Endocrine System Flashcards by Emma Brzezinski

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

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produces and secretes the following hormones (also called adenohypophysis):

anterior lobe

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regulates the growth of body

growth hormone

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stimulates adrenal cortex

adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

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stimulates thyroid gland

thyroid-stimulating hormone

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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

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promotes development of glandular tissue during pregnancy and produces milk after birth of an infant

prolactin

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stores and releases antidiuretic hormone and oxytocin (also called neurohypophysis)

posterior lobe

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stimulates the kidney to reabsorb water and constricts blood vessels to help maintain blood pressure (also called vasopressin)

antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

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stimulates uterine contractions during labor and postpartum, and milk let down by the breasts postpartum

oxytocin

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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secreted by the adrenal cortex. It aids the body during stress by increasing glucose levels to provide energy (also called hydrocortisone).

cortisol

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secreted by the adrenal cortex. Electrolytes (mineral salts) that are necessary for normal body function are regulated by this hormone.

aldosterone

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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

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adren/o

adrenal glands

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adrenal/o

adrenal glands

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cortic/o

cortex (outer layer of body organ)

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endocrin/o

endocrine

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parathyroid/o

parathyroid glands

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pituitar/o

pituitary gland

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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

diabetes inspidus

DKA

diabetes ketoacidosis

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

growth hormone

HbA1c

glycosylated hemoglobin

luteinizing hormone

PRL

prolactin

PTH

parathyroid hormone

RAIU

radioactive iodine uptake

TSH

thyroid-stimulating hormone

throxine level