Endocrine Physiology

gland

aggregation of cells specialized for secreting or excreting materials not related to their ordinary metabolic needs

endocrine glands

ductless glands that secrete hormones into the body fluids

Secrete hormones that enter the interstitial fluid and diffuse directly into the blood

hormones

chemical messengers that are carried through the blood to their target cells

exocrine glands

secrete a variety of products into ducts, that lead to either the body surface or an internal lumen

tropic hormone

hormone that controls secretion of another hormone

trophic hormone

hormones that controls secretion of another hormone and stimulates growth of endocrine gland that secretes second hormone

hyposecretion

secretion of too little hormone

hypersecretion

secretion of too much hormone

hyporesponsiveness

decreased responsiveness of target cells to hormone

hyperresponsiveness

increased responsiveness of target cells to hormone

corticotopin (CRH)

stimulates secretion of ACTH

thyrotropin (TRH)

stimulates secretion of TSH

growth hormone (GHRH)

stimulates secretion of GH

somatostatin (SST)

inhibits secretion of GH

gonadotropin (GnRH)

stimulates secretion of LH and FSH

dopamine (DA)

inhibits secretion of prolactin