unit 11 (endocrine) - medical vocabulary Flashcards
acidosis
an increase in the acidity of blood; body fluids, and tissues due to an excess of hydrogen ions
acromegaly
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
Addison’s disease
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
adenocarcinoma
a malignant tumor of a gland or mucus-secreting organ, including cancers of the pancreas, lung, prostate, colon, and esophagus
adrenal cortex
the outer layer of an adrenal gland
adrenal feminization
the pathological development of female secondary sex characteristics in a male
adrenal glands
two glands, one located on each kidney, that are responsible for the body’s adrenaline rush; each adrenal gland has two layers
adrenal medulla
the inner layer of an adrenal gland
adrenal virilism
the presence or development of male secondary sex characteristics in a female
adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
a hormone that controls adrenal gland function, influencing the production of cortisol
aldosterone
a hormone that regulates body pressure, electrolyte concentrations, and fluid volume in the body
alpha cells
one group of the islets of Langerhans, which are responsible for secreting glucagon
anterior pituitary
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
antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
a hormone that stimulates the kidneys to retain water and constricts blood vessels
antithyroid agents
drugs that block the production of thyroid hormones; used to treat hyperthyroidism that is caused by Graves’ disease
beta cells
one group of the islets of Langerhans, which are responsible for the release of insulin
blood serum tests
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
calcitonin
a hormone that stimulates the deposit of calcium into bone and lowers blood calcium levels
catecholamines
a class of hormones that are released during times of stress, creating an adrenaline rush
catecholamines tests
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
certified diabetes educator (CDE)
a person who is trained to provide a clear explanation of diabetes, including steps that the patient must take to manage the disease
circadian rhythm
the body’s 24-hour sleep-and-waking cycle
corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)
a hormone that increases production of adrenocorticotropic hormone in the pituitary gland
cortisol
a hormone that regulates blood glucose levels and helps metabolize carbohydrates, proteins, and fats
cortisone
a hormone that regulates blood glucose levels
cretinism
congenital hypothyroidism due to lack of thyroid hormone secretion; characterized by delayed or abnormal physical and mental development
Cushing’s syndrome
a condition resulting from the hypersecretion of cortisol; may be caused by a tumor or prolonged use of steroids
deoxycorticosterone
a hormone that serves as a building block for aldosterone
diabetes insipidus (DI)
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
diabetes mellitus (DM)
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
diabetic ketoacidosis
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
diabetic retinopathy
a complication of diabetes mellitus that results in damage to the retina of the eye
dwarfism
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
edema
localized or general condition of excessive fluid retention and swelling in body tissues; may be caused by a number of endocrine diseases or conditions
electrolytes
electrically charged particles that help maintain homeostasis in the body
endocrine glands
glands that secrete hormone directly into the bloodstream
endocrinologist
a physician who diagnoses and treats disorders of the endocrine glands
epinephrine
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
estrogen
a hormone that stimulates the development of female secondary sex characteristics and regulates the female reproductive system
exocrine glands
glands that secrete fluids and hormones via ducts that carry these products to their destinations
exophthalmos
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
fasting blood sugar (FBS)
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
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
a hormone that helps regulate reproductive processes, including puberty
gigantism
the excessive growth of body parts, often due to the hypersecretion of growth hormone
glucagon
a hormone that stimulates the liver to increase blood glucose levels, when needed
glucocorticoids
hormones involved in metabolizing carbs, proteins, and fats
glucose tolerance test (GTT)
a blood test used to determine the body’s response to insulin
gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
a hormone that regulates the release of reproductive hormones in both males and females
Graves’ disease
an autoimmune condition that results in hyperthyroidism; characterized by bulging eyeballs and an enlarged thyroid gland
growth-hormone-inhibiting hormone (GHIH)
a hormone that decreases the production of growth hormone in the pituitary gland
growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)
a hormone that stimulates the release of growth hormone from the pituitary gland
gynecomastia
a condition of abnormally large mammary glands in a male
hirsutism
a condition characterized by excessive growth of hair or presence of body hair in unusual places, especially in women
homeostasis
a stable state, or equilibrium, among the various organs and systems of the body
hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
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
hormones
chemicals that affect body functions
human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) tests
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
human growth hormone therapy
synthetic hormone replacement for human growth hormone; can be used to stimulate skeletal growth in children with short stature
hyperparathyroidism
the excessive production of PTH that results in degeneration of the bones; also known as von Recklinghausen’s disease of bone.
hypothalamus
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
insulin
a hormone that helps lower the blood sugar levels in the body
insulin replacement therapy
natural or synthetic insulin administered to supply needed insulin for patients with type 1 diabetes or severe type 2 diabetes
insulinoma
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
islets of Langerhans
groups of cells that are located in the interstitial tissue of the pancreas and which carry out the endocrine duties of the pancreas
laparoscopic adrenalectomy
the surgical removal of the adrenal gland through a small incision in the abdomen using a scope
lobectomy
the surgical removal of one or more lobes of an organ
long-acting thyroid stimulator (LATS) test
a thyroid function test used to detect long-acting thyroid stimulator (LATS) in the blood
luteinizing hormone (LH)
a hormone that stimulates ovulation in females and the production of testosterone in males
melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)
a hormone that stimulates the pigment melanin
melatonin
a hormone that regulates the body’s circadian rhythm
metabolism
the processes by which the body absorbs and uses nutrients
mineralocorticoids
hormones that help maintain electrolyte balance and regulate blood pressure
myxedema
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
norepinephrine
a hormone that prepares the body for the stress response and acts as a vasoconstrictor by narrowing blood vessels
nutritionists
specialists in food and nutrition; also known as food scientists
obesity
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
oral hypoglycemic agents
drugs taken orally to decrease blood glucose
ovaries
two oval-shaped organs, located on either side of the uterus, which are the female gonads and secrete estrogen and progesterone
oxytocin
a hormone that stimulates uterine contractions during childbirth and milk production when a woman is breastfeeding
panhypopituitarism
a condition characterized by the inadequate secretion, or total lack of secretion, of anterior pituitary hormones
parathyroid glands
two pairs of tiny, rice-shaped glands that are located behind the “wings” of the thyroid and which secrete parathyroid hormone
parathyroid hormone (PTH)
a hormone that increases blood calcium levels and stimulates the breakdown of bone
parathyroidectomy
the surgical removal of one or more of the parathyroid glands
peripheral neuropathy
damage to the nerves that causes pain and weakness, particularly in the hands and feet; can have many causes, including diabetes and hypothyroidism
pheochromocytoma
a tumor of the adrenal glands that secretes excess epinephrine and norepinephrine, resulting in pounding headaches, hypertension, palpitations, paleness, and shortness of breath
phlebotomists
healthcare workers who draw and collect blood for testing, verify patient records, and prepare blood specimens for laboratory analysis
pineal gland
a small, cone-shaped gland located in the thalamus region of the brain that releases melatonin in response to decreased light levels
pituitary gland
a pea-sized gland located just below the hypothalamus, which has two lobes; also known as the master gland
posterior pituitary
the part of the pituitary gland that secretes antidiuretic hormone and produces oxytocin
progesterone
a hormone that prepares the female body for pregnancy and helps maintain pregnancy
prolactin
a hormone that stimulates milk production and breast development in females
protein-bound iodine test (PBI)
a blood test that measures thyroid activity indirectly by determining the amount of protein-bound iodine in the blood
radioimmunoassay (RIA)
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
sex hormones
a group of hormones responsible for reproductive and secondary sex characteristics in males and females
syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH)
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
synthetic antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin)
synthetic ADH (vasopressin) administered to treat syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH)
synthetic glucocorticoids
synthetic versions of glucocorticoid hormones; sometimes used to treat patients with Addison’s disease
testes
two oval-shaped glands located in the scrotal sac of a male, which are the male gonads and secrete testosterone
testosterone
a hormone that regulates the secondary sex characteristics in males
tetany
nervous excitability and muscle spasms caused by PTH deficiency and inadequate calcium levels
thymosin
a hormone that assists with the development and maturation of immune cells
thyroid and/or parathyroid ultrasound
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
thyroid function test (TFT)
a panel of tests used to determine how well the thyroid is functioning
thyroid gland
a butterfly-shaped that is located in the throat and which regulates metabolism by releasing triiodothyronine and thyroxine
thyroid replacement therapy
thyroid hormones administered to treat hypothyroidism; also prescribed for patients who have had a thyroidectomy
thyroid scan
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
thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
a hormone that is released by the pituitary gland and regulates thyroid function
thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test
a thyroid function test that measures the amount of TSH in the blood; considered to be the most accurate measure of thyroid activity
thyroidectomy
the surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid gland
thyrotoxicosis
a general term for a group of conditions caused by increases in T3 and T4 in the blood
thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)
a hormone that controls the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone
thyroxine (T4)
a hormone that controls metabolism and body temperature
thyroxine (T4) test
a thyroid function test that measures the amounts of T4 in the blood
thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) test
a thyroid function test that measures the levels of thyroxine-binding globulin in the blood
triiodothyronine (T3)
a hormone that controls metabolism and body temperature
triiodothyronine (T3) test
a thyroid function test that measures the amounts of T3 in the blood
triiodothyronine resin uptake (T3RU) test
a thyroid function test that measures the amounts of T4 in the blood by testing for levels of T3RU
tropins
hormones that help control the release of other hormones in the body; also known as tropic hormones
type 1 diabetes
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)
type 2 diabetes
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)
