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Endocrine gland
Gland that secretes hormones directly into the bloodstream.
Hormone
Chemical messenger sent to many parts of the body to produce a specific effect on a target cell or organ.
Endocrine system
In vertebrates, system that works in parallel with the nervous system to maintain homeostasis by releasing chemical hormones from various glands; composed of the hormone- producing glands and tissues of the body.
Tropic hormone
Hormone that targets endocrine glands and stimulates them to release other hormones.
Posterior Pituitary
Posterior lobe of the pituitary gland; an endocrine gland that stores and releases antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and oxytocin, which are produced in the hypothalamus and transferred to the posterior pituitary by neuronal axons
Anterior Pituitary
Anterior lobe of the pituitary gland; an endocrine gland that synthesizes and secretes six major hormones: human growth hormone (hGH), prolactin (PRL), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH).
Human Growth Hormone (hGH)
Hormone that ultimately affects almost every body tissue, by direct stimulation or via tropic effects; stimulates the liver to secrete hormones called growth factors, which, along with hGH, influence many physiological processes.
Thyroid gland
Butterfly-shaped gland located below the larynx in the neck; produces the hormone thyroxine; helps regulate metabolism and growth.
Thyroxine (T4)
Hormone produced by the thyroid and released into the bloodstream; controls the rate at which the body metabolizes fats, proteins, and carbohydrates for energy.
Hypothyroidism
Condition resulting when the thyroid produces extremely low levels of thyroxine
Hyperthyroidism
Condition resulting when the thyroid produces extremely high levels of thyroxine.
Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
A hormone released by the anterior pituitary which causes the thyroid gland to secrete thyroxine; controlled by a negative feedback mechanism.
Goitre
Enlargement of the thyroid gland characterized by a large swelling in the throat, often associated with a deficiency of iodine.
Adrenal gland
One of a pair of organs located on top of the kidneys; composed of two layers: an outer cortex and an inner medulla; each layer produces different hormones and functions as an independent organ.
Adrenal medulla
The inner layer of the adrenal glands that produces epinephrine and norepinephrine, hormones that regulate the short-term stress response.
Epinephrine
Hormone produced by the adrenal cortex that helps regulate the short-term stress response; also known as adrenaline
Short-term stress response
The body’s acute reaction to stress in which the sympathetic nervous system is stimulated; also known as fight-or-flight response.
Adrenal cortex
Outer layer of the adrenal glands that produces glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids, hormones that regulate the long-term stress response; also secretes a small amount of gonadocorticoids
Long-term stress response
Sustained physiological response to stressors, characterized by increases in blood glucose and blood pressure, and decrease in inflammatory response; regulated by hormones produced by the adrenal cortex
Cortisol
A type of glucocorticoid hormone released by the adrenal cortex of the adrenal gland in a long-term stress response; triggers an increase in blood glucose levels and reduces inflammation.
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
A hormone synthesized by the anterior pituitary gland to target the adrenal cortex and regulate the production of glucocorticoids.
Aldosterone
A type of mineralocorticoid hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex.
Pancreas
Small gland in the abdomen that secretes digestive enzymes into the small intestine; also secretes the hormone insulin.
Islets of Langerhans
Cluster of endocrine cells found throughout the pancreas, consisting of glucagon-producing alpha cells and insulin-producing beta cells.
Beta Cell
Cells of the pancreas that secrete insulin to decrease the level of blood glucose.
Alpha Cell
Cells of the pancreas that secrete glucagon to increase the level of blood glucose.
Insulin
A hormone secreted by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas to make target cells more permeable to glucose; enables the body to use sugar and other carbohydrates.
Glucagon
Hormone produced by the alpha cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas to stimulate the liver to convert glycogen back into glucose, which is released into the blood.
Diabetes mellitus
A serious chronic condition that results when the pancreas does not make enough insulin or the body does not respond properly to insulin; levels of blood glucose tend to rise sharply after meals (hyperglycemia) and remain at significantly elevated levels.
Hyperglycemia
Condition resulting from high levels of blood glucose; occurs in individuals with diabetes mellitus.
Gonad
Organ that produces reproductive cells (gametes); the ovary produces eggs (ova), and the testes produce sperm.
Sex hormone
One of several chemical compounds that control the development and function of the reproductive system or secondary sex characteristics.
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
Hormone that acts on the anterior pituitary gland to cause it to release two different sex hormones: luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle- stimulating hormone (FSH).
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Reproductive hormone that stimulates the development of the sex organs and gamete production in males and females.
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Reproductive hormone that triggers ovulation, stimulates the formation of the corpus luteum, and stimulates estrogen production in the ovaries.
Inhibin
Hormone that acts on the anterior pituitary to inhibit the production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH); produces a negative feedback loop that controls the rate of sperm formation.
Testosterone
Reproductive hormone that stimulates the development of the male reproductive tract and secondary sex characteristics; only minor effects in females.
Andropause
In men, a gradual decline in their testosterone level beginning around age 40; symptoms include fatigue, depression, loss of muscle and bone mass, and a drop in sperm production.
Estrogen
Female sex hormone produced in the ovary; helps maintain sexual organs and secondary sexual characteristics.
Progesterone
Female sex hormone produced first by the corpus luteum of the ovary to prepare the uterus for the fertilized egg (ovum), and later by the placenta to maintain pregnancy.
Menstrual cycle
In a human female, period of 20–45 days during which hormones stimulate the development of the uterine lining, and an egg (ovum) is developed and released from an ovary.
Menopause
Period in a woman’s life during which a decrease in estrogen and progesterone results in an end of menstrual cycles, usually occurring around age 50.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
Administration of low levels of estrogen and/or progesterone to alleviate symptoms of menopause in females.