Endocrine System Flashcards

1
Q

What kinds of glands synthesize substances that are released into ducts connecting to another structure?

A

exocrine

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2
Q

What kinds of glands synthesize substances that are released into the bloodstream to affect target tissue?

A

endocrine

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3
Q

Endocrine cells can comprise a single gland or…

A

be scattered throughout the tissue of an organ with other functions

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4
Q

The endocrine system and nervous system work together to keep the body in…

A

homeostasis

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5
Q

Endocrine cells produce substances that are released into the bloodstream to have an effect on target structures - these substances are called…

A

hormones

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6
Q

What are hormones?

A

substances released into the bloodstream that are chemical messengers that will have an effect on tissues/structures that have receptors for the specific hormone

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7
Q

Hormone levels in the blood are regulated by self-adjusting mechanisms, or…

A

feedback loops

- can be either positive or negative

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8
Q

What is the master controller of the endocrine system?

A

hypothalamus

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9
Q

How does the hypothalamus control the endocrine functions of the body?

A
  1. Produces regulatory hormones which have an effect on the anterior pituitary gland (which produces its own hormones). Regulating hormones can either stimulate the release of hormones or inhibit them.
  2. Produces hormones that are transported and stored in the posterior pituitary gland until they are needed.
    Stimulates sympathetics to the adrenal medulla during “fight or flight” which causes the adrenal medulla to release adrenaline.
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10
Q

Pituitary Gland (AKA Hypohphysis)

A
  • sits in the hypohyseal fossa of the sphenoid bone
  • suspended from hypothalamus by a stalk or infundibulum
  • divided into anterior and posterior parts
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11
Q

What part of the pituitary gland synthesizes and releases hormones into the bloodstream under the control of the hypothalamus?

A

the anterior pituitary

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12
Q

What hormones do the anterior pituitary glands make?

A
  1. thyroid-stimulating hormone
  2. growth hormone
  3. follicle stimulating hormone & lutenizing hormone
  4. prolactin
  5. adrenococorticotropic hormones
  6. melanocyte-stimulating hormones
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13
Q

Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone

A

acts on the thyroid gland to release thyroid hormone, especially when cold or stressed

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14
Q

Growth Hormone

A

acts on all body tissues (especially bones and muscles to stimulate growth and size of the body

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15
Q

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone and Lutenizing Hormone

A

acts on the gonads (testes and ovaries) to stimulate the development of gametes (sperm cells and oocytes)

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16
Q

Prolactin

A

acts on the mammary glands of the breast to stimulate growth and milk production (not ejection)

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17
Q

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone

A

acts on the adrenal cortex to cause the release of corticosteroids

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18
Q

Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone

A

acts on the melanocytes in the skin to produce melanin

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19
Q

The hypothalamus controls the anterior pituitary glandby releasing its regulating hormones in to the…

A

hypothalamic-hypophyseal portal system

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20
Q

Venous blood carrying regulating hormones from the hypothalamus to the capillary plexus surrounding the anterior pituitary gland are called the…

A

hypophyseal portal veins

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21
Q

The regulating hormones leave the capillary plexus to have an effect on the…

A

anterior pituitary

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22
Q

The anterior pituitary releases its hormones into the capillary plexus and are carried away by the __________ ______, back to the heart to be distributed throughout the body.

A

hypophyseal vein

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23
Q

The stalk of the pituitary gland is made up of _______ _______ running from the hypothalamus into the posterior.

A

nerve axons

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24
Q

There are ___ nuclei in the hypothalamus whose axons make up the stalk and carry hormones to the posterior pituitary gland for storage.

A

2

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25
Q

What do neurons in the paraventricular nucleus do?

A

synthesize and transport oxytocin to the posterior pituitary gland

26
Q

What do neurons in the supraoptic nucleus do?

A

produce and transport anti-diuretic hormone to the posterior pituitary gland

27
Q

The posterior pituitary gland does not produce any hormones of its own, but stores…

A

oxytocin and anti-diuretic hormone until needed

28
Q

What are hormones from the posterior pituitary released into?

A

its own capillary plexus to access the general bloodstream

29
Q

Oxytocin

A
  • stimulates the ejection of milk from the breast (not production) during breastfeeding
  • causes contraction of the smooth muscle of the uterus during birth
  • in males, oxytocin causes the contraction of the prostate gland to release its products during sexual activity
30
Q

Anti-Diuretic Hormone

A
  • released when blood volume is low, causing water to be retained by the body (kidneys) to help increase blood volume
  • it also causes vasoconstriction, which helps to increase blood pressure; for this reason, anti-diuretic hormone is also referred to as vasopressin (vaso; vessel… pressin; to press down)
31
Q

What is the largest endocrine gland in the body?

A

thyroid

32
Q

Where is the thyroid gland located?

A

lower neck, anterior to the trachea

33
Q

The right and left lobes of the thyroid are connected by the…

A

isthmus

34
Q

Where does the thyroid get its blood supply?

A

through superior and inferior thyroid arteries

35
Q

The thyroid produces thyroid hormone, which does what?

A

regulate metabolic activity of cells in the body, temperature

36
Q

What are follicles in the thyroid gland?

A

follicular cells surrounding a cavity filled with colloid

37
Q

Colloid

A

contains precursors of thyroid hormone

38
Q

What cells of the thyroid produce thyroid hormone?

A

follicular cells

39
Q

What nutrient is essential for thyroid hormone production?

A

iodine

40
Q

Goiter

A

enlargement of the thyroid gland due to lack of iodine in diet

41
Q

Grave’s Disease

A

an immune system disorder that results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism). This disease is more common among women and before the age of 40.

42
Q

Exophthalmos

A

bulging of the eyes (seen with Grave’s disease)

43
Q

How many parathyroid glands are typically embedded in the posterior thyroid gland?

A

4

44
Q

Parathyroid gland cells produce what, and what is this hormone’s purpose?

A

parathyroid hormone (PTH) which regulates blood calcium levels

45
Q

PTH is released into the bloodstream in response to…

A

low blood calcium levels

46
Q

How does PTH work?

A
  1. causes osteoclasts to release calcium from bone
  2. causes kidneys to reabsorb more calcium from tubular fluid
  3. causes small intestine to absorb more calcium
47
Q

Are parathyroid glands under control of the hypothalamus?

A

no, they release their hormones in response to calcium levels in the blood

48
Q

Medulla of the Adrenal Gland

A

has chromaffin cells that release epinephrine and norepinephrine

49
Q

The cortex of the adrenal gland has three layers, or zones:

A
  1. zona glomerulosa
  2. zona fasciculate
  3. zona reticularis
50
Q

Zona Glomerulosa of the Adrenal Gland

A

secretes mineralcorticoids to regulate composition of electrolytes in the body (aldosterone is a mineralcorticoid)

51
Q

Zona Fasciculate of the Adrenal Gland

A

secretes glucocorticoids which stimulate metabolism of lipids and proteins and helps regulate blood glucose levels (cortisol is a glucocorticoid)

52
Q

Zona Reticularis of the Adrenal Gland

A

secretes gonadocorticoids (androgens are gonadocorticoids)

53
Q

Cushing Syndrome

A

excessive glucocorticoid (chronic exposure) such as when taking corticosteroids as therapy for rheumatoid arthritis

  • decreased bone mass
  • muscle weakness
  • redistribution of body fat
  • salt retention (swelling)
54
Q

Addison Disease

A

adrenal insufficiency

  • weight loss
  • general fatigue and weakness
  • hypotension
55
Q

Which organ has both exocrine and endocrine functions?

A

pancreas

56
Q

Acinar Cells of Pancreas

A

exocrine - produce digestive enzymes that enter the duodenum through the pancreatic duct

57
Q

What are the endocrine cells of the pancreas?

A

pancreatic islet cells (islets of Langerhands)

- alpha and beta cells

58
Q

What do the alpha cells of the pancreas do?

A

secrete glucagon which cause cells in the liver to break down glycogen into glucose

59
Q

What do the beta cells of the pancreas do?

A

secrete insulin to facilitate movement of glucose from blood to tissues/cells of the body
- insulin can also promote glycogen synthesis in liver

60
Q

Delta cells of the pancreas

A

stimulated by high levels of nutrients in the bloodstream. Synthesize somatostatin, which slows the release of insulin (keeps glucose in blood longer) as well as the activity of the digestive organs (this slows the rate of nutrients entering the bloodstream)