Endocrine Organs and Hormones

Flashcards covering primary and secondary endocrine organs, hypothalamic-pituitary connections, hormone classifications, and pancreatic cell types based on Principles of Human Physiology.

Primary Endocrine Organs

Structures whose main function is hormone production and secretion, such as the pituitary, thyroid, pineal, and adrenal glands.

Secondary Endocrine Organs

Organs whose main function is non-endocrine, but which produce and secrete hormones as a secondary function, such as the heart, kidneys, and liver.

Infundibulum

The tissue stalk that connects the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland.

Paraventricular nucleus

A region in the hypothalamus containing neurosecretory cells that synthesize and release antidiuretic hormone (ADH or vasopressin).

Supraoptic nucleus

A region in the hypothalamus containing neurosecretory cells that synthesize and release oxytocin.

Melatonin

A hormone secreted by the pineal gland that is inhibited during the day, secreted at night, and regulates biological rhythms according to day-night cycles.

Chromaffin cells

The secretory cells of the adrenal medulla that secrete $80BA$ epinephrine, $20BA$ norepinephrine, and small amounts of dopamine.

Islets of Langerhans

Endocrine cell clusters in the pancreas containing alpha cells (glucagon), beta cells (insulin), delta cells (somatostatin), and F cells (pancreatic polypeptide).

Acinar cells

Exocrine cells in the pancreas that produce and secrete digestive fluid and enzymes into ducts leading to the digestive tract.

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)

A hormone secreted by the heart that inhibits sodium reabsorption by the kidney tubules.