Endocrine System Flashcards
Endocrine System
A group of glands that produce hormones that control many important functions in the body, including growth and development, metabolism, and reproduction. Works with the nervous system to control and coordinate all other body systems by affecting with chemical stimuli called hormones vs. neurotransmitters used in the nervous system.
What are the 5 endocrine glands?
Thyroid, Pituitary, Parathyroid, Adrenal and Thymus Glands
Glands
Consist of highly specialized cells which secrete compounds (hormones) into the bloodstream or ducts.
Exocrine Glands
Secrete into ducts, example: tears, enzymes, sweat glands and bile ducts
What are the 3 exocrine excreting organ/glands?
Pancreas (lipase-breaks down fat, amylase-breaks down starch and trypsin-breaks down protein)
Sweat glands
Intestinal glands (i.e. Lieberkühn’s glands)
Endocrine Glands
Secrete directly into the bloodstream via capillaries, example: Thyroxin from the Thyroid gland
Hormone
A secretion of an endocrine gland which has specific regulatory effects on certain other cells or organs. Two types- proteins and steroids.
7 Organs with endocrine tissue?
Pancreas, ovaries, testes, kidneys, stomach, small intestine and placenta
Hypothalamus
A region of the forebrain below the thalamus which coordinates both the autonomic nervous system and the activity of the pituitary, controlling body temperature, thirst, hunger, and other homeostatic systems, and involved in sleep and emotional activity.
Prostaglandin
A group of lipid hormones made at sites of tissue damage or infection that are involved in dealing with injury and illness.
Receptors
Are needed for crossing the cell membrane (cell-membrane receptor for water-soluble hormones) or for accessing the nucleus of the cell (receptor-hormone complex for fat soluble hormones).
Steroid
Are fat soluble or fatty acids that are lipid soluble- and can diffuse through the plasma membrane of the cell. Used as a medical treatment to treat asthma and anaphylactic shock.
Target tissue
Or specific tissue that some hormones like Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) affect. Other hormones affect many types of tissue.
Peptide (short chain of amino acids)/Amines (amino acids)/Glycoprotein (sugars with a nitrogen)
A chemical class of hormones that are water-soluble and are membrane insoluble. They require a cell-membrane receptor to cross the plasma membrane into the cell.
Growth hormone (GH) or Somatotropin hormone (STH)
A protein hormone produced in the anterior lobes of the pituitary gland that promotes growth of body tissue. Used as medical treatment to treat growth deficiencies.
Prolactin (PRL)
A peptide hormone produced in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland that stimulates production of breast milk after childbirth.
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
A glycoprotein produced in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. Necessary for a normal functioning Thyroid gland.
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
A peptide produced in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. Stimulates the functioning of the adrenal cortex.
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
A glycoprotein produced in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. This Gonadotropin stimulates the development of the ova in females and the sperm cells in males.
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
A glycoprotein produced in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. This gonadotropin stimulates ovulation in females.
Interstitial Cell-Stimulating Hormone (ICSH)
A glycoprotein produced in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. This gonadotropin stimulates the production of testosterone in males
Antidiurectic hormone (ADH)
A peptide produced in the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland. Stimulates water reabsorption by the kidneys.
Oxytocin or pitocin
A peptide produced in the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland.
Stimulates uterine contractions during childbirth. Used as a medical treatment to initiate uterine contractions during childbirth.
Thyroxine (T4)
An amine thyroid hormone (principal hormone) that increases energy and protein metabolism. Used as a medical treatment for hypothyroidism.
Triiodothyronine (T3)
An amine thyroid hormone that increases energy and protein metabolism rate.
Calcitonin
A peptide thyroid hormone that regulates calcium metabolism, by reducing blood calcium levels and works with the parathyroid hormone and vitamin D
Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
A peptide parathyroid hormone that increases blood calcium levels. Also inhibits the reabsorption of phosphorus by the kidneys (decreases phosphorus levels).
Aldosterone
A steroid adrenal cortex hormone that increases blood sodium levels.
Cortisol/Corticosterone/Cortisone
A steroid adrenal cortex hormone that increases blood glucose levels.
Epinephrine (adrenalin)
An amine adrenal medulla hormone that stimulates the fight or flight response. Increases blood pressure by increasing heart rate, increases glucose levels, dialates bronchioles and slows peristalsis
Norepinephrine (noradrenalin)
An amine adrenal medulla hormone that stimulates the fight or flight response and elevates blood pressure by vasoconstriction.
Melatonin
An amine pineal hormone that regulates the sleep cycle.
Insulin
A protein type hormone secreted beta cells in the pancreas that reduces blood glucose levels; stimulates manufacture of amino acids into protein; stimulates cellular uptake of glucose and converts glucose to glycogen. Used to treat Diabetes mellitus as an injectable since stomach acids will destroy it.
Glucagon
A protein type hormone secreted by the pancreas that increases blood glucose levels; Produced by alpha cells, breaks glycogen into glucose.
Testosterone
A steroid type hormone secreted by the testes that stimulates the development of secondary sex characteristics and sperm production.
Estrogen
A steroid type hormone secreted by the ovaries that stimulate development of female secondary sex characteristics and prepares the body for childbirth. Used for medical treatment as a means of contraception.
Progesterone
A steroid type hormone secreted by the ovaries that stimulate development of female secondary sex characteristics and prepares the body for childbirth. Used for medical treatment as a means of contraception.
Androgen
A group of sex hormones. They help start puberty and play a role in reproductive health and body development. All genders make androgens, but males make more of them. Testosterone is the most common androgen.
Hypothyroidism
Low amounts of thyroid hormones- infant and adult
Hyperthyroidism
High amounts of thyroid hormones- Grave’s disease and Thyroid storm
Pituitary Gland
A “master gland” endocrine gland, located under the hypothalamus, controlled by hypothalamus connected to the hypothalamus by the infundibulum.
Pituitary Anterior lobe
Produces Somatotropin hormone (STH)/Growth hormone (GH)
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
Prolactin (PRL), Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Luteinizing hormone (LH) and Interstitial cells-stimulating hormone (ICSH)
Pituitary Posterior lobe
Produces Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and Oxytocin (pitocin)
Adrenal Medulla
Backup to the sympathetic nervous system making effects last longer, produces epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline).
Adrenal Cortex
Stimulated by Adrenocorticotropic hormone via hypothalamus. Produces steroids, glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids and sex hormones (estrogen and androgens)
Parathyroid Gland
4 glands posterior capsule of the thyroid. Produces parathyroid hormone (PTH) which works with calcitonin to regulate calcium metabolism.
Pancreas
An organ behind the stomach that produces endocrine and exocrine hormones
Pineal Gland
A cone shaped structure located in the cerebrum. Receives information about the state of the light-dark cycle from the environment and convey this information by the production and secretion of the hormone melatonin. May control onset of puberty-function is obscure?
Thyroid Gland
A endocrine gland located anterior portion of the neck, shaped like a shield produces Thyroxine (T4), Calcitonin and Triiodothyronine (T3), hormones needed for metabolism and require iodine
Sex Glands (Gonads)
Ovaries and testes produce hormones to develop sexual characteristics and maintain reproductive organs. Ovaries- Estrogen and Progesterone. Testes- Androgens; testosterone.
Diabetes mellitus
A disorder which involves a lack of insulin or defective insulin put out by the beta cells of the pancreas. Has two types Type I and Type II.
Glucocorticoids (i.e. Cortisol)
Cortisol is a steroid hormone that your adrenal glands, the endocrine glands on top of your kidneys, produce and release. Cortisol affects several aspects of your body and mainly helps regulate your body’s response to stress.
Mineralocorticoids (i.e. Aldosterone)
A corticosteroid hormone which stimulates absorption of sodium by the kidneys and so regulates water and salt balance.
Addison Disease
A rare disorder of the adrenal cortex that causes low blood glucose levels and low blood sodium levels.
Cushing Syndrome
A disorder of the adrenal cortex characterized by high blood glucose levels and the accumulation of lipid deposits on the face and neck.
Lipid soluble hormones
Hormones that are made up of fatty acids and lipids (fat). Usually steroids derived from steroid cholesterol. Hormones produced in the adrenal cortex, sex glands and prostaglandins are lipids.
Water soluble hormones
Hormones that are made up of proteins, which are virtually all hormones except steroids.
Negative feedback
Regulation of hormone production. Excess hormone will cause the target tissue to be over active; this excessive activity triggers the endocrine gland to cease hormone production. Moves the body systems closer to homeostasis.
Positive feedback
Moves the body system further away from homeostasis. Positive feedback is the amplification of a body’s response to a stimulus.
Rhythmic pattern
Or circadian rhythm controls hormonal rhythms (such as melatonin, insulin, glucagon, and cortisol, and estrogen) through downstream effects.
Homeostasis
The status of the body when it is in its natural balance or relatively stable equilibrium between interdependent elements, especially as maintained by physiological processes.
Master Gland
or the Pituitary Gland
Infundibulum
Connects to the hypothalamus
Inhibiting and releasing hormones
Hormones that hypothalamus sends that stimulate and suppress anterior pituitary secretions.
Goiter
An irregular growth of the thyroid gland.
Graves disease
An immune system disorder that results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism).
Exophthalmos
The protrusion of one or both eyes anteriorly out of the orbit due to an increase in orbital contents within the rigid bony orbit. Associated with Grave’s disease.
Tenany or hypoparathyroidism
A condition in which muscle remains involuntarily contracted. Usually can develop following surgery involving the thyroid gland.
Hyperparathyroidism
A disorder caused by an overproduction of PTH that results in excessive calcium reabsorption from bone. Hyperparathyroidism can significantly decrease bone density, leading to spontaneous fractures or deformities.
Acini of the Pancreas
Structure in the Pancreas that secretes digestive enzymes (exocrine). Digestive enzymes will exit through tubes or ducts into the digestive system (stomach and small intestine).
Islets of Langerhans
Structure in the Pancreas that secretes homones (endocrine).
Are masses of specialized endocrine cells that release their hormones directly into the capillaries that are numerous inside the islets (examples: insulin and glucagon)
Type I Diabetes Mellitus
Occurs when the pancreatic beta cells are destroyed by an immune-mediated process. Because the pancreatic beta cells sense plasma glucose levels and respond by releasing insulin, individuals with type 1 diabetes have a complete lack of insulin. In this disease, daily injections of insulin are needed.
Type II Diabetes Mellitus
Far more common than type 1. It makes up most of diabetes cases. It usually occurs in adulthood, but young people are increasingly being diagnosed with this disease. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas still makes insulin, but the tissues do not respond effectively to normal levels of insulin, a condition termed insulin resistance. Over many years the pancreas will decrease the levels of insulin it secretes, but that is not the main problem when the disease initiates. Many people with type 2 diabetes do not know they have it, although it is a serious condition. Type 2 diabetes is increasing due to obesity and failure to exercise, both of which contribute to insulin resistance.
Erythropoietin (EPO)
A hormone produced in the kidney that increases the production of red blood cells.
Renin
A hormone secreted by the kidneys to raise blood pressure.
Atrial Natrurietic Peptide ( ANP)
A hormone that regulates salt-water balance. ANP acts in the heart to prevent cardiac hypertrophy.
Thymosin
Is the hormone of the thymus, and it stimulates the development of disease-fighting T cells.
Placenta
Produces two steroid hormones – estrogen and progesterone. Progesterone acts to maintain pregnancy by supporting the lining of the uterus (womb), which provides the environment for the fetus and the placenta to grow.
Thymus
In your upper chest behind your breastbone (sternum). Produced thymosin, which stimulate the development of T-cells. As we age the thymus disappears and is replaced by fat in a process known as involution. by 65yo you do not produce T-cells anymore.
Osteoporosis
An aging condition that causes bones to become weak and brittle.
