The Endocrine System Flashcards
1
Q
primary functions of the adrenal glands
A
regulate electrolyte levels, influence metabolism, and respond to stress
2
Q
primary functions of the gonads
A
gamete (sex cell) producing glands
3
Q
primary function of the testicles
A
sperm producing gland
4
Q
primary function of the ovaries
A
ova (egg) producing gland
5
Q
primary functions of pancreatic islets
A
control blood sugar levels and glucose metabolism
6
Q
primary functions of parathyroid glands
A
regulate calcium levels throughout the body
7
Q
primary functions of pineal gland
A
influences the sleep-wakefulness cycle
8
Q
primary function of the pituitary gland
A
secretes hormones that control the activity of the other endocrine glands
9
Q
primary function of the thymes
A
plays a major role in the immune reaction
10
Q
primary function of the thyroid gland
A
stimulates metabolism, growth and the activity of the nervous system
11
Q
adren/o
A
adrenal glands
12
Q
gonad/o
A
gonads
13
Q
testic/o
A
testicles
14
Q
ovari/o
A
ovaries
15
Q
pancreat/o
A
pancreatic islets
16
Q
parathyroid/o
A
parathyroid glands
17
Q
pineal/o
A
pineal gland
18
Q
pituit/o, putuitar/o
A
pituitary gland
19
Q
thym/o
A
thymus
20
Q
thyr/o, thyroid/o
A
thyroid gland
21
Q
acr/o
A
extremeties
22
Q
crin/o
A
secrete
23
Q
-dipsia
A
thirst
24
Q
poly-
A
many
25
somat/o
body
26
hormones
chemical messengers that are secreted by endocrine glands directly into the bloodstream
27
endocrine glands
produce hormones, do not have ducts
28
13 major glands that make up the endocrine system
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1 pituitary gland
1 pineal gland
1 thyroid gland
4 parathyroid glands
1 thymus
1 pancreas
2 adrenal glands
2 gonads
```
29
pituitary gland
a pea-sized gland that is divided into 2 parts, anterior and posterior, hang from a stalk-like structure below the hypothalamus in the brain; produces hormones that control many body functions
30
adrenocorticotropic hormone
stimulates the growth and secretions of the adrenal cortex
31
follicle-stimulating hormone
stimulates the secretion of estrogen and the growth of ova(eggs) in the ovaries of the female
32
growth hormone
aka somatotropic hormone; regulates the growth of bone, muscle and other body tissues
33
lactogenic hormone
aka prolactin; stimulates and maintains the secretion of breast milk in the mother after childbirth
34
luteinizing hormone
stimulates ovulation in the female, in the male this hormone stimulates the secretion of testosterone
35
melanocyte-stimulation hormone
increases the production of melanin in melanocytes, thereby causing darkening of skin pigmentation
36
thyroid-stimulating hormone
stimulates the secretion of hormones by the thyroid gland
37
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
38
oxytocin
stimulates uterine contraction during childbirth
39
pineal gland
a very small endocrine gland; located in the central portion of the brain
40
thyroid gland
butterfly-shaped gland; found on either side of the larynx; below the thyroid cartilage, regulates the body's metabolism
41
two primary thyroid hormones
thyroxine, triiodothyronine
42
calcitonin
produced by the thyroid gland, a hormone that works with the parathyroid hormone to decrease calcium levels in the blood and tissues by moving calcium to bones and teeth
43
parathyroid hormone
works with calcitonin to regulate calcium levels in the blood and tissues
44
thymus
located near the midline in the anterior of the thoracic cavity; secretes a hormone that helps the body's immune system before birth and in childhood
45
thymosin
stimulates maturation of lymphocytes into T cells
46
pancreas
a feather-shaped organ located posterior to the stomach that functions as part of both the digestive and the endocrine systems
47
glucose
the basic form of energy used by the body
48
glucagon
the hormone secreted by the alpha cells of the pancreatic islets in response to low levels of glucose in the bloodstream
49
insulin
the hormone secreted by the bet cells of the pancreatic islets in response to high levels of glucose in the blood stream
50
how insulin functions
1) when energy is needed, insulin allows glucose to enter the cells to be used as energy
2) when additional glucose is not needed, insulin stimulates the liver to convert glucose into glycogen for storage
51
adrenal glands
aka suprarenals; located on top of each kidney, each gland consists of an outer portion known as the adrenal cortex and the middle portion is the adrenal medulla.
52
electrolytes
mineral substances-calcium, chloride, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium and potassium that are normally found in the blood and other bodily fluids
53
androgens
sex hormones secreted by the gonads, the adrenal cortex and fat cells
54
corticosteroids
the steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex
55
aldosterone
a corticosteroid that regulates the sodium and water levels in the body by increasing sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion by the kidneys
56
cortisol
aka hydrocortisone; a corticosteroid that has an anti-inflammatory action. also helps regulate metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins
57
epinephrine
aka adrenaline; stimulates the sympathetic nervous system in response to physical injury or to mental stress such as fear by making the heart beat faster and raising blood pressure
58
norepinephrine
is both a hormone and a neurohormone; it is released as a hormone by the adrenal medulla and as a neurohormone by the sympathetic nervous system; it plays the role in the "fight-or-flight" response by raising blood pressure, strengthening the heart beat and stimulating muscle contractions
59
gonads
are gamete-producing glands; ovaries in females and testicles in males
60
puberty
the process of physical changes by which a child's body becomes an adult body that is capable of reproducing
61
estrogen
a hormone secreted by the ovaries that is important in the development and maintenance of the female secondary sex characteristics and in regulation of the menstrual cycle
62
progesterone
the hormone released during the second half of the menstrual cycle; its function is to complete the preparation of the uterus for possible pregnancy
63
gamete
a reproductive cell; sperm in the male and ova (eggs) in the female
64
gonadotropin
any hormone that stimulates the gonads
65
androgens
sex hormones, primarily testosterone secreted by the gonads, the adrenal cortex and fat cells. androgens promote the development and maintenance of the male sex characteristics
66
steroids
are a large family of hormone-like substances that share the same fat-soluble chemical structure
67
anabolic steroids
man-made substances that are chemically related to male sex hormones; used in treatment of hormone problems in men and help the body replace muscle mass
68
leptin
a protein hormone secreted by fat cells that is involved in the regulation of appetite
69
ghrelin
a hormone produced in the gastrointestinal tract
70
neurohormones
produced and released by neurons in the brain, delivered to organs and tissues through the bloodstream
71
endocrinologist
a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and malfunction of the endocrine glands
72
certified diabetes educator
a health care professional qualified to teach people with diabetes how to manage their disease
73
acromegaly
a rare chronic disease characterized by abnormal enlargement of the extremities caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone after puberty
74
gigantism
abnormal growth of the entire body that is caused by excessive excretion of growth hormone before puberty
75
hyperpituitarism
the excess secretion of growth hormone that causes acromegaly and gigantism
76
short stature
formerly known as dwarfism; sometimes caused by deficient secretion of growth hormone
77
pituitary adenoma
aka pituitary tumor; two types of these slow-growing benign tumors of the pituitary gland: functioning pituitary tumor and nonfunctioning pituitary tumor.
78
galactorrhea
a condition in which an excess of prolactin causes the breasts to produce milk spontaneously, not due to childbirth
79
prolactinoma
a benign tumor of the pituitary gland which causes the pituitary gland to produce too much of the lactogenic hormone; can cause infertility in women and erectile dysfunction in men
80
diabetes insipidus
an uncommon disorder caused by an insufficient production of the antidiuretic hormone ADH or by the inability of the kidneys to respond appropriately to this hormone
81
syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
caused by the overproduction of the antidiuretic hormone ADH; often as a result of cancer or its treatment
82
pinealoma
a tumor of the pineal gland that can disrupt the production of melatonin
83
hashimoto's disease
an autoimmune disease in which the body's own antibodies attach and destroy the cells of the thyroid gland
84
hypothyroidism
aka underactive thyroid; caused by a deficiency of thyroid secretion
85
cretinism
a congenital form of hypothyroidism
86
myxedema
aka adult hypothyroidism; caused by an extreme deficiency of thyroid excretion
87
thyroid storm
relatively rare, life-threatening condition caused by exaggerated hyperthyroidism
88
hyperthyroidism
the overproduction of thyroid hormones which causes an imbalance of metabolism
89
graves' disease
is a disorder of unknown cause in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland and stimulates it to make excessive amounts of thyroid hormone
90
goiter
is an abnormal benign enlargement of the thyroid gland
91
exophthalmos
an abnormal protrusion of the eyeball out of the orbit
92
hyperparathyroidism
the overproduction of the parathyroid hormone
93
hypoparathyroidism
caused by an insufficient or absent secretion of the parathyroid hormone
94
hypercalcemia
characterized by abnormally high concentrations of calcium circulating in the blood instead of being stored in the bones and teeth
95
hypocalcemia
characterized by abnormally low levels of calcium in the blood
96
thymitis
an inflammation of the thymus gland
97
insulinoma
a benign tumor of the pancreas that causes hypoglycemia by secreting additional insulin
98
pancreatitis
an inflammation of the pancreas
99
hyperglycemia
an abnormally high concentration of glucose in the blood
100
polydipsia
excessive thirst
101
polyphagia
excessive hunger
102
polyuria
excessive urination
103
hyperinsulinism
the condition of excessive secretion of insulin in the bloodstream
104
hypoglycemia
an abnormally low concentration of glucose in the blood
105
diabetes mellitus
a group of metabolic disorders characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in the body's production of insulin
106
Type 1 diabetes
an autoimmune insulin deficiency disorder caused by the destruction of pancreatic islet beta cells
107
type 2 diabetes
an insulin resistance disorder; means that insulin is being produced, but the body does not use it effectively
108
prediabetes
a condition in which the blood glucose level is higher than normal, nut not high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes
109
latent autoimmune diabetes in adults
aka type 1.5 diabetes; a condition in which type 1 diabetes develops in adults, shares many characteristcs of type 2 diabetes but autoimmune bodies are present
110
gestational diabetes mellitus
a form of diabetes mellitus that occurs during some pregnancies; usually disappears after delivery
111
diabetic coma
caused by very high blood glucose
112
insulin shock
caused by very low blood glucose
113
diabetic retinopathy
occurs when diabetes damages the tiny blood vessels in the retina, causes blood to leak into the posterior segment of the eyeball; causing loss of vision
114
ketosis
a normal metabolic process that helps the body utilize stored fat when other sources of energy are lacking
115
addison's disease
occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough of the hormones cortisol or aldosterone
116
adrenalitis
inflammation of the adrenal glands
117
aldosteronism
an abnormality of the electrolyte balance caused by excessive secretion of aldosterone
118
conn's syndrome
a disorder of the adrenal glands that is caused by the excessive production of aldosterone
119
pheochromocytoma
a rare, benign tumor of the adrenal gland that causes too much release of epinephrine and norepinephrine
120
cushing's syndrome
caused by prolonged exposure to high levels of coritone
121
hypergonadism
the condition of excessivve secretion of hormones by the sex glands
122
hypogonadism
the condition of deficient secretion of hormones by the sex glands
123
gynecomastia
the condition of excessive mammary development in the male
124
radioactive iodine uptake test
uses radioactive iodine administered orally to measure thyroid function
125
thyroid-stimulating hormone assay
a diagnostic test to measure the circulating blood level of thyroid-stimulating hormone
126
thyroid scan
measure thyroid function, a form of nuclear medicine
127
fasting blood sugar test
measures the blood glucose levels after the patient has not eaten for 8-12 hours
128
oral glucose tolerance test
after fasting 8 hours, the patient drinks a liquid containing a high concentration of sugar and the blood glucose level is tested after 1 hour and again after 2 hours
129
home blood glucose monitoring
measures the current blood glucose level using a drop of blood and is often performed by the patient multiple times per day
130
hemoglobin a1c testing
a blood test that measures the average blood glucose level over the previous 3 to 4 months
131
fructosamine test
measures average glucose levels over the previous 3 weeks
132
human growth hormone
a synthetic version of the growth hormone that is administered to stimulate growth when the natural supply of growth hormone is insufficient for normal development
133
hypophysectomy
the removal of abnormal glandular tissue
134
pinealectomy
the surgical removal of the pineal gland
135
antithyroid drug
a medication administered to slow the ability of the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones
136
radioactive iodine treatment
the oral administration of radioactive iodine to destroy thyroid cells
137
lobectomy
the surgical removal of one lobe of the thyroid gland
138
synthetic thyroid hormones
oral medication administered to replace lost thyroid function
139
parathyroidectomy
the surgical removal of one or more of they parathyroid glands
140
thymectomy
the surgical removal of they thymus gland
141
pancreatectomy
the surgical removal of all or part of the pancreas
142
laparoscopic adrenalectomy
minimally invasive surgical procedure to remove one or both adrenal glands
143
cortisone
the synthetic equivalent of corticosteroids produced by the adrenal glands; administered to suppress inflammation
