Endocrine System Flashcards
What is the endocrine system & what does it do?
A complex network of glands and organs - uses hormones to control and coordinate body’s metabolism, energy level, reproduction, growth and development and respond to injury, stress and mood
Name 4 major glands within the endocrine system
Pituitary
Thyroid
Adrenals
Parathyroid
What is the hypothalamus?
Area in brain that produces hormones that control:
- body temperature
- heart rate
- hunger
- mood
What is known as the master gland?
Pituitary gland
What is the pituitary gland?
At base of the brain below hypothalamus. It makes, stores and releases hormones
What is not a function of a hormone?
Producing electrolytes
What controls hormone release from the anterior pituitary gland?
Hormones released from the hypothalamus
What is NOT a common method of stimulating hormone secretion from an endocrine cell?
Mechanical stretching of the endocrine cell
What anterior pituitary hormone stimulates general body growth?
Growth hormone
Which blood glucose lowering hormone is produced by the pancreatic islet cells?
Insulin
What hormone promotes increases in the basal metabolic rate (BMR)?
Thyroid hormone
What is not an endocrine gland?
Sebaceous gland
What hormones are released in response to decreases in blood glucose concentration?
Glucagon
What is ADH?
Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) - Helps regulate the amount of water in our body & works to control amount of water kidneys absorb as they filter out waste from our blood
What is FSH?
Follicle - stimulating hormone. promotes sperm production in men and stimulates the ovaries to release eggs in women
What does the growth hormone do?
Stimulates growth in childhood and is important for maintaining a healthy body composition
What is ACTH?
Adrenocorticotrophin - stimulates production of cortisol by the adrenal glands
What is cortisol?
So called stressed hormone - vital to survive - helps maintain blood pressure and blood glucose levels.
What is LH?
Luteinising hormone - regulates testosterone in men and oestrogen for women
What is the condition goiter?
When too little iodine in diet causes thyroid to swell
Where is thyroid gland located?
Small gland in neck located anterior to trachea and below thyroid cartilage
What do the thyroid hormones control?
Our metabolism, which is the body’s ability to break down food and store it as energy.
What is HYPERthyroidism?
Can also be called (overactive thyroid). It happens when the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone - this therefore speeds up the bodys metabolism
What is hypothyroidism?
Where thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones
Whats another word for hyperthyroidism?
Graves disease
What does the parathyroid hormone do?
Takes calcium from the bones to make it available in the blood
What is the inner portion of the adrenal gland called?
The adrenal medulla
What is the outer portion of the adrenal called?
Adrenal Cortex
What does the parathyroid hormone do? (PTH)
Takes calcium from the bones to make it available in the blood
What is Cushing syndrome?
Condition caused by having too much of the hormone called cortisol in your body.
What is addisons disease?
When adrenal gland is damaged it does not produce enough of cortisol and aldosterone
What are the adrenal glands? & what two key hormones do they produce
2 small glands that sit on top of the kidneys they produce 2 essential hormones called - cortisol and aldosterone
