Endocrine Vocabulary Flashcards
Autocrine
Local hormone that affects the cell that released it
Hypothyroidism
abnormally low activity of the thyroid gland, resulting in slowing of growth and mental development in children and metabolic changes in adults, hormone low in blood level
Calcitonin
decreases the blood calcium ion level by causing calcium to be deposited in the bones, slows/stops production in adults
Adrenalin
a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands, especially in conditions of stress, increasing rates of blood circulation, breathing, and carbohydrate metabolism and preparing muscles for exertion
Glucagon
antagonist of insulin, releases glucose into blood, stimulates liver to do it
Epinephrine
a hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla upon stimulation by CNS in response to stress, such as anger or fear, acting to increase heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac output, and carbohydrate metabolism
Cortisol
one of several steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex, keeps blood sugar stable
Melatonin
makes us drowsy, the peak occurs at night, the lowest amount at noon
Insulin
increases body cells’ ability to import glucose across their plasma membranes, sweeps glucose out of blood
Hormone
chemical substances secreted by endocrine cells into the extracellular fluids that regulate the metabolic activity of other cells in the body
Estrogen
Female sex hormone
Hypothalamus
part of the nervous system, also a major endocrine organ because it produces several hormones
Oxytocin
stimulates contractions during childbirth, breastfeeding, and sexual relations, and causes milk ejection (released by the hypothalamus)
Prostaglandins
hormones that act locally
Testosterone
promotes the growth and maturation of the reproductive system organs, and causes secondary sex characteristics, necessary for the production of sperm
Pancreas
located near the stomach, has endocrine (hormone-producing) and exocrine (enzyme-producing) tissues, produces insulin and glucagon
Pineal Body
small, cone-shaped gland that hangs from the roof of the third ventricle of the brain, only melatonin appears to be secreted in substantial amounts
Thyroid Gland
located at base of throat, produces thyroid hormone + calcitonin
Parathyroid
tiny masses of glandular tissue most often found on the posterior surface of the thyroid gland, secrete parathyroid hormone which regulates calcium ion homeostasis of blood
Pituitary Gland
approximately the size of a pea hangs from the inferior surface of the hypothalamus, controls many other endocrine glands
Target Cell
specific cells affected by hormone
Norepinephrine
hormone that is released by the adrenal medulla and by the sympathetic nerves and functions as a neurotransmitter. It is also used as a drug to raise blood pressure
Steroid
(made from cholesterol) include the sex hormones made by the gonads (ovaries and testes) and the hormones produced by the adrenal cortex
Paracrine
relating to or denoting a hormone that has effect only in the vicinity of the gland secreting it.