The Endocrine System Flashcards
acr/o
extremities (hands and feet), top, extreme point
adren/o
adrenal glands
crin/o
secrete
-dipsia
thirst
glyc/o
glucose, sugar
gonad/o
gonad, sex glands
-ism
condition, state of
pancreat/o
pancreas
parathyroid/o
parathyroid glands
pineal/o
pineal gland
pituitar/o
pituitary gland
poly-
many
somat/o
body
thym/o
thymus gland
thyr/o, thyroid/o
thyroid gland
acromegaly
a rare hormonal disorder characterized by abnormal enlargement of the extremities (hands and feet) caused by the excessive secretion of growth hormone after puberty.
Addison’s disease
a condition that occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough cortisol or aldosterone.
adrenalitis
inflammation of the adrenal glands.
aldosteronism
an abnormality of electrolyte balance caused by the excessive secretion of aldosterone.
antidiuretic hormone
secreted by the hypothalamus and stored In the pituitary gland; helps control blood pressure by reducing the amount of water that is excreted through the kidneys.
calcitonin
produced by the thyroid gland; hormone that works with the parathyroid hormone to decrease calcium levels in the blood and tissues by moving calcium into storage in the bones and teeth.
corticosteroids
steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex.
cortisol
also known as hydrocortisone, is a corticosteroid that has an anti-inflammatory action; also helps regulate the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in the body.
cretinism
a congenital form of hypothyroidism.
Cushing’s syndrome
a condition caused by prolonged exposure to high levels of cortisol.
diabetes insipidus
an uncommon disorder caused by insufficient production of the antidiuretic hormone or by the inability of the kidneys to respond to this hormone.
diabetes mellitus
a group of metabolic disorders characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in the body’s production of insulin (type 1) or its ability to use it properly (type 2).
diabetic ketoacidosis
a life-threatening diabetes complication caused by a buildup of acids (called ketones) in the blood.
diabetic retinopathy
damage to the retina as a complication of uncontrolled diabetes.
electrolytes
mineral substances–calcium, chloride, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, and potassium–that are normally found in the blood and other bodily fluids.
epinephrine
also known as adrenaline, stimulates the sympathetic nervous system in response to physical injury or to mental stress such as fear.
estrogen
hormone secreted by the ovaries that is important for the development and maintenance of the female secondary sex characteristics and in regulation of the menstrual cycle.
exophthalmos
an abnormal protrusion of the eyeball out of the orbit.
follicle-stimulating hormone
stimulates the secretion of estrogen and the growth of ova (eggs) in the ovaries of the female; in the male, it stimulates the production of sperm in the testicles (testes).
fructosamine test
a blood test that measures average glucose levels over the past three weeks.
gestational diabetes mellitus
a form of diabetes that occurs during some pregnancies.
gigantism
abnormal growth of the entire body caused by excessive secretion of the growth hormone before puberty.
glucagon
hormone secreted by the alpha cells of the pancreatic islets in response to low levels of glucose in the bloodstream; increases the glucose level by stimulating the liver to convert glycogen into glucose for release into the bloodstream.
glucose
basic form of energy used by the body.
Graves’ disease
a disorder of unknown cause in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland and stimulates it to make excessive amounts of thyroid hormone.
growth hormone
also known as somatotropic hormone; regulates the growth of bone, muscle, and other body tissues.
gynecomastia
the condition of excessive mammary development in the male.
Hashimoto’s disease
an autoimmune disease in which the body’s own antibodies attack and destroy the cells of the thyroid gland.
hypercalcemia
abnormally high concentrations of calcium circulating in the blood instead of being stored in the bones and teeth.
hyperglycemia
an abnormally high concentration of glucose in the blood.
hyperinsulinism
a condition of excessive secretion of insulin in the bloodstream.
hyperpituitarism
the excess secretion of growth hormone that causes acromegaly and gigantism.
hyperthyroidism
the overproduction of thyroid hormones.
hypoglycemia
an abnormally low concentration of glucose in the blood.
hypothyroidism
a condition caused by a deficiency of thyroid secretion.
insulin
hormone secreted by the beta cells of the pancreatic islets in response to high levels of glucose in the bloodstream.
insulinoma
a benign tumor of the pancreas that secretes additional insulin, causing hypoglycemia.
ketosis
a normal metabolic process that helps the body utilize stored fat when other sources of energy are lacking.
laparoscopic adrenalectomy
a minimally invasive procedure to surgically remove one or both adrenal glands.
leptin
hormone secreted by fat cells that is involved in the regulation of appetite.
luteinizing hormone
stimulates ovulation in the female; in the male, stimulates the secretion of testosterone.
myxedema
a severe form of adult hypothyroidism caused by extreme deficiency of thyroid secretion.
norepinephrine
released as a hormone by the adrenal medulla and as a neurohormone by the sympathetic nervous system.
oxytocin
stimulates uterine contractions during childbirth; after childbirth, oxytocin controls postnatal hemorrhage and stimulates the flow of milk from the mammary glands.
pancreatitis
inflammation of the pancreas.
parathyroidectomy
surgical removal of one or more of the parathyroid glands.
pituitary adenoma
a slow-growing, benign tumor of the pituitary gland, functional pituitary tumors often produce hormones in large and unregulated amounts.
polydipsia
excessive thirst.
polyphagia
excessive hunger.
polyuria
excessive urination.
prediabetes
a condition in which the blood glucose level is higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes.
progesterone
hormone released during the second half of the menstrual cycle by the corpus luteum in the ovary; its function is to complete the preparation of the uterus for possible pregnancy.
prolactinoma
a benign tumor of the pituitary gland that causes it to produce too much prolactin.
puberty
process of physical changes by which a child’s body becomes an adult body that is capable of reproducing; marked by maturing of the genital organs, development of secondary sex characteristics, and the first occurrence of menstruation in the female.
radioactive iodine treatment
oral administration of radioactive iodine to destroy thyroid cells.
steroids
a large family of hormones derived from cholesterol.
testosterone
steroid hormone secreted by the testicles and the adrenal cortex to stimulate the development of male secondary sex characteristics.
thymectomy
surgical removal of the thymus gland.
thymosin
plays an important part in the immune system by stimulating the maturation of lymphocytes into T cells.
thyroxine
one of two primary thyroid hormones (the other is triiodothyronine) that regulate the rate of metabolism and affect the growth and rate of function of many other body systems.
