Endocrine System Definitions, Abbreviations, and Root Words

Glands

Organs that secrete or release hormones into the bloodstream

Hormones

Chemical substances secreted from glands that travel through blood to tissues/organs to transfer information and instruction from one area to another

Endocrinology

Study of the endocrine system, subspecialty of internal medicine

Pituitary Gland Location and Key Characteristic

Located in the base of the brain; master gland that regulates other endocrine glands

Pineal Gland Location, Hormones Secreted, and Function

Located in the brain; Secretes melatonin and serotonin; regulates sleep

Thyroid Location, Hormones Secreted (3), and Influence (3)

Located in the neck anterior to the trachea; secretes T3, T4, and Calcitonin; influences metabolism, growth, and development

Parathyroid Location, Hormone Secreted, and Function

Located in the neck on the thyroid gland; Secretes parathyroid hormone; maintains calcium and phosphate levels

Pancreas Location, Contents, and Endocrine Regulation

Located in the epigastric region of the abdomen; contains the islets of langerhans, which regulate blood glucose

Adrenal Glands Location, Hormone Secreted, and Regulation

Located in the abdomen above the kidney; secretes sex hormones and epinephrine in emergencies; regulate sodium and potassium, and carbohydrate metabolism

Ovaries Location, Hormone Secreted, and Influence

Located in the pelvis; secrets estrogen and progesterone; influences female secondary sexual characteristics

Testes Location, Hormone Secreted, and Influence

Located in the pelvis; secretes testosterone; influences male secondary sexual characteristics

Thymus Gland Location, Hormones Secreted (2), and System Regulated

Located in the mediastinum anterior to the heart; secretes thymosin and thymopoietin; Regulates immune system

Adenohypophysis Location and Hormones Secreted (7)

Anterior portion of the pituitary gland; secretes “All The Gay Men Lean Forward, Please” Adrenocorticotropin Hormone, Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone, Growth Hormone, Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone, Luteinizing Hormone, Follicle-Stimulating Hormone, and Prolactin Hormone

Adrenocorticotropin Hormone (ACTH) Function

Regulates the growth of the adrenal cortex

Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) Function

Stimulates growth of the thyroid gland

Growth Hormone (GH) Function

Regulates the growth and development of the bones, muscles, and other organs

Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone Function

Controls skin pigmentation

Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Function

Control the sex glands in males and females

Prolactin Hormone Function

Stimulates the growth and development of mammary glands

Neurohypophysis Location and Hormones Secreted (2)

Posterior portion of the Pituitary gland; secretes Antidiuretic hormone and oxytocin

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) Function

Regulates the secretion or re absorption of water in the kidneys

Oxytocin Functions (2)

Stimulates the uterus to contract during childbirth and the release of milk from the mammary glands

Melatonin Function

Regulates sleep-wake cycle

Serotonin Function

Stimulates the nervous system through the regulation of neurotransmitters, smooth muscles, and gastric secretions

Thyroxine (T4) Functions (3)

Maintains and regulates BMR, growth and development, and metabolism of nutrients, water, vitamins, and minerals

Triiodothyronine (T3) Function

Regulates BMR

Calcitonin Function

Metabolism of bone and calcium

Acr/o

Extremity, point

Aden/o

Gland

Adren/o, Adrenal/o

Adrenal Gland

Crin/o

To Secrete

Gluc/o

Sugar, sweet, glucose

Hirsut/o

Hairy

Hydr/o

Water

Myx/o

Mucus

Pancreat/o

Pancreas

Parathyroid/o

Parathyroid Gland

Pituitar/o

Pituitary Gland

Thym/o

Thymus

Thyr/o, Thyroid/o

Thyroid Gland

Toxic/o

Poison

Acromegaly

Enlargement of the bones of the face, jaw, and extremities

Adenoma

Tumor of a gland

Albuminuria

Urinary excretion of protein

Endocrinologist

Physician specializing in the endocrine system, handling diagnoses and treatments

Euthyroid

Normal activity of the thyroid gland

Exocrine

Pertains to a gland that secretes into ducts

Exophthalmic

An abnormal condition where the eyeballs protrude

Gigantism

Pathologic condition of being abnormally large

Glandular

Pertaining to a gland

Glycosuria

Urinary excretion of glucose

Hirsutism

Abnormal condition with excessive growth of hair

Hypergonadism

Excessive secretion of the sex glands

Hypogonadism

Deficient secretion of the sex glands

Hypoparathyroidism

Deficient secretion of parathyroid gland

Ketonuria

Urinary excretion of ketones

Myxedema

Condition of mucus swelling due to severe hypothyroidism and if left untreated can cause coma and death

Polydipsia

Condition of excessive thirst

Polyphagia

Condition of excessive eating

Polyuria

Excessive urination

Thyroidectomy

Surgical excision of the thyroid gland

Thyroiditis

Inflammation of the thyroid gland

Thyrotoxicosis

Condition of toxic over secretion of hormones from the thyroid gland

BG

Blood Glucose

BMR

Basal Metabolic Rate

DI

Diabetes Insipidus

DM

Diabetes Mellitus

FBS

Fasting Blood Sugar

GTT

Glucose Tolerance Test

HRT

Hormone Replacement Therapy

IDDM

Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

NIDDM

Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

TFT

Thyroid Function Test

Hyperglycemia

Elevated blood glucose levels

Hypoglycemia

Deficient blood glucose levels