Hormones and Calcium Homeostasis

Flashcards related to hormones and calcium homeostasis.

Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)

A hormone secreted by the parathyroid glands that increases calcium levels in the blood.

Calcitonin

A hormone secreted by the thyroid gland that decreases calcium levels in the blood.

Milk Fever

A metabolic disorder, particularly in dairy cattle, caused by calcium dysregulation, usually soon after parturition or a short period of lactation.

Hydroxyapatite

The primary mineral component of bone, composed of calcium phosphate.

Hypocalcemia

A condition characterized by low calcium levels in the blood.

Osteoblasts

Bone cells responsible for bone formation by laying down bone matrix and facilitating calcium absorption into bone.

Osteoclasts

Bone cells responsible for bone resorption, breaking down bone and releasing calcium into the bloodstream.

Adenoma

A neoplastic growth or cancer in the parathyroid gland, leading to oversecretion of parathyroid hormone.

Hypercalcemia

A condition characterized by high calcium levels in the blood.

Vitamin D

A fat-soluble vitamin that is produced in the skin upon exposure to ultraviolet light and modified in the liver and kidneys to become active, promoting calcium absorption in the intestine.