| A | B |
|---|
| Endocrine glands | Ductless internally secreting glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream |
| Exocrine glands | Glands that secrete hormones to the outside of the body (sweat, mammary, mucous, salivary, lacrimal glands) |
| Achondroplasia | Defective cartilage formation that affects bone growth |
| Adenectomy | Removal of a gland |
| Adrenal glands | Small endocrine glands situated in the retroperitoneal tissues at the cranial pole of each kidney; also called suprarenal glands |
| Adenohypophysis | Anterior lobe of the pituitary gland (endocrine gland located at the base of the brain) that secretes growth hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, prolactin, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone that regulate the thyroid, gonads, adrenal cortex, and other endocrine glands |
| Adrenal cortex | The outer section of each adrenal gland |
| Adrenalectomy | Removal of an adrenal gland |
| Adrenaline | Produced by the adrenal medulla; also called epinephrine; increases heart rate and blood pressure |
| Adrenal medulla | The inner section of each adrenal gland |
| Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) | Produced by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland (adenohypophysis); stimulates the adrenal cortex to release its hormones |
| Adrenopathy | Disease of adrenal glands |
| Aldosterone | Produced by the adrenal cortex; increases salt (sodium) reabsorption by the kidney tubules |
| Androgen | Male hormone produced by the testes and to a lesser extent by the adrenal cortex (example: testosterone) |
| Antidiuretic hormone | Secreted by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland (neurohypophysis); causes water to be retained in the body; decreases urine; ADH increases reabsorption of water by the kidney and is also known as vasopressin |
| Calcitonin | Produced by the thyroid gland; lowers blood calcium; also called thyrocalcitonin |
| Catecholamines | Hormones derived from an amino acid and secreted by the adrenal medulla; epinephrine is a catecholamine |
| Corticosteroids | Any of the hormones (steroids) produced by the adrenal cortex; glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids are examples |
| Cortisol | Produced by the adrenal cortex; increases blood sugar |
| Electrolyte | A mineral salt found in the blood and tissues and necessary for proper functioning of cells; potassium, sodium, and calcium are examples |
| Endocrinologist | Specialist in diagnosis and treatment of endocrine gland disorders |
| Epinephrine | Hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla; raises blood pressure, increases heart rate, and dilates airways; also called adrenaline |
| Estradiol | An estrogen (female hormone) produced by the ovaries; develops and maintains female sex characteristics |
| Erythropoietin | Hormone secreted by the kidneys which stimulates the production of red blood cells |
| Estrogen | Female hormone produced by the ovaries and to a lesser extent by the adrenal cortex; a generic term for estrus-producing compounds; the female sex hormones include estradiol, estriol, and estrone |
| Gastrointestinal tract hormones | Gastrin, secretin, and cholecystokinan |
| Estrogenic | Pertaining to producing female characteristics |
| Esophthalmia/Exophthalmos | Protrusion of the eyeballs |
| Euthyroid | Normal thyroid function |
| Glycemic | Pertains to sugar in the blood |
| Follicle-stimulating hormone | Hormone produced by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland (adenohypophysis); FHS stimulates hormone secretion and egg production by the ovaries and sperm production by the testes |
| Glucagon | Hormone produced by the islet cells of the pancreas that causes sugar to be released into the bloodstream when blood sugar levels are low (by conversion of glycogen to glucose) |
| Glucocorticoid | Hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex; necessary for use of sugars, fats, and proteins by the body and for the body's normal response to stress (cortisol is an example) |
| Glycogen | Animal starch; produced from sugar by the liver |
| Glycosuria | Condition of excess sugar in the urine |
| Goiter | Enlargement of the thyroid gland |
| Endemic goiter | Enlarged thyroid occurring in certain regions and peoples as a result of deficiency of iodine in the diet |
| Gonadotropin | Hormone that is secreted from the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland and acts on the gonads (examples are FSH and LH) |
| Exophthalmometry | A test that measures the extent of eyeball protrusion, as evidenced in Graves disease |
| Gigantism | Hyperfunctioning of the pituitary gland before puberty, leading to abnormal overgrowth of the body |
| Growth hormone (GH) | Produced by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland (adenohypophysis); the hormone acts on bone tissue to accelerate its growth in the body; stimulates the growth of bones and tissues |
| Homeostasis | State of equilibrium of the body's internal environment |
| Glucose Tolerance Test | Test that measures the glucose levels in the blood sample for a fasting patient and in specimens taken 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, and 3 hours after ingestion of glucose; a test for diabetes mellitus |
| Hormonal | Pertaining to hormones |
| Hormone | A substance that is produced by an endocrine gland and that travels through the blood to a distant organ or gland where it acts to modify the structure or function of that gland or organ |
| Hypercalcemia | Increased calcium in the blood |
| Hypoglycemia | Blood condition of decreased sugar |
| Hyperglycemia | Blood condition of increased sugar |
| Hypocalcemia | Deficiency of calcium in the blood |
| Hypophysis | Pituitary gland |
| Hypogonadism | Condition of decreased function of the gonads, with decreased growth and sexual development |
| Hypoinsulinism | Condition of deficient insulin |
| Hypokalemia | Low levels of potassium in the blood; can occur in dehydration and with excessive vomiting and diarrhea; also called hypopotassemia |
| Hyponatremia | Deficiency of sodium in the blood; salt depletion |
| Hypophysectomy | Removal of the pituitary gland |
| Hypopituitarism | Condition resulting from decreased secretion by the pituitary gland |
| Hypothalamus | A region of the brain that lies below the thalamus and above the pituitary gland; produces released factors that stimulate the pituitary gland to release hormones |
| Insulin | A double-chain protein hormone formed from proinsulin in the beta cells of the pancreatic islets of Langerhans that helps transport glucose to cells and decreases blood sugar; the major fuel-regulating hormone, it is secreted into the blood in response to a rise in concentration of blood glucose or amino acids; it promotes the storage of glucose and the uptake of amino acids, increases protein and lipid synthesis, and inhibits lipolysis and gluconeogenesis |
| Luteinizing Hormone | Produced by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland (adenohypophysis); stimulates ovulation in females and testosterone secretion in males |
| Melanocyte-stimulating hormone | Produced by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland (adenohypophysis); high levels of MSH increase pigmentation of the skin |
| Mineralocorticoid | Steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex to regulate the mineral salts (electrolytes) and water balance in the body |
| Myxedema | Condition of mucus-like swelling of the face and soft tissues; due to hyposecretion of the thyroid gland in adults; advanced hypothyroidism in adulthood |
| Neurohypophysis | The posterior lobe of the pituitary gland, whose cells serve as a reservoir for hormones having antidiuretic and oxytocic action, releasing them as needed |
| Norepinephrine | Produced by the adrenal medulla; also called noradrenaline; it constricts vessels and increases heart rate and blood pressure |
| Oxytocin | Hormone secreted by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland; stimulates contraction of the uterus during labor and childbirth |
| Pancreas | Endocrine gland behind the stomach; the Islet cells (Islets of Langerhans) secrete hormones from the pancreas |
| Pancreatectomy | Removal of the pancreas |
| Parathormone | Produced by the parathyroid gland; increases blood calcium |
| Parathyroidectomy | Removal of the parathyroid glands |
| Parathyroid glands | Four small endocrine glands on the posterior side of the thyroid gland, responsible for maintaining calcium levels in the body |
| Pineal gland | Located in the central portion of the brain and secretes a substance called melatonin, which contributes to the process of skin pigmentation in lower animals such as frogs and fishes; in mammals melatonin affects the brain and influences the rate of gonad (ovary and testis) maturation |
| Pituitary gland | The hypophysis; an endocrine gland located at the base of the brain in a small recess of the sphenoid bone called the sella turcica; composed of an anterior (adenohypophysis) and a posterior (neurohypophysis) lobe |
| Polydipsia | Condition of excessive thirst; symptom associated with both diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus |
| Receptor | A molecule on the surface or within a cell that recognizes and binds with specific molecules, producing some effect in the cell |
| Testes | Two endocrine glands enclosed in the scrotal sac of a male; responsible for sperm production and testosterone secretion |
| Progesterone | Produced by the ovaries; prepares the uterus for pregnancy |
| Prolactin (PRL) | Hormone secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland (adenohypophysis) that promotes the growth of breast tissue and stimulates milk production |
| Sella turcica | The cavity in the skull that contains the pituitary gland |
| Somatotropin | The growth hormone; produced by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland (adenohypophysis) |
| Steroid | Complex substance related to fats (derived from a sterol, such as cholesterol) and of which many hormones are made (examples include estrogens, androgens, glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids) |
| Sympathomimetic | Pertaining to mimicking or copying the effect of the sympathetic nervous system; adrenaline is a sympathomimetic hormone (raises blood pressure and heart rate and dilates airways) |
| Testosterone | Male hormone produced by the testes; promotes growth and maintenance of male sex characteristics |
| Tetraiodothyronine (T4) | Produced by the thyroid gland; increases metabolism in cells; thyroid gland hormone containins 4 atoms of iodine; thyroxine |
| Thyroid gland | The largest of the endocrine glands, situated in the front and sides of the neck just below the thyroid cartilage; produces hormones that are vital in maintaining normal growth and metabolism; it also serves as a storehouse for iodine |
| Thymus gland | A ductless glandlike body lying in the upper mediastinum beneath the sternum, which reaches its maximum development during puberty and continues to play an immunologic role throughout life, even though its function declines with age; produces thymosin, a hormone important in the devleopment of immune responses in newborns |
| Thyroiditis | Inflammation of the thyroid gland |
| Thyrotropin | Hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates the thyroid gland |
| Thymosin | A humoral (fluid; semifluid) factor secreted by the thymus, which promotes the maturation of T-lymphocytes; helps in development of immune responses in newborns; maintains immune system functions |
| Thyroxine | Produced by the thyroid gland; increases metabolism in cells; iodine is present in thyroxine |
| Triiodothyronine (T3) | Hormone produced by the thyroid gland; increases metabolism in cells; has several times the biologic activity of thyroxine; thyroid gland hormone containing 3 atoms of iodine |
| Vasopressin | Secreted by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland (neurohypophysis); also called antidiuretic hormone |
| Acromegaly | Enlargement of the extremities caused by hypersecretion of the anterior pituitary after puberty |
| Addison disease | Hypofunctioning of the adrenal cortex |
| Adrenal virilism | Excessive output of adrenal androgens in adult women; symptoms include amenorrhea, hirsutism, acne, and deepening of the voice |
| Cretinism | Extreme hypothyroidism during infancy and childhood leading to a lack of normal physical and mental growth; skeletal growth is more inhibited than soft tissue growth, so the cretin has the appearance of an obese, short, and stocky child |
| Cushing Syndrome | A group of symptoms produced by excess of cortisol from the adrenal cortex (excessive secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone--ACTH--from the pituitary gland) |
| Colloid | Gluelike or gelatinous material |
| Diabetes insipidus | Rare condition of insufficient secretion of antidiuretic hormones (vasopressin); insipidus means tasteless, reflecting the condition of dilute urine |
| Diabetes Mellitus Type I | Rapid onset in childhood; little or no insulin production; insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM); lack of insulin secretion or resistance of insulin to promote sugar, starch, and fat metabolism in cells |
| Diabetes Mellitus Type II | Lack of insulin secretion or resistance of insulin to promote sugar, starch, and fat metabolism in cells; usually occurs after age 30; gradual onset; insulin usually present; non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) |
| Dwarfism | Congenital hyposecretion of growth hormone; children affected are normal mentally, but their bones remain small and underdeveloped |
| Graves Disease | Most common form of hyperthyroidism; also called thyrotoxicosis; metabolic rate in cells is increased, leading to goiter and exophthalmia; thought to be an immunological disorder |
| Hirsutism | Excessive hair on the face and body |
| Gynecomastia | Excessive development of mammary tissue in a male |
| Hyperinsulinism | Excessive secretion of insulin causing hypoglycemia |
| Hyperparathyroidism | Excessive production of parathormone |
| Hypoparathyroidism | Deficient production of parathyroid hormone |
| Hypothyroidism | Underactivity of the thyroid gland |
| Isthmus | A narrow connecting strip |
| Ketoacidosis | Fats are improperly burned, leading to an accumulation of ketones in the body |
| Nodular Goiter | Type of goiter where hyperplasia occurs as well as nodules and adenomas; also called adenomatous goiter |
| Panhypopituitarism | Condition of deficient secretion of all hormones from the pituitary gland |
| Osteitis Fibrosa Cystica | Inflammation of bones with fibrous degeneration and the formation of cysts and the presence of fibrous nodules on the affected bones, due to osteoclastic activity secondary to hyperparathyroidism |
| Pheochromocytoma | Tumoer of the adrenal medulla--tumor cells stain a dark or dusky color |
| Radioactive Iodine Uptake | Radioactive iodine is administered orally, and its uptake into the thyroid gland is measured as evidence of thyroid function |
| Radioimmunoassay | Test that measures hormone levels in plasma; the test is based on the ability of antibodies to bind specifically to radioactively labeled hormone molecules and to nonradioactively labeled molecules |
| Syndrome of Inappropriate ADH | Excessive secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH); hypersecretion of ADH produces excess water retention in the body |
| Tetany | Constant muscle contraction |
| Somatotropin | Hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland; stimulates growth of bones and tissues (growth hormone) |
| Thyroid carcinoma | Cancer of the thyroid gland |
| Thyroid function tests | Tests measure the levels of T4 and T3 and TSH in the bloodstream |
| Thyroid scan | A radioactive compound is administered and localized in the thyroid gland. The gland is then visualized with a scanner device to detect tumors or nodules. |
| Thyrotoxicosis | Condition of increased secretion from the thyroid gland with symptoms such as sweating, rapid pulse, tremors, and exophthalmos |
| K | Potassium |
| FSH | Follicle-stimulating hormone |
| ADH | Antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin) |
| LH | Luteinizing hormone |
| Na | Sodium |
| RIA | Radioimmunoassay |
| MSH | Melanocyte-stimulating hormone |
| GH | Growth hormone |
| DI | Diabetes insipidus |
| TSH | Thyroid-stimulating hormone |
| GTT | Glucose tolerance test |
| IDDM | Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (Type 1) |
| NIDDM | Noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus |
