STAT111: TERMINOLOGY AND DEFINITION (FINALS)

endocrine system

regulates various body functions through the release of hormones.

Insulin

this hormone is responsible for lowering blood glucose levels by promoting the uptake of glucose into cells

Glucagon

Increases blood glucose levels by promoting the release of glucose from liver stores.

Thyroid Hormones

Regulate metabolism, heart rate, and body temperature.

Growth Hormone

Stimulates growth of bones and muscles.

Cortisol

Involved in stress response; increases blood glucose levels and suppresses the immune system.

Epinephrine (Adrenaline)

Prepares the body for 'fight or flight' response by increasing heart rate and blood flow to muscles.

Pituitary Gland

Often referred to as the "master gland"; controls other endocrine glands and releases hormones such as GH, TSH, and ACTH

Thyroid Gland

Produces hormones that regulate metabolism.

Adrenal Glands

Sit on top of the kidneys; produce hormones like cortisol, aldosterone, and epinephrine.

Pancreas

Regulates blood sugar levels through insulin and glucagon.

Parathyroid Glands

Regulate calcium levels in the blood through parathyroid hormone (PTH).

Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)

Increases blood calcium levels by stimulating bone resorption.

Calcitonin

Lowers blood calcium levels by inhibiting bone resorption

Aldosterone

Regulates sodium and potassium balance by promoting sodium retention in the kidneys.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

Reduces urine production to conserve water in the body.

Prolactin

Stimulates milk production in the mammary glands

Melatonin

Produced by the pineal gland; regulates sleep-wake cycles.

Diabetes Mellitus

Caused by insufficient insulin production (Type 1) or insulin resistance (Type 2).

Hyperthyroidism

Excess thyroid hormone production, leading to increased metabolism.

Hypothyroidism

Insufficient thyroid hormone production, leading to decreased metabolism

Cushing's Syndrome

Overproduction of cortisol, leading to weight gain, high blood pressure, and other symptoms.

Addison's Disease

Insufficient production of cortisol and aldosterone, leading to fatigue, low blood pressure, and hyperpigmentation of the skin

Stomach

the sac-like organ that secretes gastric juices and churns food to form chyme, initiating protein digestions.

Small Intestine

Part of the gastrointestinal tract where most of the end absorption of nutrients and minerals from food occurs.

Large Intestine

it is for the absorption of water and electrolytes, formation and elimination of feces

Liver

large organ that produces bile, processes nutrients, detoxifies chemicals

gallbladder

Stores and concentrates bile.

Pancreas

Produces digestive enzymes and bicarbonate, regulates blood sugar (insulin and glucagon).

Nose

Filters, warms, and humidifies air. Contains protective structures like hair and mucus.

respiratory system

Allows oxygen to enter the body and removes carbon dioxide.

Nasopharynx

Passageway for air from the nose to the larynx.

Larynx

Contains vocal cords; involved in sound production. Key structures include thyroid cartilage (Adam's apple), epiglottis, cricoid cartilage, arytenoid cartilage

Trachea (Windpipe)

Lined with pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium and goblet cells; supported by C-shaped cartilage rings

Lungs

Protected by the ribs and enclosed by pleural membranes (parietal and visceral pleura). Contains alveoli where gas exchange occurs

Ventilation

Air movement between the lungs and the atmosphere

Perfusion

Blood flow to the lungs for gas exchange.

Respiration

Exchange of gases between the lungs and blood (external respiration) and between blood and tissues (internal respiration).

Inspiration

Active process; diaphragm and external intercostals contract.

Expiration

Passive process; lung recoil expels air. Accessory muscles used during labored breathing.

Tracheal Epithelium

Ciliated cells and mucus producing goblet cells expel foreign particles

Alveolar Macrophages

Engulf and destroy foreign cells.

Alpha 1 Antitrypsin

Protects alveolar walls from enzymatic destruction.

Surfactant

Reduces surface tension in alveoli, preventing collapse.

alveoli

Functional units for gas exchange.

bronchi

Main air passageways leading from the trachea to the lungs

Bronchioles

Smaller subdivisions of the bronchi

Epiglottis

Prevents food from entering the trachea

Intrapleural Pressure

Assists with lung expansion.

Pharynx

Throat; passageway for air and food

Tidal Volume

Amount of air inhaled and exhaled during quiet breathing.

Kidneys

Filter blood to remove waste products and excess substances.

Regulate blood pressure, electrolyte balance, and red blood cell production.

Convert vitamin D to its active form

Ureters

Transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder

Bladder

Store urine until it is excreted.

Urethra

Conduct urine from the bladder to the outside of the body

Nephron

The functional unit of the kidney, and each kidney contains over a million of this

Glomerulus

A ball of capillaries where blood filtration begins

Bowman's Capsule

Surrounds the glomerulus; captures the filtrate.

Proximal Convoluted Tubule

Reabsorbs nutrients, water, and electrolytes.

Loop of Henle

Concentrates urine by reabsorbing water and salts.

Distal Convoluted Tubule

Further adjusts the composition of urine.

Collecting Duct

Collects urine from multiple nephrons and transports it to the renal pelvis

Aldosterone

Promotes sodium retention in the distal convoluted tubule.

Helps regulate blood pressure and electrolyte balance.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

Promotes water reabsorption in the collecting ducts.

Conserves body water and regulates urine concentration.

renin

Produced by the kidneys in response to low blood pressure.

Sinoatrial (SA) Node

Functions as the heart's pacemaker by initiating the heartbeat.

Depolarization

Initial phase where the heart muscle cells become electrically active

Plateau

Caused by the opening of Ca2+ channels, prolonging the action potential.

Repolarization

Occurs with the closing of Ca2+ channels and opening of K+ channels

p wave

components of electrocardiogram (ECG) represents the atrial depolarization

qrs complex

components of electrocardiogram (ECG) represents the ventricular depolarization

t wave

components of electrocardiogram (ECG) represents the ventricular repolarization

Baroreceptor Reflex

• Maintains blood pressure by adjusting heart rate and stroke volume based on blood pressure changes.

diastole

a cardiac cycle phase wherein ventricles fill with blood

Systole

a cardiac cycle phase wherein ventricles contract to pump blood

Atrioventricular (AV) Node

Delays the action potential to ensure ventricles fill properly before contracting.

erythropoietin

a hormone released by the kidneys in response to low oxygen levels.

hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells

Erythropoiesis (Red Blood Cell Production)

occurs in red bone marrow and is stimulated by erythropoietin

Red Blood Cells (RBCs)

Carry oxygen; lifespan of 100-120 days.

White Blood Cells (WBCs or Leukocytes)

Protect against infections

Platelets

Aid in blood clotting

Vascular Spasm

Immediate constriction of a blood vessel following injury

Platelet Plug Formation

Platelets adhere to the injury site and become sticky

Coagulation

Formation of a fibrin mesh to stabilize the clot.

Leukopoiesis (White Blood Cell Production)

Stimulated by colony-stimulating factors released by macrophages.

Thrombopoietin

Regulates platelet production.

Erythropoietin

Regulates red blood cell production.

Testes

Produce sperm and testosterone

Epididymis

Stores and matures sperm

Vas Deferens

Transports sperm from the epididymis to the urethra.

Seminal Vesicles and Prostate Gland

Produce seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.

Penis

Delivers sperm into the female reproductive tract.

Ovaries

Produce eggs (ova) and hormones (estrogen and progesterone).

Fallopian Tubes

Transport eggs from the ovaries to the uterus; site of fertilization

Uterus

Houses and nourishes the developing fetus