Endocrine System Flashcards
hormones
chemical messengers secreted by endocrine glands directly into bloodstream
endocrine glands
produce hormones and do not have ducts
pituitary gland pineal gland thyroid gland 4 parathyroid glands thymus gland pancreas 2 adrenal glands 2 gonads (pair of ovaries or testicles)
pituitary gland
pea-sized gland that secrete hormones to control the activity of other endocrine glands
adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
stimulates the growth and secretions of the adrenal cortex
secreted by anterior lobe pituitary gland
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
stimulates the secretion of estrogen and growth of ova in the ovaries or the production of sperm
secreted by anterior lobe pituitary gland
growth hormone GH)
regulates the growth of bone, muscle and other body tissues
secreted by anterior lobe pituitary gland
lactogenic hormone (LTH)
AKA prolactin
stimulates and maintains the secretion of breast milk
secreted by anterior lobe pituitary gland
luteinizing hormone (LH)
stimulates ovulation or secretion of testosterone
secreted by anterior lobe pituitary gland
melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)
increases the production of melanin causing darkening of skin pigmentation
secreted by anterior lobe pituitary gland
antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
secreted by hypothalamus and stored by pituitary
helps control blood pressure by reducing that amount of water excreted thru kidneys
oxytocin (OXT)
stimulates uterine contraction during childbirth and controls postnatal hemorrhage and milk flow
secreted by posterior lobe pituitary gland
pineal gland
located in central part of brain and secretions influence the sleep-wakefulness cycle
melatonin
hormone influences the sleep-wakefulness cycle
thyroid gland
located on either side of larynx and primary function to regulate body’s metabolism
thyroxine and triiodothyronine
2 primary thyroid hormones regulate the rate of metabolism and affect growth and rate of function of many other body systems
calcitonin
hormone works with parathyroid hormone to decrease calcium levels in blood and tissue by moving calcium into storage in bones and teeth
produced by thyroid gland
parathyroid glands (4)
embedded in posterior surface of thyroid gland
primary function is to regulate calcium levels in body
parathyroid hormone (PTH)
works with calcitonin to regulate calcium in blood and tissues
thymus
located near midline in anterior portion of thoracic cavity - helps develop body’s immune system b4 birth and in childhood.
thymosin
secreted by thymus - stimulates the maturation of lymphocytes into T cells
pancreas
feather shaped organ that functions in digestive system and endocrine system
pancreatic islets
parts of pancreas with endocrine functions - controls blood glucose levels and glucose metabolism
glucose
basic form of energy used by body
aka blood sugar when in bloodstream
secreted by pancreatic islets
glucagon
hormone secreted by alpha cells of pancreatic islets in response to low levels of glucose causes liver to convert glycogen into glucose
insulin
hormone secreted by beta cells of pancreatic islets in response to high levels of glucose in bloodstream
adrenal glands
located on top of kidneys with 2 sections, outer portion =adrenal cortex and middle portion=adrenal medulla. primary functions are to control electrolyte levels, help regulate metabolism and interact with sympathetic nervous system in response to stress
electrolytes
mineral substances that are normally found in blood and other body fluids
androgens
sex hormones, primarily testosterone, secreted by gonads, adrenal cortex and fat cells - promote development and maintenance of male sex characteristics
corticosteroids
steroids hormones produced by adrenal cortex
aldosterone
corticosteroid that regulates the sodium and water levels in body by increasing sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion by kidneys
cortisol
aka hydrocortisone
corticosteroid that has an anti-inflammatory action and regulates metabolism of carbs, fats and proteins
epinephrine
aka adrenaline
stimulates sympathetic nervous system in response to physical injury or mental stress
secreted by adrenal medulla
norepinephrine
both a hormone and a neurohormone and is important in flight or fight - raises blood pressure, strengthen heartbeat and stimulates muscle contractions
secreted by adrenal medulla
gonads
gamete-producing glands - ovaries and testicles - responsible for producing hormones for development and maintenance of secondary sex characteristics (features that distinguish sexes but unrelated to reproduction)
estrogen
hormone important in development and maintenance of female secondary sex characteristics and in regulation of menstrual cycle
progesterone
hormone released in second half of menstrual cycle to complete prep of uterus of possible pregnancy
gamete
reproductive cell - sperm and ova
gonadotropin
any hormone stimulated by the gonads
testosterone
steroid hormone to stimulate development of male secondary sex characteristics
steroid
family of hormone-like substances that scar the same fat-soluble chemical structure that are secreted by endocrine glands to relieve swelling and inflammation
Anabolic steroids
man-made substances that are chemically related to male sex hormones - used in treatment of male hormone problems are help body replace muscle
leptin
protein hormone secreted by fat cells that is involved in the regulation of appetite
Grehlin
hormone produced in the GI tract sometimes called the hunger hormone
Neurohormones
produced and released by neurons in the brain and delivered to organs and tissues by bloodstream
Acromegaly
rare chronic disease characterized by abnormal enlargement of the extremities caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone after puberty
Gigantism
abnormal growth of the entire body caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone before puberty
Hyperpituitarism
excessive secretion of growth hormone that causes acromegaly and gigantism
short stature
formerly know as dwarfism - sometimes caused by lack of growth hormone
pituitary adenoma
pituitary tumors - functioning secrete hormones in large and unregulated doses and nonfunctioning do not produce excessive amounts
Galactorrhea
condition where excess prolactin causes breasts to produce milk spontaneously
Prolactinoma
benign tumor of pituitary gland that causes too much prolactin
diabetes insipidus
uncommon disorder caused by an insufficient production of antidiuretic hormone or by inability of kidneys to respond appropriately to this hormone
syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH)
caused by overproduction of antidiuretic hormone preventing kidney from excreting water
Pinealoma
tumor of the pineal gland that can disrupt the production of melatonin
Hashimoto’s disease
autoimmune disease in which body’s own antibodies attack and destroy cells of the thyroid
hypothyroidism
aka underachieve thyroid - caused by deficiency of thyroid secretion - symptoms include fatigue, depression, sensitivity to cold, and decreased metabolic rate
cretinism
congenital form of hypothyroidism - can cause arrested physical and mental development is treatment is not started soon after birth
myxedema
aka adult hypothyroidism - extreme deficiency of thyroid secretion
thyroid storm
rare, life threatening condition caused by exaggerated hyperthyroidism
hyperthyroidism
overproduction of thyroid hormones causing increased metabolic rate, sweating, nervousness, and weight loss
Grave’s disease
immune system attacks the thyroid gland and stimulates it to make excessive amounts of thyroid hormone
goiter
abnormal, benign enlargement of the thyroid gland that produces a swelling in the front of the neck
exophthalmos
abnormal protrusion of the eyeball out of the orbit
hyperparathyroidism
overproduction of the parathyroid hormone which causes the condition hypercalcemia
hypoparathyroidism
caused by an insufficient or absent secretion of parathyroid hormone which causes the condition hypocalcemia
hypercalcemia
abnormally high concentrations of calcium circulating in blood stream instead of being stored in bones and teeth leading to weakened bones and kidney stones
hypocalcemia
abnormally low concentrations of calcium circulating in blood stream
thymitis
inflammation of the thymus gland
insulinoma
benign tumor of pancreas that causes hypoglycemia by secreting addition insulin
pancreatitis
inflammation of the pancreas
hyperglycemia
high concentration of glucose in blood
polydipsia
excessive thirst
polyphagia
excessive hunger
polyuria
excessive urination
hyperinsulinism
excessive secretion of insulin in the bloodstream
hypoinsulinism
low concentration of glucose in blood
diabetes mellitus
group of metabolic disorders characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in the body’s production of insulin or ability to use it properly
Type 1 diabetes
autoimmune insulin deficiency disorder caused by the destruction of pancreatic islet beta cells
Type 2 diabetes
insulin resistance disorder in that insulin is being produced but body does not use it effectively
prediabetes
condition in which blood glucose level is higher than normal but not high enough to be type 2 diabetes
latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA)
condition in which type 1 diabetes develops in adults
diabetic coma
caused by very high blood sugar glucose
aka diabetic ketoacidosis
insulin shock
very low blood glucose - treated by giving sugary substance that can be absorbed quickly
diabetic retinopathy
occurs when diabetes adamance tiny blood vessels in retina causing blood to leak into posterior segment
ketosis
normal metabolic process that helps body utilize stored fat whether source of energy are lacking
Addison’s disease
when adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones cortisol or aldosterone - characterized by chronic worsening fatigue and muscle weakness, loss of appetite, low blood pressure, and weight loss
adrenalitis
inflammation of adrenal glands
aldosteronism
abnormality of electrolyte balance caused by excessive secretion of aldosterone
Conn’s syndrome
disorder of adrenal glands caused by excessive production of aldosterone
pheochromocytoma
rare, benign tumor of the adrenal gland that causes release of too much epinephrine and norepinephrine which regulate heart rate and blood pressure
Cushing’s syndrome
caused by prolonged exposure to high levels of cortisol - signs include round, red “moon” face
hypergonadism
condition of excessive amounts of secretion of hormones by sex glands
hypogonadism
condition of deficient secretion of hormones by sex glands
gynecomastia
condition of excessive mammary developments in males
radioactive iodine uptake test (RAIU)
uses radioactive iodine administer orally to measure thyroid function
thyroid-stimulating assay
diagnostic test to measure the circulating blood level of thyroid-stimulating hormone - used to detect abnormal thyroid activity resulting from excessive pituitary stimulation
Hemoglobin A1c
blood test that measures the average blood glucose level over the previous 3-4 months
fructosamine test
measures average glucose levels over the previous 3 weeks
human growth hormone
synthetic version of the growth hormone that is administer to stimulate growth when natural supply is insufficient
hypophysectomy
removal of abnormal glandular tissue
antithyroid drug
medication to slow ability of thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones
radioactive iodine treatment (RAI)
oral administration of radioactive iodine to destroy thyroid cells - used to treat cancer and chronic hyperthyroid disorders
cortisone
synthetic equivalent of corticosteroids produced by adrenal glands
