endocrine Flashcards
testes
the male reproductive gland that is responsible for producing sperm and making androgens, primarily. Testosterone levels are controlled by the release of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) from the anterior pituitary gland; whereas, Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) levels control sperm production.
ovaries
small, oval-shaped glands located on either side of your uterus. They produce and store your eggs (also called ovum) and make hormones that control your menstrual cycle and pregnancy. During ovulation, one of your ovaries releases an egg.
adrenal glands
A small gland that makes steroid hormones, adrenaline, and noradrenaline. These hormones help control heart rate, blood pressure, and other important body functions. There are two adrenal glands, one on top of each kidney. Also called suprarenal gland.
hypothalamus
a structure deep in your brain, acts as your body’s smart control coordinating center. Its main function is to keep your body in a stable state called homeostasis. It does its job by directly influencing your autonomic nervous system or by managing hormones.
pituitary gland
a small, pea-sized gland located at the base of your brain below your hypothalamus. It sits in its own little chamber under your brain known as the sella turcica. It’s a part of your endocrine system and is in charge of making several essential hormones
anterior pituitary
one of two lobes that make up your pituitary gland, which is a small, pea-sized endocrine gland located at the base of your brain. Your anterior pituitary is responsible for creating and releasing over six different hormones that affect many different bodily processes.
posterior pituitary
one of two lobes that make up your pituitary gland, which is a small, pea-sized endocrine gland located at the base of your brain. Your posterior pituitary’s main functions are to store and release the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone).
pineal gland
an endocrine gland located in the posterior aspect of the cranial fossa in the brain. Its importance is in the circadian cycle of sleep and wakefulness. The pineal gland is also known as the epiphysis cerebri.
thyroid gland
a butterfly-shaped organ located in the neck anterior to the trachea. Its hormones regulate basal metabolism, oxygen use, nutrient metabolism, the production of ATP, and calcium homeostasis.
placenta
a temporary organ that forms in your uterus during pregnancy. It attaches to your uterine wall and provides nutrients and oxygen to your baby through the umbilical cord.
parathyroid glands
mall structures located on the posterior thyroid gland that produce parathyroid hormone (PTH), which regulates blood calcium levels. Low blood calcium levels cause the production and secretion of PTH.
pancreas
an elongated, tapered organ located across the back of the belly, behind the stomach. The right side of the organ—called the head—is the widest part of the organ and lies in the curve of the duodenum, the first division of the small intestine.
hypothalamus
glucagon
a peptide hormone secreted from the alpha cells of the pancreatic islets of Langerhans. Hypoglycemia is physiologically the most potent secretory stimulus and the best known action of glucagon is to stimulate glucose production in the liver and thereby to maintain adequate plasma glucose concentrations.
insulin
hormone that regulates the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood and that is produced by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. Insulin is secreted when the level of blood glucose rises—as after a meal.
alpha cells
endocrine cells that are found in the Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. Alpha cells secrete the peptide hormone glucagon in order to increase glucose levels in the blood stream. Alpha cell. Pancreatic islets (islets of Langerhans).
beta cells
cells that make insulin, a hormone that controls the level of glucose (a type of sugar) in the blood. Beta cells are found in the pancreas within clusters of cells known as islets. In type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system mistakenly destroys the beta cells
lipid soluble hormones
diffuse through the plasma membrane to enter the target cell and bind to a receptor protein. Aldosterone is another lipid-soluble hormone that is created by the adrenal gland.
water soluble hormones
Water-soluble hormones bind to a receptor protein on the plasma membrane of the cell. These hormones are stored in endocrine cells until needed. They act by binding to protein receptors on the outside surface of the cell.
