Chapter 4 Glossary Terms #1 Flashcards
adrenaline
A hormone secreted by the adrenal glands during an emergency response
androgens
male hormones
calcitonin
a hormone that regulates absorption of calcium and vit D
circadian rhythm
the daily biochemical patterns of the body
corpus luteum
a temporary endocrine structure that develops from the ovarian follicle during the menstrual cycle; it is essential to establishing and maintaining pregnancy
corticoids
steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex
cortisol
a major steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex, often called the stress hormone; it increases blood pressure and blood sugar levels and suppresses the immune system.
diabetes
a disease that results when the pancreas does not secrete enough insulin.
endometrium
inner membrane of the uterus
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that causes the development of the egg or ovum
formication
an itching and tingling feeling of the skin experienced by some women during menopause
glucocorticoids
steroid hormones that help regulate blood sugar
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the thyroid so that it cannot function properly
hormone receptors (receptor sites)
structures on the cell membrane that receive and accept hormones and, in turn, produce other biochemicals that cause or stimulate different functions in the cells.
hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
methods used to administer female hormones to control or prevent symptoms of menopause. HRT may also help prevent skin changes or osteoporosis in women.
hyperthyroidism
a condition in which the thyroid gland secretes too much thyroid hormone
hypothalamus
a gland that manufactures hormones that stimulate the pituitary gland to make other hormones.
hypothyroidism
a condition in which the thyroid gland secretes too little thyroid hormone
linea nigra
a line of pigmentation that develops during pregnancy between the lower chest and the genital area.
luteinizing hormone (LH)
a hormone that causes ovulation or the release of the egg from the ovary. It also causes testes to manufacture testosterone
melatonin
a specialized hormone secreted by the pineal gland that helps regulate the body’s responses to different levels of light, and therefore circadian rhythms of the body.
menarche
the first menstrual period
menopause
the time in a woman’s life when the ovaries stop producing eggs.
menstruation
the process by which the female body rids itself of an unused ovum and the accompanying endometrium.
mineralcorticoids
steroid hormones that help regulate blood minerals
myxedema
a hyperthyroid condition in which the skin on the shin becomes thick red-brown with a bumpy texture
nerohormones
hormones secreted by the hypothalamus that control many pituitary hormone secretions
parathyroid gland
the gland responsible for regulating calcium and phosphates in the bloodstream
perimenopause
the time before and around menopause
PCOS
Polycystic ovarian syndrome
a hormonal disorder in women caused by excessive presence of androgens; it may induce irregular periods and obesity, but also esthetic symptoms such as unwanted excessive facial and body hair and nonresponsive acne.
PMS
premenstrual syndrome
a condition in which some women experience uncomfortable physical changes before menstruation
progesterone
a hormone that helps prepare the uterus for pregnancy and is an important hormone in the menstrual cycle
progestin
a synthetic version of progesterone used in mini-pills for birth control
puberty
the stage in life when physical changes occur in both sexes and when sexual function of the sex glands begins to take place
relaxin
a hormone manufactured by the ovaries that helps enlarge the pelvic opening during childbirth
secreted
synthesized or released by various cells or organs
steroids
very small hormone molecules that penetrate cell membranes
striae distensae
stretch marks that commonly occur during pregnancy
testosterone
the male hormone responsible for development of typical male characteristics
thymus gland
a gland located under the breastbone in the chest; it secretes hormones and helps trigger synthesis of more lymph tissue
thyrotoxicosis
the group of clinical symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism
