Glossary Terms - Normal Structure and Function

Question 1

adrenal gland

Answer 1

A gland on the superior surface of the kidney. The outer region (cortex) secretes steroid hormones; the inner region (medulla) secretes epinephrine (adrenaline) in response to stress (root: adren/o)

Question 2

endocrine

Answer 2

Pertaining to a ductless gland that secretes hormones into the blood

Question 3

hormone

Answer 3

A secretion of an endocrine gland. A substance that travels in the blood and has a regulatory effect on tissues, organs, or glands

Question 4

hypophysis

Answer 4

The pituitary gland (root: hypophys); named from hypo, meaning “below,” and physis, meaning “growing,” because the gland grows below the hypothalamus

Question 5

hypothalamus

Answer 5

A portion of the brain that controls the pituitary gland and is active in maintaining homeostasis

Question 6

pancreatic islet

Answer 6

Cluster of endocrine cells in the pancreas that secretes hormones to regulate glucose metabolism; also called islet of Langerhans or islet cells (root insul/o means “island”)

Question 7

parathyroid gland

Answer 7

A small endocrine gland on the posterior thyroid that acts to increase blood calcium levels; there are usually four to six parathyroid glands (roots: parathyr/o, parathyroid/o); the name literally means “near the thyroid”

Question 8

pineal gland

Answer 8

A small gland in the brain. Appears to regulate mood, daily rhythms, and sexual development in response to environmental light. Secretes the hormone melatonin

Question 9

pituitary gland

Answer 9

A small endocrine gland at the base of the brain. The anterior lobe secretes growth hormone and hormones that stimulate other glands; the posterior lobe releases ADH and oxytocin manufactured in the hypothalamus (root: pituitar/i); hypophysis

Question 10

prostaglandins

Answer 10

A group of hormones produced throughout the body that have a variety of effects, including stimulation of uterine contractions and regulation of blood pressure, blood clotting, and inflammation

Question 11

receptor

Answer 11

A site on the cell membrane or within the cell to which a substance, such as a hormone, attaches

Question 12

steroid hormone

Answer 12

A hormone made from lipids and including the sex hormones and the hormones of the adrenal cortex

Question 13

target tissue

Answer 13

The specific tissue on which a hormone acts; may also be called the target organ

Question 14

thyroid gland

Answer 14

An endocrine gland on either side of the larynx and upper trachea. It secretes hormones that affect metabolism and growth (roots: thyr/o, thyroid/o).

Question 15

sella turcica

Answer 15

A saddle-shaped depression in the sphenoid bone that contains the pituitary gland (literally means “Turkish saddle”)

Question 16

sphenoid bone

Answer 16

A bone at the base of the skull that houses the pituitary gland