Chapter 16 Endocrine System
LH
luteinizing hormone
isthmus
narrow strip of tissue connecting two larger parts in the body, such as the isthmus that connects the two lobes of the thyroid gland
euglycemia
normal level of sugar in the blood
sestamibi parathyroid scan
nuclear medicine procedure used to localize hyperactive parathyroid glands. The glands that take up an abnormal amount of radioactive substances are identified and selected for surgical removal; the other parathyroid glands may be left in place.
radioactive iodine uptake
nuclear medicine scan that measures thyroid function, particularly when distinguishing different causes of hyperthyroidism. Radioactive iodine is given to the patient orally, after which the amount of its uptake into the thyroid gland is measured. Images of the gland can be obtained using this procedure.
adrenal glands
paired glands, one of which is located superior to each kidney. The outer portion is called the adrenal cortex, and the inner portion is called the adrenal medulla. The following hormones are secreted by the adrenal glands.
parathyroid/o
parathyroid glands
cortical
pertaining to the cortex
endocrinologist
physician who studies and treats diseases of the endocrine
pituitar/o
pituitary gland
fasting blood sugar
blood test to determine the amount of glucose in the blood after fasting for 8-10 hours. Elevation may indicated diabetes mellitus.
glycosylated hemoglobin
blood test used to diagnose diabetes and monitor its treatment by measuring the amount of glucose bound to hemoglobin in the blood. HbA1C provides an indication of blood sugar level over the past three months, covering the 120-day lifespan.
calc/i
calcium
hormone
chemical substance secreted by an endocrine gland that is carried in the blood to a target tissue
diabetes mellitus
chronic disease involving a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism caused by under-activity of the insulin-producing islet of Langerhans and characterized by elevated blood sugar. DM can cause chronic renal disease, retinopathy, and neuropathy. In extreme cases the patient may develop ketosis, acidosis, and finally coma.
hypercalcemia
excessive calcium in the blood
adrenocorticohyperplasia
excessive development of the adrenal cortex
hyperkalemia
excessive potassium in the blood
hyperglycemia
excessive sugar in the blood
adrenalectomy
excision of the adrenal glands
pancreatectomy
excision of the pancreas
parathyroidectomy
excision of the parathyroid glands
thryoidectomy
excision of the thyroid gland
acr/o
extremities, height
FBS
fasting blood sugar
FNA
fine needle aspiration
FSH
follicle-stimulating hormone
parathyroid glands
four small bodies embedded in the posterior aspect of the lobes of the thyroid gland. Parathyroid hormone, the hormone produced by the glands, helps maintain the level of calcium in the blood by its effects on bone and kidneys.
HbA1C
glycosylated hemoglobin
Cushing syndrome
group of signs and symptoms attributed to the excessive production of cortisol by the adrenal cortices. This syndrome may be the result of a pituitary tumor that produces ACTH or a primary adrenal cortex hypersecretion. Signs include abnormally pigmented skin, "moon face," pads of fat on the chest and abdomen, "buffalo hump" (fat on the upper back), wasting away of muscle, and hypertension.
metabolic syndrome
group of signs and symptoms including insulin resistance, obesity characterized by excessive fat around the area of the waist and abdomen, hypertension, hyperglycemia, elevated triglycerides, and low levels of the "good" cholesterol HDL. Risks include development of type 2 diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, or stroke.
GH
growth hormone
kal/i
potassium
anterior lobe
produces and secretes the following hormones
PRL
prolactin
prolactin
promotes development of glandular tissue during pregnancy and produces milk after birth of an infant.
RAIU
radioactive iodine uptake
growth hormone
regulates the growth of the body
euthyroid
resembling a normal thyroid gland
corticoid
resembling the cortex
diabetes insipidus
result of decreased secretion of antidiuretic hormone by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland. Symptoms include excessive thirst, large amounts of urine, and water being excreted from the body.
syndrome
run together
-drome
run, running
aldosterone
secreted by the adrenal cortex. Electrolytes that are necessary for normal body function are regulated by this hormone.
cortisol
secreted by the adrenal cortex. It aids the body during stress by increasing glucose levels to provide energy.
epinephrine, norepinephrine
secreted by the adrenal medulla. These hormones help the body to deal with stress by increasing the blood pressure, heartbeat, and respirations. (also called adrenalin and noradrenaline, respectively)
ketoacidosis
serious condition resulting from uncontrolled diabetes mellitus in which acid ketones accumulate from fat metabolism in the absence of adequate insulin. If not promptly controlled by adequate insulin and hydration, can progress to coma and death.
natr/o
sodium
hypopituitarism
state of deficient pituitary gland activity
hypothyroidism
state of deficient thyroid gland activity
hyperparathyroidism
state of excessive parathyroid gland activity
hyperpituitarism
state of excessive pituitary gland activity
hyperthyroidism
state of excessive thyroid gland activity
panhypopituitarism
state of total deficient pituitary gland activity
gonadotropic hormones
stimulate the gonads (the testes in males and ovaries in females). Follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormones are the gonadotropic hormones released from the adenohypophysis.
adrenocorticotropic hormone
stimulates the adrenal cortex
antidiuretic hormone
stimulates the kidney to reabsorb water and constricts blood vessels to help maintain blood pressure.
thyroid-stimulating hormone
stimulates the thyroid gland
oxytocin
stimulates uterine contractions during labor and postpartum, and milk let down by the breasts postpartum
posterior lobe
stores and releases antidiuretic hormone and oxytocin
endocrinology
study of the endocrine
glycemia
sugar in the blood
metabolism
sum total of all the chemical process that take place in a living organism.
dips/o
thirst
thyr/o, thyroid/o
thyroid gland
TSH
thyroid-stimulating hormone
T4
thyroxine level
parathyroidoma
tumor of a parathyroid gland
incretins
a group of hormones produced by the gastrointestinal system that stimulate the release of insulin from the pancreas and help preserve the beta cells. Incretin memetics are medications that copy this action and help control blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
exophthalmos
abnormal protrusion of the eyeball
polydipsia
abnormal state of much thrist
adren/o, adrenal/o
adrenal glands
ACTH
adrenocorticotropic hormone
ADH
antidiuretic hormone
pituitary gland
approximately the size of a pea and located at the base of the brain. The pituitary is divided into two lobes. It is often referred to as the master gland because it produces hormones that stimulate the function of other endocrine glands.
Graves disease
autoimmune disorder of the thyroid gland characterized by the production of many thyroid hormone than the body needs, goiter, and exophthalmos (abnormal protrusion of the eyeballs)
fine needle aspiration
biopsy technique that uses a narrow hollow needle to obtain tiny amounts of tissue for pathologic examination. Thyroid nodules are frequently biopsied using FNA.
thyroxine level
blood test that gives the direct measurement of the amount of thyroxine in the patient's blood. A greater-than-normal amount indicates hyperthyroidism; a less-than-normal amount indicates hypothyroidism.
thyroid-stimulating hormone level
blood test that measures the amount of thyroid stimulating hormone in the blood; used to diagnose hypothyroidism and to monitor patients on thyroid replacement therapy.
Addison disease
chronic syndrome resulting from a deficiency in the hormonal secretion of the adrenal cortex. Signs and symptoms may include weakness, weigh loss, hypotension, darkening of the skin, and loss of appetite.
Islets of Langerhans
clusters of endocrine tissue found throughout the pancreas, made up of different cell types that secrete various hormones, including insulin and glucagon. Non-endocrine cells found throughout the pancreas produce enzymes that facilitate digestion.
tetany
condition affecting nerves causing muscle spasms as a result of low amounts of calcium in the blood caused by a deficiency of the parathyroid hormone.
gigantism
condition brought about by hypersecretion of growth hormone by the pituitary gland before puberty.
congenital hypothyrodism
condition caused by congenital absence or atrophy of the thyroid gland, resulting in hypothyroidism. The disease is characterized by puffy features, mental deficiency, large tongue, and dwarfism.
thyrotoxicosis
condition caused by excessive thyroid balance.
myxedema
condition resulting from an extreme deficiency of the thyroid hormone thyroxine; a severe form of hypothyroidism in an adult. Signs include puffiness of the face and hands, coarse and thickened skin enlarged tongue,, slow speech, and anemia.
coritc/o
cortex
hypocalcemia
deficient calcium in the blood
hypokalemia
deficient potassium in the blood
hyponatremia
deficient sodium in the blood
hypoglycemia
deficient sugar in the blood
DI
diabetes insipidus
DM
diabetes mellitus
DKA
diabetic ketoacidosis
adrenopathy
disease of the adrenal gland
endocrinopathy
disease of the endocrine system
endocrine/o
endocrine
adenomegaly
enlargement of the adrenal glands
acromegaly
enlargement of the extremities
goiter
enlargement of the thyroid gland. May be caused by autoimmune diseases of the thyroid.
adrenalitis
inflammation of the adrenal glands
thyroiditis
inflammation of the thyroid gland
thyroid gland
largest endocrine gland. It is located anteriorly in the neck below the larynx and comprises bilateral lobes connected by an isthmus. The thyroid triiodothyronine and thyroxine which require iodine for their production. Thyroxine is necessary for body cell metabolism.
hypothalamus
located superior to the pituitary gland in the brain. The hypothalamus secretes "releasing" hormones that function to stimulate or inhibit the release of pituitary gland hormones.
pheochromacytoma
tumor of the adrenal medulla, which is usually non-malignant and characterized by hypertension headaches, palpitations diaphoresis chest pain, and abdominal pain. Surgical removal of the tumor is the most common treatment. Though usually curable with early detection, it can be fatal if untreated.
T2DM
type 2 diabetes mellitus
thyroid sonography
ultrasound test of the thyroid gland used to help determine whether a thyroid nodule is likely benign or possibly malignant, including whether it is cystic or solid. Also used to help guide a fine needle aspiration biopsy.
