LOM Ch 18

target tissue

cells of an organ that are affected or stimulated by specific hormones

electrolyte

chemical element that carries an electrical charge when dissolved in water. Examples are sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) and chloride (Cl-).

steroid

complex substance related to fat (sterols; many hormones are steroids (estrogens, androgens, cortisol, aldosterone))

hypogonadism

deficient functioning of the gonads (ovaries or testes).

hypoinsulinism

deficient production of insulin (pancreatic hormone).

hypopituitarism

deficient secretion of hormones from the pituitary gland.

sella turcica

depression in the sphenoid bone at the base of the skull; location of the pituitary gland.

adrenopathy

disease of the adrenal gland

pituitary gland

endocrine gland at the base of the brain; secretes many hormones that stimulate growth of bones and influence other glands such as thyroid, adrenal, sex glands (ovaries and testes); sometimes called the "master gland"

thyroid gland

endocrine gland in the neck on either side of the trachea; secretes the hormone thyroxine (T4);

estradiol

estrogen (female hormone) secreted by the ovaries

polydipsia

excessive thirst

pancreatectomy

excision of pancreas

parathyroid glands

four small endocrine glands on the posterior (dorsal) region of the thyroid gland

pancreas

gland under and behind the stomach; produces enzymes to digest foods and secretes the hormone insulin to transport sugar to cells.

hypercalcemia

high levels of calcium in the blood

hypercalciuria

high levels of calcium in urine

hyperglycemia

high levels of sugar in the bloodstream; often associated with diabetes mellitus

insulin

hormone secreted by specialized cells in the pancreas. Insulin facilitates transport of sugar from the blood in body cells.

aldosterone

hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex; regulates salt and water balance

mineralocorticoid

hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex; regulates salts (electrolytes) and water balance in the body. Aldosterone is an example.

cortisol

hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex; regulates the use of sugars, fats, and proteins in cells. Cortisol raises blood sugar.

adrenaline

hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla; epinephrine.

norepinephrine

hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla; increases blood pressure as part of the fight or flight reaction. It is a sympathomimetic.

epinephrine

hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla; increases heart rate and blood pressure.

gonadotropin

hormone secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland and acting on the ovaries or testes.

somatotropin

hormone secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland; stimulates growth of bones and tissues (growth hormone).

progesterone

hormone secreted by the ovaries; maintains the lining of the uterus during pregnancy

triiodothyronine

hormone secreted by the thryroid gland (contains three atoms of iodine); stimulates body metabolism; (T3)

thyroxine

hormone secreted by the thyroid gland to increase body metabolism (T4)

calcitonin

hormone secreted by the thyroid gland; lowers calcium levels in the blood.

androgen

hormone that stimulates development of male secondary sex characteristics, such as beard growth and deepening of voice

corticosteroids

hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex; cortisol and aldosterone are examples.

catecholamines

hormones secreted by the adrenal medulla; epinephrine (adrenaline) is an example.

thyroiditis

inflammation of the thyroid gland

adrenal medulla

inner section (medulla) of each adrenal gland; secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine

hyponatremia

low level of sodium ions in the blood

hypocalcemia

low levels of calcium in the blood

hypokalemia

low/deficient levels of potassium in the blood

hypoglycemia

low/deficient levels of sugar in the blood

testosterone

male hormone secreted by the interstitial cells of the testes

euthyroid

normal thyroid function

receptor

organ that receives nervous stimulation and passes it on to nerves that carry the stimulation to the brain and spinal cord; skin, ears, eyes and taste buds.

adrenocorticotropin

other name for adrenocorticotropic hormone

adrenal cortex

outer section (cortex) of each adrenal gland; secretes cortisol, aldosterone, and sex hormones

estrogen

ovarian hormone that promotes female secondary sex characteristics and sexual development.

glycemic

pertaining to blood sugar

estrogenic

pertaining to having properties similar to estrogen (producing estrogen-like effects).

hormonal

pertaining to hormones

sympathomimetric

pertaining to mimicking or copying the effect of the sympathetic nervous system; adrenaline and norepinephrine are sympathomimetic hormones

hypophysis

pituitary gland

antidiuretic hormone

pituitary gland hormone that normally stimulates the kidney to decrease production of urine, preventing excess loss of water. Also called vasopressin.

hypothalamus

portion of the brain beneath the thalamus; controls sleep, appetite, body temperature, and secretions from the pituitary gland.

neurohypophysis

posterior lobe of the pituitary gland; secretes oxytocin and vasopressin.

parathyroidectomy

removal of the parathyroid glands

growth hormone

secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland; somatotropin. It stimulates the growth of bones and soft tissues.

luteinizing hormone

secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland; stimulates the ovaries to release eggs (ovulation) and produce hormones.

prolactin

secreted by the anterior lobe pituitary gland; stimulates promotes milk secretion in the female

parathormone

secreted by the parathyroid glands; regulates calcium in the blood.

adrenocorticotropic hormone

secretion from the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland; stimulates the adrenal cortex; ACTH.

follicle-stimulating hormone

secretion of the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland; stimulates ovarian follicles to produce egg cells.

pineal gland

small endocrine in the center portion of the brain; secretes melatonin

endocrinologist

specialist in the study of the endocrine system

glucocorticoid

steroid hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex; cortisol is an example. It raises blood sugar.

glycogen

storage form of glucose (sugar); it produces glucose when it is broken down (glycogenolysis) in liver cells.

glycosuria

sugar in the urine

adenectomy

surgical removal of a gland

adrenalectomy

surgical removal of one or both adrenal glands

hypophysectomy

surgical removal of the pituitary gland

homeostasis

tendency in an organism to return to a state of constancy and stability

thyrotropin

Hormone secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland; stimulates the thyroid gland to secrete its hormones. Also called thyroid-stimulating hormone or TSH.

glucagon

Hormone secreted by the pancreas (alpha islet cells); increases blood glucose (sugar) by conversion of glycogen to glucose.

vasopressin

Hormone secreted by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland; stimulates the kidneys to reabsorb water. Also called antidiuretic hormone or ADH.

oxytocin

Secretion of the pituitary gland causing contraction of the uterus during labor and stimulation of milk secretion from the breast.

adenohypophysis

anterior lobe of the pituitary gland

hormone

a chemical secreted by an endocrine gland