Endocrine System Flashcards
Ability of the body to maintain a state of equilibrium within its internal environment, regardless of changing conditions in the outside environment
Homeostasis
Chemical substance produced by specialized cells of the body that works slowly and affects many different processes, including growth and development, sexual function, mood, and metabolism
hormone
Sum of all chemical and physical processes occurring within living cells
metabolism
The branch of medicine concerned with diagnosis and treatment of hormone imbalances and diseases that affect the endocrine glands
Endocrinology
Conduct basic research to learn the ways glands work and clinical research to learn the best methods to treat patients with a hormone imbalance
Endocrinologist
Consists of a network of ductless glands with a rich blood supply that enables the hormones (chemical imbalances) they produce to enter the bloodstream. It is instrumental in regulating mood, body growth and development, tissue function, and metabolism.
Endocrine system
aden/o
gland
adrenal/o; adren/o
adrenal glands
calc/o
calcium
gluc/o; glyc/o
sugar, sweetness
pancreat/o
pancreas
parathyroid/o
parathyroid glands
pituitar/o
pituitary gland
thym/o
thymus gland
thyr/o; thyroid/o
thyroid gland
toxic/o
poison
-crine
to secrete
-ism
condition
-toxic
poison
hyper-
excessive, above normal
poly-
many, much
Hypofunctioning of the adrenal cortex that results in generalized malaise, weakness, muscle atrophy, severe loss of fluids and electrolytes, low blood pressure, hypoglycemia, and hyperpigmentation of the skin
Addison disease
Cluster of symptoms caused by excessive amounts of cortisol (glucocorticoid) or adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) circulating in the blood; may be due to the use of oral corticosteroid medication or by tumors that produce cortisol or ACTH
Cushing syndrome
Group of metabolic diseases characterized by high glucose levels that result from defects in insulin secretion, action, or both and that occur in two primary forms: type 1 and type 2
diabetes mellitus (DM)
Abrupt onset of DM, usually in childhood, caused by destruction of beta islet cells of the pancreas with complete deficiency of insulin secretion
Type 1 diabetes
Gradual onset of DM, usually appearing in middle age and caused by a deficiency in production of insulin or a resistance to the action of insulin or a resistance to the action of insulin by the cells of the body
Type 2 diabetes
Tumor of the islets of Lanferhans in the pancreas
insulinoma
Inflammation of the pancreas that occurs when pancreatic enzymes that digest food are activated in the pancreas instead of the duodenum and attack pancreatic tissue, causing damage to the gland; most commonly caused by alcoholism and biliary tract disease
pancreatitis
Total pituitary impairment that brings about a progressive and general loss of hormone activity
panhypopituitarism
Rare adrenal gland tumor that causes excessive release of epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (hormones that regulate heart rate and blood pressure) and induces severe blood pressure elevation
pheochromocytoma
Test that measures glucose levels in the blood after the patient has fasted (not eaten) for at least 8 hours; used to diagnose pancreatic disorders, such as diabetes and hypoglycemia; also called fasting blood sugar (FBS)
fasting blood glucose
Test in which a patient fasts for 8 to 12 hours and then ingest glucose, and blood samples are taken to determine how quickly the glucose is cleared from the blood; used to diagnose diabetes with higher accuracy than other blood glucose tests; also called oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)
glucose tolerance test (GTT)
Imaging procedure that measures levels of radioactivity in the thyroid after oral or intravenous administration of radioactive iodine; used to determine thyroid function by monitoring the ability of the thyroid to take up (uptake) iodine from the blood
radioactive iodine uptake test (RAIU)
Blood test that measure thyroid hormone levels to detect an increase or decrease in thyroid function
thyroid function test (TFT)
Blood test that measures calcium to detect parathyroid and bone disorders
total calcium
Removal of one lobe in treatment of endocrine disease such as hyperthyroidism
lobectomy
Excision of the thymus gland in cases of myasthenia gravis or a tumor
thymectomy
Minimally invasive endoscopic surgery that removes pituitary tumors through the nasal cavity via the sphenoid sinus (transsphenoidal) without affecting the brain
transsphenoidal hypophysectomy
Synthetic hormone used to correct a deficiency of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, or testosterone hormone; relieve symptoms of menopause; and prevent osteoporosis in women
hormone replacement
Replace insulin in patients with type 1 diabetes or severe type 2diabetes
insulins
Treat type 2 diabetes by stimulating the pancreas to produce more insulin or lower glucose levels in the blood
oral antidiabetics
Thyroid hormone deficiency
hypothyroidism
Overproduction of the thyroid hormone
hyperthyroidism
Inflammation and enlargement of the thyroid
thyromegaly
A form of hypothyroidism that develops in infants. If not treated, this disorder leads to mental retardation, impaired growth, low body temperatures, and abnormal bone formation
Cretinism
Characterized by edema, low blood levels of thyroid hormones, weight gain, cold intolerance, fatigue, depression, muscle or joint pain, and sluggishness
Myxedema
The most common form of hyperthyroidism. It is an autoimmune disease that increases production of thyroid hormones, enlarges the thyroid gland (goiter), and causes multiple system changes. Characterized by an elevated metabolic rate, abnormal weight loss, excessive perspiration, muscle weakness, and emotional instability. Also, the eyes are likely to protrude (exophthalmos) because of edematous swelling in the tissues behind them.
Graves disease
Synthesized and secreted by the anterior pituitary gland and its responsible for normal growth of bones, cartilage, and soft tissue
Growth hormone
A deficiency or absence of GH (hyposecretion) during childhood slows bone growth and results in underdevelopment of the body (hypopituitarism)
Pituitary dwarfism
Excessive secretion of GH (hypersecretion) during childhood causes an abnormal increase in the length of long bones and results in a disorder known as ______
Giantism
When hypersecretion of GH occurs after puberty, an overgrowth of the bones of the face, hands, and feet results in a disorder known as ______
Acromegaly
