Endocrine System Flashcards
approximately the size of a pea and located at the base of the brain. The pituitary is divided into two lobes. It is often referred to as the master gland because it produces hormones that stimulate the function of other endocrine glands. (also called hypophysis cerebri)
Pituitary gland
produces and secretes the following hormones (also called adenohypophysis):
anterior lobe
regulates the growth of body
growth hormone
stimulates adrenal cortex
adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
stimulates thyroid gland
thyroid-stimulating hormone
stimulate the gonads (the testes in males and ovaries in females). Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are the gonadotropic hormones released from the adenohypophysis.
gonadotropic hormones
promotes development of glandular tissue during pregnancy and produces milk after birth of an infant
prolactin
stores and releases antidiuretic hormone and oxytocin (also called neurohypophysis)
posterior lobe
stimulates the kidney to reabsorb water and constricts blood vessels to help maintain blood pressure (also called vasopressin)
antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
stimulates uterine contractions during labor and postpartum, and milk let down by the breasts postpartum
oxytocin
located superior to the pituitary gland in the brain. The hypothalamus secretes “releasing” hormones that function to stimulate or inhibit the release of pituitary gland hormones.
hypothalamus
largest endocrine gland. It is located anteriorly in the neck below the larynx and comprises bilateral lobes connected by an isthmus (Fig. 16.3C). The thyroid gland secretes the hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), which require iodine for their production. Thyroxine is necessary for body cell metabolism.
thyroid gland
four small bodies embedded in the posterior aspect of the lobes of the thyroid gland (Fig. 16.3D). Parathyroid hormone (PTH), the hormone produced by the glands, helps maintain the level of calcium in the blood by its effects on bone and kidneys.
parathyroid gland
clusters of endocrine tissue found throughout the pancreas, made up of different cell types that secrete various hormones, including insulin and glucagon. Non-endocrine cells found throughout the pancreas produce enzymes that facilitate digestion (Fig. 16.4).
islets of Langerhans
paired glands, one of which is located superior to each kidney. The outer portion is called the adrenal cortex, and the inner portion is called the adrenal medulla. The following hormones are secreted by the adrenal glands:
adrenal glands
secreted by the adrenal cortex. It aids the body during stress by increasing glucose levels to provide energy (also called hydrocortisone).
cortisol
secreted by the adrenal cortex. Electrolytes (mineral salts) that are necessary for normal body function are regulated by this hormone.
aldosterone
secreted by the adrenal medulla. These hormones help the body to deal with stress by increasing the blood pressure, heartbeat, and respirations. (also called adrenaline and noradrenaline, respectively)
epinephrine, norepinephrine
adren/o
adrenal glands
adrenal/o
adrenal glands
cortic/o
cortex (outer layer of body organ)
endocrin/o
endocrine
parathyroid/o
parathyroid glands
pituitar/o
pituitary gland
thyroid/o
thyroid gland
acr/o
extremities, height
calc/i
calcium
dips/o
thirst
glyc/o
sugar
kal/i
potassium
natr/o
sodium
eu-
normal/good
hyper-
excessive/above
hypo-
below/ deficient
pan-
all, total
poly-
many
syn-
together/joined
-al
pertaining to
-drome
run, running
-ectomy
excision, surgical removal
-emia
in the blood
-ia
diseased or abnormal state
-ism
state of
-itis
inflammation
-logist
one who studies and treats
-logy
study of
-megaly
enlargement
-oma
tumor/swelling
-pathy
disease
-plasia
condition of formation, development/growth
enlargement of the extremities (and face due to increased soft tissue, bone, and cartilage; caused by excessive production of the growth hormone by the pituitary gland after puberty)
acromegaly
inflammation of adrenal glands
adrenalitis
enlargement of the adrenal glands
adrenomegaly
any disease of the endocrine system
endocrinopathy
excessive calcium in the blood
hypercalcemia
excessive sugar in blood
hyperglycemia
excessive potassium in blood
hyperkalemia
state of excessive parathyroid gland activity (resulting in hypercalcemia and leading to osteoporosis, as well as symptoms of muscle weakness, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness)
hyperparathyroidism
state of excessive pituitary gland activity (characterized by excessive secretion of pituitary hormones)
hyperpituitarism
state of excessive thyroid gland activity (characterized by excessive secretion of thyroid hormones; signs and symptoms include tachycardia, weight loss, irritability, and heat intolerance)
hyperthyroidism
deficient calcium in blood
hypocalcemia
deficient sugar in blood
hypoglycemia
deficient potassium in the blood
hypokalemia
deficient sodium in blood
hyponatremia
state of deficient pituitary gland activity (characterized by decreased secretion of one or more of the pituitary hormones, which can affect the function of the target endocrine gland; for example, hypothyroidism can result from decreased secretion of thyroid-stimulating hormone by the pituitary gland)
hypopituitarism
state of deficient thyroid gland activity (characterized by decreased secretion of thyroid hormones; signs and symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, and cold intolerance)
hypothyroidism
state of total deficient pituitary gland activity (characterized by decreased secretion of all the anterior pituitary hormones; this is a more serious condition than hypopituitarism in that it affects the function of all the other endocrine glands)
panhypopituitarism
tumor of parathyroid gland
parathyoidoma
inflammation of the thyroid gland
thyroiditis
chronic syndrome resulting from a deficiency in the hormonal secretion of the adrenal cortex. Signs and symptoms may include weakness, weight loss, hypotension, darkening of skin, and loss of appetite.
addison disease
condition caused by congenital absence or atrophy (wasting away) of the thyroid gland, resulting in hypothyroidism. The disease is characterized by puffy features, mental deficiency, large tongue, and short stature.
congenital hypothyroidism
group of signs and symptoms attributed to the excessive production of cortisol by the adrenal cortices (pl. of cortex). This syndrome may be the result of a pituitary tumor that produces ACTH or a primary adrenal cortex hypersecretion. Signs include abnormally pigmented skin, “moon face,” pads of fat on the chest and abdomen, “buffalo hump” (fat on the upper back), wasting away of muscle, and hypertension.
cushing syndrome
result of decreased secretion of antidiuretic hormone by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland. Symptoms include excessive thirst (polydipsia), large amounts of urine (polyuria), and water being excreted from the body.
diabetes insipidus
chronic disease involving a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism caused by under-activity of the insulin-producing islets of Langerhans and characterized by elevated blood sugar (hyperglycemia). DM can cause chronic renal disease, retinopathy, and neuropathy. In extreme cases the patient may develop ketosis, acidosis, and finally coma (Table 16.1).
diabetes mellitus (DM)
condition brought about by hypersecretion of growth hormone by the pituitary gland before puberty
gigantism
autoimmune disorder of the thyroid gland characterized by the production of more thyroid hormone than the body needs (hyperthyroidism), goiter, and exophthalmos (abnormal protrusion of the eyeballs)
grave’s disease
disease in which thyroid gland cells are destroyed by autoimmune processes. Characterized by hypothyroidism and goiter; more common in females.
Hashimoto thyroiditis
serious condition resulting from uncontrolled diabetes mellitus in which acid ketones accumulate from fat metabolism in the absence of adequate insulin. If not promptly controlled by adequate insulin and hydration, can progress to coma and death.
ketoacidosis
group of signs and symptoms including insulin resistance, obesity characterized by excessive fat around the area of the waist and abdomen, hypertension, hyperglycemia, elevated triglycerides, and low levels of the “good” cholesterol HDL. Risks include development of type 2 diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, or stroke (also called syndrome X and insulin resistance syndrome).
metabolic syndrome
condition resulting from an extreme deficiency of the thyroid hormone thyroxine; a severe form of hypothyroidism in an adult. Signs include puffiness of the face and hands, coarse and thickened skin, enlarged tongue, slow speech, and anemia.
myxedema
malignant cancer that often starts in the adrenal medulla, composed of immature nerve cells. Primarily affects children.
neuroblastoma
tumor of the adrenal medulla, which is usually non-malignant and characterized by hypertension, headaches, palpitations, diaphoresis, chest pain, and abdominal pain. Surgical removal of the tumor is the most common treatment. Though usually curable with early detection, it can be fatal if untreated.
pheochromocytoma
condition caused by excessive thyroid hormones
thyrotoxicosis
excision of (one or both) adrenal glands
adrenalectomy
excision of parathyroid gland/s
parathyroidectomy
excision of thyroid gland
thyroidectomy
nuclear medicine scan that measures thyroid function, particularly when distinguishing different causes of hyperthyroidism. Radioactive iodine is given to the patient orally, after which the amount of its uptake into the thyroid gland is measured. Images of the gland can also be obtained using this procedure.
radioactive iodine uptake
nuclear medicine procedure used to localize hyperactive parathyroid glands. The glands that take up an abnormal amount of radioactive substance are identified and selected for surgical removal; the other parathyroid glands may be left in place.
sestamibi parathyroid
ultrasound test of the thyroid gland used to help determine whether a thyroid nodule is likely benign or possibly malignant, including whether it is cystic or solid. Also used to help guide a fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy.
thyroid sonography
blood test to determine the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood after fasting for 8 to 10 hours. Elevation may indicate diabetes mellitus.
fasting blood sugar
biopsy technique that uses a narrow hollow needle to obtain tiny amounts of tissue for pathologic examination. Thyroid nodules are frequently biopsied using FNA.
fine needle aspiration
blood test used to diagnose diabetes and monitor its treatment by measuring the amount of glucose (sugar) bound to hemoglobin in the blood. HbA1c provides an indication of blood sugar level over the past three months, covering the 120-day lifespan of the red blood cell (also called glycated hemoglobin, hemoglobin A1c, and A1c test).
glycosylated hemoglobin
blood test that measures the amount of thyroid-stimulating hormone in the blood; used to diagnose thyroid disorders and to monitor patients on thyroid replacement therapy
thyroid stimulating hormone level
blood test that gives the direct measurement of the amount of thyroxine in the patient’s blood. A greater-than-normal amount indicates hyperthyroidism; a less-than-normal amount indicates hypothyroidism.
thyroxine level (T4)
excessive development of the adrenal cortex (Note: hyper, a prefix, appears within this term.)
adrenocorticohyperplasia
normal (level of) sugar in the blood (within normal range)
euglycemia
normal thyroid gland activity
euthyroid
sugar in the blood
glycemia
abnormal state of much thirst
polydipsia
physician who studies and treats diseases of the endocrine (system)
endocrinologist
study of endocrine system
endocrinology
pertaining to the cortex
corical
run together (signs and symptoms occurring together that are characteristic of a specific disorder)
syndrome
abnormal protrusion of the eyeball
exophthalmos
enlargement of the thyroid gland. May be caused by autoimmune diseases of the thyroid (Graves disease or Hashimoto thyroiditis), iodine deficiency, or the presence of multiple nodules.
goiter
condition affecting nerves causing muscle spasms as a result of low amounts of calcium in the blood caused by a deficiency of the parathyroid hormone
tetany
chemical substance secreted by an endocrine gland that is carried in the blood to a target tissue
hormone
a group of hormones produced by the gastrointestinal system that stimulate the release of insulin from the pancreas and help preserve the beta cells. Incretin mimetics are medications that copy this action and help control blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
incretins
sum total of chemical process that take place in a living organism
metabolism
DI
diabetes inspidus
DKA
diabetes ketoacidosis
DM
diabetes mellitus
SIADH
syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion
T1DM
type 1 diabetes mellitus
T2DM
type 2 diabetes mellitus
ACTH
adrenocorticotropic hormone
ADH
antidiuretic hormone
FBS
fasting blood sugar
FNA
fine needle aspiration
FSH
follicle-stimulating hormone
GH
growth hormone
HbA1c
glycosylated hemoglobin
LH
luteinizing hormone
PRL
prolactin
PTH
parathyroid hormone
RAIU
radioactive iodine uptake
TSH
thyroid-stimulating hormone
T4
throxine level
