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medical terminology > unit 11 (endocrine) - medical vocabulary > Flashcards

unit 11 (endocrine) - medical vocabulary Flashcards

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USMLE® Step 1 flashcards
1
Q

acidosis

A

an increase in the acidity of blood; body fluids, and tissues due to an excess of hydrogen ions

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2
Q

acromegaly

A

an enlargement of the face, feet, and hands; results from malfunction of the hypothalamus or the anterior pituitary gland, which causes hypersecretion of growth hormone

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3
Q

Addison’s disease

A

a disease resulting from insufficient secretion of cortisol and sometimes aldosterone; characterized by progressive anemia, hypotension, hypoglycemia, fatigue, increased skin pigmentation, joint pain, and loss of appetite

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4
Q

adenocarcinoma

A

a malignant tumor of a gland or mucus-secreting organ, including cancers of the pancreas, lung, prostate, colon, and esophagus

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5
Q

adrenal cortex

A

the outer layer of an adrenal gland

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6
Q

adrenal feminization

A

the pathological development of female secondary sex characteristics in a male

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7
Q

adrenal glands

A

two glands, one located on each kidney, that are responsible for the body’s adrenaline rush; each adrenal gland has two layers

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8
Q

adrenal medulla

A

the inner layer of an adrenal gland

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9
Q

adrenal virilism

A

the presence or development of male secondary sex characteristics in a female

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10
Q

adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

A

a hormone that controls adrenal gland function, influencing the production of cortisol

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11
Q

aldosterone

A

a hormone that regulates body pressure, electrolyte concentrations, and fluid volume in the body

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12
Q

alpha cells

A

one group of the islets of Langerhans, which are responsible for secreting glucagon

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13
Q

anterior pituitary

A

the part of the pituitary gland that is under the direction of hormones produced by the hypothalamus, and which releases adrenocorticotropic hormone and thyroid-stimulating hormone

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14
Q

antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

A

a hormone that stimulates the kidneys to retain water and constricts blood vessels

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15
Q

antithyroid agents

A

drugs that block the production of thyroid hormones; used to treat hyperthyroidism that is caused by Graves’ disease

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16
Q

beta cells

A

one group of the islets of Langerhans, which are responsible for the release of insulin

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17
Q

blood serum tests

A

a group of tests in which blood is measured for specific levels of hormones and other substances to determine how well specific endocrine glands and organs are functioning

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18
Q

calcitonin

A

a hormone that stimulates the deposit of calcium into bone and lowers blood calcium levels

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19
Q

catecholamines

A

a class of hormones that are released during times of stress, creating an adrenaline rush

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20
Q

catecholamines tests

A

a group of tests that measure the level of catecholamines, a class of hormones secreted by the adrenal medulla, in either a blood sample or a 24-hour urine sample; performed to detect or monitor pheochromocytoma or neuroblastoma

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21
Q

certified diabetes educator (CDE)

A

a person who is trained to provide a clear explanation of diabetes, including steps that the patient must take to manage the disease

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22
Q

circadian rhythm

A

the body’s 24-hour sleep-and-waking cycle

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23
Q

corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)

A

a hormone that increases production of adrenocorticotropic hormone in the pituitary gland

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24
Q

cortisol

A

a hormone that regulates blood glucose levels and helps metabolize carbohydrates, proteins, and fats

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25
Q

cortisone

A

a hormone that regulates blood glucose levels

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26
Q

cretinism

A

congenital hypothyroidism due to lack of thyroid hormone secretion; characterized by delayed or abnormal physical and mental development

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27
Q

Cushing’s syndrome

A

a condition resulting from the hypersecretion of cortisol; may be caused by a tumor or prolonged use of steroids

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28
Q

deoxycorticosterone

A

a hormone that serves as a building block for aldosterone

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29
Q

diabetes insipidus (DI)

A

a rare type of diabetes caused by inadequate secretion of ADH by the posterior pituitary gland; characterized by excessive thirst, which is called polydipsia, and by excessive urination, which is called polyuria

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30
Q

diabetes mellitus (DM)

A

the insufficient production of insulin or the body’s inability to use insulin efficiently; characterized by high blood glucose, which is called hyperglycemia, and by glucose in the urine, which is called glycosuria

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31
Q

diabetic ketoacidosis

A

a complication of diabetes in which the body produces acidic ketone bodies (waste products) as a result of high blood glucose levels; immediate medical attention is required to reverse this state

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32
Q

diabetic retinopathy

A

a complication of diabetes mellitus that results in damage to the retina of the eye

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33
Q

dwarfism

A

a genetic or medical condition of being abnormally small or short, usually defined as an adult height of 4′10″ (1.47 meters) or less

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34
Q

edema

A

localized or general condition of excessive fluid retention and swelling in body tissues; may be caused by a number of endocrine diseases or conditions

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35
Q

electrolytes

A

electrically charged particles that help maintain homeostasis in the body

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36
Q

endocrine glands

A

glands that secrete hormone directly into the bloodstream

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37
Q

endocrinologist

A

a physician who diagnoses and treats disorders of the endocrine glands

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38
Q

epinephrine

A

a hormone that intensifies stress and triggers the body’s fight-or-flight response, causing increased heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration; also known as adrenaline

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39
Q

estrogen

A

a hormone that stimulates the development of female secondary sex characteristics and regulates the female reproductive system

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40
Q

exocrine glands

A

glands that secrete fluids and hormones via ducts that carry these products to their destinations

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41
Q

exophthalmos

A

an abnormal protrusion of the eyeball, usually due to hyperthyroidism (excessive function of the thyroid gland); increases tissue volume behind the eyes, causing them to bulge

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42
Q

fasting blood sugar (FBS)

A

a test in which blood is measured to determine the glucose levels in a patient’s blood after the patient has not eaten for 12 hours

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43
Q

follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

A

a hormone that helps regulate reproductive processes, including puberty

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44
Q

gigantism

A

the excessive growth of body parts, often due to the hypersecretion of growth hormone

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45
Q

glucagon

A

a hormone that stimulates the liver to increase blood glucose levels, when needed

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46
Q

glucocorticoids

A

hormones involved in metabolizing carbs, proteins, and fats

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47
Q

glucose tolerance test (GTT)

A

a blood test used to determine the body’s response to insulin

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48
Q

gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)

A

a hormone that regulates the release of reproductive hormones in both males and females

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49
Q

Graves’ disease

A

an autoimmune condition that results in hyperthyroidism; characterized by bulging eyeballs and an enlarged thyroid gland

50
Q

growth-hormone-inhibiting hormone (GHIH)

A

a hormone that decreases the production of growth hormone in the pituitary gland

51
Q

growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)

A

a hormone that stimulates the release of growth hormone from the pituitary gland

52
Q

gynecomastia

A

a condition of abnormally large mammary glands in a male

53
Q

hirsutism

A

a condition characterized by excessive growth of hair or presence of body hair in unusual places, especially in women

54
Q

homeostasis

A

a stable state, or equilibrium, among the various organs and systems of the body

55
Q

hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

A

artificial hormone replacement administered orally, intravenously, or topically using transdermal patches; used to correct hyposecretion of hormones, and often used in females to treat symptoms of menopause

56
Q

hormones

A

chemicals that affect body functions

57
Q

human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) tests

A

tests performed to measure human chorionic gonadotropin, which is present in the body when a woman is pregnant; qualitative tests determine the presence of the hormone, quantitative tests are used to diagnose abnormal conditions such as ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage

58
Q

human growth hormone therapy

A

synthetic hormone replacement for human growth hormone; can be used to stimulate skeletal growth in children with short stature

59
Q

hyperparathyroidism

A

the excessive production of PTH that results in degeneration of the bones; also known as von Recklinghausen’s disease of bone.

60
Q

hypothalamus

A

a gland that serves as the control center of the autonomic nervous system, regulating heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and many other involuntary body functions

61
Q

insulin

A

a hormone that helps lower the blood sugar levels in the body

62
Q

insulin replacement therapy

A

natural or synthetic insulin administered to supply needed insulin for patients with type 1 diabetes or severe type 2 diabetes

63
Q

insulinoma

A

a tumor of the beta cells in the islets of Langerhans that causes the beta cells to keep secreting insulin even when a person’s blood glucose is very low

64
Q

islets of Langerhans

A

groups of cells that are located in the interstitial tissue of the pancreas and which carry out the endocrine duties of the pancreas

65
Q

laparoscopic adrenalectomy

A

the surgical removal of the adrenal gland through a small incision in the abdomen using a scope

66
Q

lobectomy

A

the surgical removal of one or more lobes of an organ

67
Q

long-acting thyroid stimulator (LATS) test

A

a thyroid function test used to detect long-acting thyroid stimulator (LATS) in the blood

68
Q

luteinizing hormone (LH)

A

a hormone that stimulates ovulation in females and the production of testosterone in males

69
Q

melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)

A

a hormone that stimulates the pigment melanin

70
Q

melatonin

A

a hormone that regulates the body’s circadian rhythm

71
Q

metabolism

A

the processes by which the body absorbs and uses nutrients

72
Q

mineralocorticoids

A

hormones that help maintain electrolyte balance and regulate blood pressure

73
Q

myxedema

A

a severe form of hypothyroidism that occurs in older children and adults; characterized by puffy skin and swelling of the laryngeal and pharyngeal mucous membranes

74
Q

norepinephrine

A

a hormone that prepares the body for the stress response and acts as a vasoconstrictor by narrowing blood vessels

75
Q

nutritionists

A

specialists in food and nutrition; also known as food scientists

76
Q

obesity

A

an abnormal amount of fat on the body; more than 20 percent over average weight for age, gender, build, and height; usually caused by overeating, but can also be caused by hypothyroidism or Cushing’s syndrome

77
Q

oral hypoglycemic agents

A

drugs taken orally to decrease blood glucose

78
Q

ovaries

A

two oval-shaped organs, located on either side of the uterus, which are the female gonads and secrete estrogen and progesterone

79
Q

oxytocin

A

a hormone that stimulates uterine contractions during childbirth and milk production when a woman is breastfeeding

80
Q

panhypopituitarism

A

a condition characterized by the inadequate secretion, or total lack of secretion, of anterior pituitary hormones

81
Q

parathyroid glands

A

two pairs of tiny, rice-shaped glands that are located behind the “wings” of the thyroid and which secrete parathyroid hormone

82
Q

parathyroid hormone (PTH)

A

a hormone that increases blood calcium levels and stimulates the breakdown of bone

83
Q

parathyroidectomy

A

the surgical removal of one or more of the parathyroid glands

84
Q

peripheral neuropathy

A

damage to the nerves that causes pain and weakness, particularly in the hands and feet; can have many causes, including diabetes and hypothyroidism

85
Q

pheochromocytoma

A

a tumor of the adrenal glands that secretes excess epinephrine and norepinephrine, resulting in pounding headaches, hypertension, palpitations, paleness, and shortness of breath

86
Q

phlebotomists

A

healthcare workers who draw and collect blood for testing, verify patient records, and prepare blood specimens for laboratory analysis

87
Q

pineal gland

A

a small, cone-shaped gland located in the thalamus region of the brain that releases melatonin in response to decreased light levels

88
Q

pituitary gland

A

a pea-sized gland located just below the hypothalamus, which has two lobes; also known as the master gland

89
Q

posterior pituitary

A

the part of the pituitary gland that secretes antidiuretic hormone and produces oxytocin

90
Q

progesterone

A

a hormone that prepares the female body for pregnancy and helps maintain pregnancy

91
Q

prolactin

A

a hormone that stimulates milk production and breast development in females

92
Q

protein-bound iodine test (PBI)

A

a blood test that measures thyroid activity indirectly by determining the amount of protein-bound iodine in the blood

93
Q

radioimmunoassay (RIA)

A

a sensitive blood test in which a radioactive chemical is injected into the patient’s blood to help measure very small concentrations of substances, particularly protein-bound hormones, in blood plasma

94
Q

sex hormones

A

a group of hormones responsible for reproductive and secondary sex characteristics in males and females

95
Q

syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH)

A

the excessive secretion of ADH, which increases blood volume; characterized by increased blood volume, which is called hypervolemia, and by low blood sodium concentration, which is called hyponatremia

96
Q

synthetic antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin)

A

synthetic ADH (vasopressin) administered to treat syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH)

97
Q

synthetic glucocorticoids

A

synthetic versions of glucocorticoid hormones; sometimes used to treat patients with Addison’s disease

98
Q

testes

A

two oval-shaped glands located in the scrotal sac of a male, which are the male gonads and secrete testosterone

99
Q

testosterone

A

a hormone that regulates the secondary sex characteristics in males

100
Q

tetany

A

nervous excitability and muscle spasms caused by PTH deficiency and inadequate calcium levels

101
Q

thymosin

A

a hormone that assists with the development and maturation of immune cells

102
Q

thyroid and/or parathyroid ultrasound

A

an ultrasound test of the thyroid and/or parathyroid glands; used to check the sizes of these glands or to determine whether a lump is a simple cyst or a solid tumor

103
Q

thyroid function test (TFT)

A

a panel of tests used to determine how well the thyroid is functioning

104
Q

thyroid gland

A

a butterfly-shaped that is located in the throat and which regulates metabolism by releasing triiodothyronine and thyroxine

105
Q

thyroid replacement therapy

A

thyroid hormones administered to treat hypothyroidism; also prescribed for patients who have had a thyroidectomy

106
Q

thyroid scan

A

a test in which a patient swallows or is injected intravenously with radioactive iodine or technetium, which is then observed with a scanning camera to record the accumulation of the radioactive chemical as it moves into the thyroid

107
Q

thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

A

a hormone that is released by the pituitary gland and regulates thyroid function

108
Q

thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test

A

a thyroid function test that measures the amount of TSH in the blood; considered to be the most accurate measure of thyroid activity

109
Q

thyroidectomy

A

the surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid gland

110
Q

thyrotoxicosis

A

a general term for a group of conditions caused by increases in T3 and T4 in the blood

111
Q

thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)

A

a hormone that controls the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone

112
Q

thyroxine (T4)

A

a hormone that controls metabolism and body temperature

113
Q

thyroxine (T4) test

A

a thyroid function test that measures the amounts of T4 in the blood

114
Q

thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) test

A

a thyroid function test that measures the levels of thyroxine-binding globulin in the blood

115
Q

triiodothyronine (T3)

A

a hormone that controls metabolism and body temperature

116
Q

triiodothyronine (T3) test

A

a thyroid function test that measures the amounts of T3 in the blood

117
Q

triiodothyronine resin uptake (T3RU) test

A

a thyroid function test that measures the amounts of T4 in the blood by testing for levels of T3RU

118
Q

tropins

A

hormones that help control the release of other hormones in the body; also known as tropic hormones

119
Q

type 1 diabetes

A

diabetes mellitus in which insulin secretion is deficient due to abnormalities in the islets of Langerhans, causing hyperglycemia; also known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM)

120
Q

type 2 diabetes

A

diabetes mellitus in which insulin production may be normal, but the body cannot use the insulin efficiently, nor can it increase insulin production sufficiently to compensate; also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM)

medical terminology (27 decks)

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