Endocrine System Flashcards
What is the endocrine system?
made up of organs and glands that produce, store and release hormones
What do hormones do?
regulates chemical reactions in cells
- controls function of the organs, tissues, and other cells
- aids the body in homeostasis
What are hormones?
chemicals used to increase or decrease activity of specific taregt cells
What are the 2 types of glands?
exocrine: releases hormones into a duct to target cells
endocrine: releases hormones directly into the bloodstream
What is the pituitary gland?
master gland of the endocrine system (in the brain)
What does the anterior pituitary gland secrete?
- growth hormone
- thyroid stimulating hormone
- follicle stimulating hormone
- luteinizing hormone
- prolactin
What does growth hormone do?
body growth
What does thyroid stimulating hormone do?
regulates thyroid gland
What does follicle stimulating hormone do?
growth of ova and sperm
What does luteinizing hormone do?
stimulates ovulation and testosterone in males
What does prolactin do?
causes breasts to grow and make milk during pregnancy and after birth
What does the posterior pituitary gland secrete?
- antidiuretic hormone
- oxytocin
What does antidiuretic hormone do?
stimulates reabsorption of water by the kidneys
What does oxytocin do?
stimulates uterine contractions during labor and release of breast milk
What does the hypothalamus do?
similar to posterior pituitary gland
- secretes ADH and oxytocin
What does the pineal gland secrete?
melatonin
What does melatonin do?
regulates onset of puberty
- biological clock
- sleepy time
Where is the thyroid gland?
base of the neck
- just below Adam’s apple
What does the thyroid gland secrete?
- T3
- T4
- Calcitonin
What does T3 and T4 do?
cellular metabolism
What does calcitonin do?
increases bone calcium
Where is the thymus?
posterior to the sternum
What does the thymus do?
secretes thymosin
What does thymosin do?
development of cells in the immune system
What is in the parathyroid gland? What does it do?
parathyroid hormones
- regulates calcium
Where is the pancreas?
behind the stomach and in front of the spine
What type of glands does the pancreas have?
endocrine AND exocrine
What does the pancreas secrete?
alpha cells (glucagon)
beta cells (insulin)
What does glucagon do?
increases blood sugar
What does insulin do?
lowers blood sugar
Where are the adrenal glands?
on top of both kidneys
Why does cortisol get secreted?
prolonged stress inhibits the body’s immune response
What does the adrenal glands secrete?
aldosterone
cortisol
epinephrine
norepinephrine
What does aldosterone do?
regulates electrolytes and fluid volume
What does cortisol do?
regulates carbohydrates
What does epinephrine do?
fight or flight response
What does norepinephrine do?
vasoconstriction to increase blood pressure
What do the ovaries secrete?
estrogen and progesterone
What does estrogen do?
development of secondary sex characteristics in females
- regulates menses
What does progesterone do?
prepares body for pregnancy
What do testes secrete?
testosterone
What does testosterone do?
sperm production
- secondary sex characteristics in males
What is diabetes mellitus?
chronic disease characterized by elevated blood glucose levels
What is type 1 diabetes?
body stops making insulin
- born with it
- requires insulin replacement
What is type 2 diabetes?
associated with obesity, genetic predisposition
What is gestational diabetes?
occurs during pregnancy
- temporary
What is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS?)
irregular menstrual periods, elevated hormone levels, cysts on ovaries
What is gigantism acromegaly?
results from an excess of growth hormone from the pituitary gland
What is hyperthyroidism?
autoimmune disorder
- excessive thyroid hormone
- weight loss
- heat tolerance
- anxiety
- increased heart rate
What is another name for hyperthyroidism?
Graves disease
What is hypotheyoidism?
underactive thyroid gland
- weight gain
- fatigue
- slow heart rate
- myxedema
What is myxedema?
swelling of the skin and underlying tissues
What is cretinism?
condition of severe physical and mental retardation due to iodine deficiency or deficiency of thyroid hormones during early pregnancy
What is cushing’s syndrome?
high levels of the hormone cortisol from the adrenal glands over long periods of time
What is goiter?
irregular growth of the thyroid gland
How is goiter treated?
with iodine or surgery
