Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Histology > Endocrine System > Flashcards

Endocrine System Flashcards

1
Q

consists of axons extending from the hypothalamic supraoptic and para- ventricular nuclei, through the infundibulum and into the pars nervosa of the posterior pituitary, where peptide hormones they carry are released for capillary uptake

A

hypothalamic-hypophyseal tract

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

consists of two capillary networks connected by the hypophyseal portal vein. The primary plexus surrounds the infundibulum and median eminence, and the second is throughout the pars distalis and drains into the hypophyseal veins

A

hypothalamic-hypophyseal portal system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q
  • 50
  • Somatotropin (growth hormone, GH), a 22-kDa protein
  • Stimulates growth in epiphyseal plates of long bones via insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) produced in liver
A

Somatotrophs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q
  • 15-20
  • Prolactin (PRL), a 22.5-kDa protein
  • Promotes milk secretion
A

Lactotrophs (or mammotrophs)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q
  • 10
  • Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH; interstitial cell- stimulating hormone [ICSH] in men), both 28-kDa glycoprotein dimers, secreted from the same cell type
  • FSH promotes ovarian follicle development and estrogen secretion in women and spermatogenesis in men; LH promotes ovarian follicle maturation and progesterone secretion in women and interstitial cell androgen secretion in men
A

Gonadotrophs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q
  • 5
  • Thyrotropin (TSH), a 28-kDa glycoprotein dimer
  • Stimulates thyroid hormone synthesis, storage, and liberation
A

Thyrotrophs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q
  • 15-20
  • Adrenal corticotropin (ACTH), a 4-kDa polypeptide
  • Lipotropin (LPH)
  • Stimulates secretion of adrenal cortex hormones
  • Helps regulate lipid metabolism
A

Corticotrophs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

TRH, PRH, GnRH, CRH, GHRH

A

Releasing hormones

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

PIH, GIH

A

Inhibiting hormones

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

stimulates the thyroid gland to release thyroid hormone

A

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

acts on mammary glands to stimulate milk production

A

prolactin (PRL)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

act on gonads (testes and ovaries) to stimulate development of gametes (sperm and oocyte)

A

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
and luteinizing hormone (LH)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

acts on all body tissues, especially cartilage, bone, muscle, and adipose connective tissue to stimulate growth

A

growth hormone (GH)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

acts on the adrenal cortex to cause release of corticosteroids

A

adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q
  • 3-amino acid peptide
  • Stimulates release of thyrotropin (TSH)
A

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q
  • 10-amino acid peptide
  • Stimulates the release of both follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)
A

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q
  • 14-amino acid peptide
  • Inhibits release of both somatotropin (GH) and TSH
A

Somatostatin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q
  • 40- or 44-amino acid polypeptides (2 forms)
  • Stimulates release of GH
A

Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q
  • 40- or 44-amino acid polypeptides (2 forms)
  • Stimulates release of GH
A

Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q
  • Modified amino acid
  • Inhibits release of prolactin (PRL)
A

Dopamine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q
  • 41-amino acid polypeptide
  • Stimulates synthesis of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and release of both β-lipotropic hormone (β-LPH) and corticotropin (ACTH)
A

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Increases water permeability of renal collecting ducts

A

Vasopressin/antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Stimulates contraction of mammary gland myoepithelial cells and uterine smooth muscle

A

Oxytocin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

adversely affected by heritable mutations in the gene for vasopressin (ADH)-neurophysin, by compression from a tumor in adjacent tissues, and by head trauma

A

posterior pituitary function

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q
  • autoimmune in origin
  • degeneration in any layer of adrenal cortex, with concomitant loss of glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, or androgen production
A

Addison disease or adrenal cortical insufficiency

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

rounded clusters of columnar or pyramidal cells principally secreting the mineral corticoid aldosterone. Blood-filled regions are parts of the subcapsular arterial plexus

A

zona glomerulosa

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

consists of long cords of large, spongy-looking cells mainly secreting glucocorticoids such as cortisol

A

zona fasciculata

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

have fewer lipid droplets and are therefore better stained, arranged in a close network and secrete mainly sex steroids, including the androgen precursor DHEA

A

zona reticularis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

loss of the insulin effect and a subsequent failure of cells to take up glucose, leading to elevated blood sugar or hyperglycemia

A

diabetes mellitus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

caused by loss of the β cells from autoimmune destruction and is treated by regular injections of insulin

A

Type 1 diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q
  • β cells are present but fail to produce adequate levels of insulin in response to hyperglycemia and the peripheral target cells “resist” or no longer respond to the hormone
  • occurs with obesity, and poorly understood, multifactorial genetic components are also important in this disease’s onset
A

type 2 diabetes or non–insulin- dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM),

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

clumped masses of pale-staining endocrine cells embedded in the exocrine acinar tissue of the pancreas

A

Pancreatic islets

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q
  • ~20
  • Glucagon
  • Polypeptide; 3500 Da
  • Acts on several tissues to make energy stored in glycogen and fat available through glycogenolysis and lipolysis; increases blood glucose content
A

α

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q
  • ~70
  • Insulin
  • Dimer of α and β chains with S-S bridges; 5700-6000 Da
  • Acts on several tissues to cause entry of glucose into cells and promotes decrease of blood glucose content
A

β

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q
  • 5-10
  • somatostatin
  • Polypeptide; 1650 Da
  • Inhibits release of other islet cell hormones through local paracrine action; inhibits release of GH and TSH in anterior pituitary and HCl secretion by gastric parietal cells
A

δ or D

36
Q
  • Rare
  • Pancreatic polypeptide
  • Polypeptide; 4200 Da
  • Stimulates activity of gastric chief cells; inhibits bile secretion, pancreatic enzyme and bicarbonate secretion, and intestinal motility
A

PP

37
Q

inhibit thyroid hormone production, causing thyrotropic cells of the anterior pituitary gland to produce excess TSH

A

Chronic dietary iodine deficiencies

38
Q

autoimmune disorder in which antibodies produce chronic stimulation of the follicular cells and release of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism), which causes a hyper- metabolic state marked by weight loss, nervousness, sweating, heat intolerance, and other features

A

graves disease

39
Q
  • reduced thyroid hormone levels
  • local inflammation (thyroiditis) or inadequate secretion of TSH by the anterior pituitary gland and is often manifested by tiredness, weight gain, intolerance of cold, and decreased ability to concentrate
A

Hypothyroidism

40
Q

diminished secretion of PTH can cause bones to become more mineralized and denser and striated muscle to exhibit abnormal contractions due to inadequate calcium ion concentrations

A

hypoparathyroidism

41
Q
  • Adrenal glands: Cortex
  • Mineralocorticoid
  • Stimulate renal reabsorption of water and Na+ and secretion of K+ to maintain salt and water balance
A

Cells of zona glomerulosa

42
Q
  • Adrenal glands: Cortex
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Influence carbohydrate metabolism; suppress immune cell activities
A

Cells of zona fasciculata

43
Q
  • Adrenal glands: Cortex
  • Weak androgens
  • Precursors for testosterone or estrogen
A

Cells of zona reticularis

44
Q
  • Adrenal glands: Medulla
  • Chromaffin cells
  • Increases heart rate and blood pressure
A

Epinephrine

45
Q
  • Adrenal glands: Medulla
  • Chromaffin cells
  • Constricts vessels; increases heart rate and blood pressure
A

Norepinephrine

46
Q
  • Pancreatic islets
  • Glucagon
  • Raises blood glucose levels
A

α Cells

47
Q
  • Pancreatic islets
  • Insulin
  • Lowers blood glucose levels
A

β Cells

48
Q
  • Pancreatic islets
  • Somatostatin
  • Inhibits secretion of insulin, glucagon, and somatotropin
A

δ Cells

49
Q
  • Pancreatic islets
  • Pancreatic polypeptide
  • Inhibits secretion of pancreatic
    enzymes and HCO –
A

PP cells

50
Q
  • Thyroid glands
  • Thyroid hormones (T3 and T4)
  • Increases metabolic rate
A

Follicular cells

51
Q
  • Thyroid glands
  • Calcitonin
  • Lowers blood Ca2+ levels by inhibiting osteoclast activity
A

Parafollicular or C cells

52
Q
  • Chief cells
  • Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
  • Raises blood Ca2+ levels by stimulating osteoclast activity
A

Parathyroid glands

53
Q
  • Pinealocytes
  • Melatonin
  • Regulates circadian rhythms
A

Pineal gland

54
Q

pars nervosa develops as a downgrowth of the developing brain and is attached in the hypothalamus by the infundibulum

A

posterior pituitary

55
Q

pars distalis, the pars tuberalis that surrounds the infundibulum, and the thin pars intermedia adjacent to the pars nervosa

A

anterior pituitary

56
Q

important in carrying peptide factors from hypothalamic neurons to cells of the anterior pituitary where they control cell secretion

A

hypothalamic hypophyseal portal system

57
Q

Endocrine cells of the anterior pituitary can be called ___, ___, or ___ based on their general staining prop- erties; the latter lack secretory granules and stain poorly

A

acidophils; basophils; chromophobes

58
Q

which pituitary hormone they produce using immunohistochemistry and
antibodies against specific hormones

A

Acidophils and basophils

59
Q

primarily somatotrophs producing somatotropin (growth hormone), or lactotrophs (or mammotrophs)
producing prolactin (PRL)

A

Acidophils

60
Q

gonadotrophs producing FSH and LH and
thyrotrophs making TSH

A

Basophils

61
Q

corticotroph, synthesizing POMC that is cleaved by proteases to make ACTH and β-LPH

A

third type of basophil

62
Q

bundles of nerve axons that run from supraoptic nucleus (SON) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in the hypothalamus to the posterior pituitary

A

hypothalamic hypophyseal tract

63
Q

consists of three concentric zones, all histologically distinct but with cells producing steroid hormones and all drained by the same system of capillaries

A

adrenal cortex

64
Q
  • most superficial
  • round clusters of cells producing mineralocorticoids such as aldosterone regulating electrolyte levels
A

zona glomerulosa

65
Q

elongated strands of cells producing glucocorticoids such as cortisol, which regulates several aspects of carbohydrate metabolism

A

zona fasciculata

66
Q

network of cells making the weak androgen DHEA that is converted to testosterone in men and women

A

zona reticularis

67
Q

contains neural crest-derived chromaffin cells synthesizing either epinephrine or norepinephrine that regulate the stress response

A

adrenal medulla

68
Q

small clusters of pale cells embedded within the exocrine tissue; they have primarily β cells making insulin, α cell (glucagon), and δ cells (somatostatin)

A

Pancreatic islets of Langerhans

69
Q

consists mainly of spherical follicles composed of simple epithelium of thyrocytes surrounding a lumen with thyroglobulin

A

thyroid gland

70
Q

large glycoprotein in which tyrosine residues are iodinated as precursors of the thyroid hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine, which are released when the precursor is degraded

A

Thyroglobulin

71
Q
  • Thyroid follicles also contain a few smaller and paler cells called
  • C cells
  • produce the polypeptide hormone calcitonin
A

parafollicular cells

72
Q
  • On the posterior side of the thyroid glands are four small ___
  • consisting primarily of principal cells that secrete PTH that raises blood Ca2+ levels
A

parathyroid glands

73
Q

develops from embryonic neuroectoderm, remains attached to the brain, and contains modified neurons called pinealocytes that secrete the amine melatonin

A

pineal gland

74
Q
  • Pineal landmarks are the concretions called ___
  • brain sand
A

corpora arenacea

75
Q
  • neural connections from the retina to ___ allow diurnal secretion of melatonin and rhythms in physiological activities
A

pinealocytes

76
Q

Are produced in response to stimulation by ACTH

A

glucocorticoids

77
Q

Pregnant women who have begun labor but in whom this process is no longer progressing are often given an IV injection of Pitocin to stimulate uterine contractions and facilitate parturition. Pitocin is a trade name of a hormone produced in what endocrine tissue?

A

Pars nervosa

78
Q

What hormone is produced in response to decreased blood calcium levels?

A

PTH

79
Q

Addison disease (or adrenal cortex insufficiency) is a disorder, usually autoimmune in origin, which can cause degeneration and cell loss in the adrenal glands. Fludrocortisone is a mineralocorticoid used to treat Addison patients. Response to this drug indicates that which region of the adrenal glands was involved in the disease?

A

Zona glomerulosa

80
Q

A glucagonoma is a malignant tumor consisting of what cells?

A

A or α cells

81
Q

Secretion, chemical modification and storage, reuptake, and digestion of a protein occur in epithelial cells of what endocrine tissue?

A

Thyroid gland

82
Q

Secretion in what neuroendocrine cell is controlled directly by neural activity and involves a hormone that generally slows metabolic activity at night?

A

Pinealocyte

83
Q

Some mammalian endocrine tissues or cells can be experimentally transplanted to other well-vascularized sites (such as the oral mucosa) in genetically similar hosts and the tissue’s function continues normally and with proper regulation. The pars distalis is not a good candidate for such transplantation studies for which one of the following reasons?

A

Its cells stop functioning when separated from the hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal system

84
Q

A 45-year-old corporate executive presents with the primary com- plaint of “always being tired.” She comments that she has been tired for 4 months even though she is sleeping more. She complains of being unable to finish chores at home and “dragging at work.” She indicates that she is often constipated and is intolerant of cold. She is continuously turning the thermostats in the house and office to higher temperatures, to the dismay of family and coworkers. She also complains that her skin is very dry; use of lotions and creams have not helped the dryness. A biopsy of her thyroid gland shows dense lymphocytic infiltration with germinal centers throughout the parenchyma and a battery of further tests is carried out, which also suggest thyroiditis. Which of the following results of blood tests would be most likely in this patient?

A

Elevated TSH levels

85
Q

A 9-year-old girl, the youngest of four daughters, is taken to the pediatrician by her mother, who indicates that for at least 4 months the child has seemed “hyperactive,” unable to sleep soundly because “she says her room is too hot,” and no longer able to concentrate in school. Upon questioning, the mother also remembers that her daughter’s periods also began within the past few months. Blood tests indicate high levels of estrogen-related hormones and cortisol. Which of the following tentative diagnoses is consistent with all of these symptoms?

A

A benign tumor involving cells in the adenohypophysis

Histology (7 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions