water retention that can dilute the blood, causing electrolyte imbalances, particularly hyponatremia, caused by overproduction of the anti-diuretic hormone ADH

Pinealoma

a tumor of the pineal gland that can disrupt the production of melatonin, causing insomnia

Hypothyroidism

a deficiency of thyroid secretion

Hashimoto’s disease

an autoimmune disease in which the body’s own antibodies attack and destroy the cells of the thyroid gland, often causing hypothyroidism

Myxedema

an extreme deficiency of thyroid secretion

Hyperthyroidism

the overproduction of thyroid hormones

Graves’ disease

A disorder of unknown cause in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland and stimulates it to make excessive amounts of thyroid hormone

Goiter

An abnormal, benign enlargement of the thyroid gland

Exophthalmos

An abnormal protrusion of the eyeball out of the orbit

Thyroid storm

A relatively rare, life-threatening condition caused by exaggerated hyperthyroidism

Hyperparathyroidism

The overproduction of the parathyroid hormone, causes the condition known as hypercalcemia

Hypoparathyroidism

Insufficient or absent secretion of the parathyroid hormone, often causing hypocalcemia

Hypercalcemia

Abnormally high concentrations of calcium circulating in the blood instead of being stored in the bones and teeth

Hypocalcemia

Abnormally low levels of calcium in the blood

Insulinoma

a benign tumor of the pancreas that secretes additional insulin, causing hypoglycemia

Pancreatitis

inflammation of the pancreas

Hyperglycemia

Excessive glucose levels in the blood

Hypoglycemia

Abnormally low concentration of glucose (sugar) in the blood

Polydipsia

Excessive thirst

Polyphagia

Excessive hunger

Polyuria

Excessive urination

Type 1 diabetes mellitus

Autoimmune insulin deficiency disorder caused by the destruction of pancreatic islet beta cells

Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Insulin resistance disorder

Addison’s disease

Occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough of the hormones cortisol or aldosterone

Adrenalitis

Inflammation of one or both of the adrenal glands

Aldosteronism

Abnormality of the electrolyte balance that is caused by the excessive secretion of aldosterone

Cushing’s syndrome

Disorder caused by prolonged exposure to high levels of cortisol

Hypergonadism

the condition of excessive secretion of hormones by the sex glands

Hypogonadism

Deficient secretion of hormones by the sex glands

Gynecomastia

Excessive mammary development in the male

Thyroid-stimulating hormone assay

a diagnostic test to measure the circulating blood level of TSH

Thyroid scan

a form of nuclear medicine that measures thyroid function

Fasting blood sugar test

Measures the blood glucose levels after the patient has not eaten for eight to 12 hours

Home blood-glucose monitoring

Measures the current blood-glucose level using a drop of blood

Continuous blood-glucose monitoring

Method of tracking glucose levels 24 hours a day through a tiny sensor inserted under the skin on the abdomen or arm

Hemoglobin A1C

Blood test that measures the average blood glucose level over the previous three to four months

Hypophysectomy

Surgical removal of the pituitary gland

Thyroid lobectomy

surgical removal of one lobe of the thyroid gland

Thyroid replacement therapy

the use of oral synthetic thyroid hormones to replace lost thyroid function

Parathyroidectomy

surgical removal of one or more of the parathyroid glands

Thymectomy

surgical removal of the thymus gland

Pancreatectomy

surgical removal of part or all of the pancreas

Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy

Minimally invasive surgical procedure to remove one or both of the adrenal glands

Cortisone

Synthetic equivalent of corticosteroids produced by the adrenal glands