Chapter 11
adrenal cortex
Part of the adrenal gland that produces three mayor groups of steroid hormones called corticosteroids.
corticosteroids
Steroid hormones secreted from the adrenal cortex. The two major classes are teh mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids. Aldosterone is the principal mineralocorticoid, and cortisol is the principal glucorcorticoid.
radioimmunoassay
Test combines radioactive chemicals and antibodies to detect minute quantities of substances in a patient's blood.
glucagon
The antagonist of insulin. Its release is stimulated by low blood glucose levels. It stimulates the liver, its primary target organ, to break down its glycogen stores to glucose and subsequently to release glucose to the blood.
testes
The male gonads, which produce sperm and secrete male sex hormones.
target organs
The organs that hormones act on to either increase or decrease the organ's activity level.
panhypopituitarism
Total pituitary impairment that brings about a progressive and general loss of hormone activity
fasting blood sugar
blood test to determine the amount of glucose int he blood after fasting for 8 to 10 hours
protein-bound iodine test
blood test to measure the concentration of thyroxine circulating in the bloodstream.the iodine becomes bound to the protein in the blood and can be measured
total calcium
blood test to measure the total amount of calcium to assist in detecting parathyroid and bone disorders
thyroid function test
blood test used to measure the levels of T3, T4, and TSH in the bloodstream to assist in determining thryroid function. (TFT)
diabetes insipidus
caused by insufficient production of the antidiuretic hormone or by the inability of the kidneys to respond appropriately to this hormone
hormones
chemical messengers, mostly those manufactured by the endocrine glands, that are produced in one tissue and affect another
islets of Langerhans
clusters of endocrine cells that secrete two hormones directly into the circulatory system. Each islet has a population of alpha cells, which secrete the peptide hormone glucagons, and a population of beta cells, which secrete the hormone insulin.
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 overproduction of growth hormone by the pituitary gland before puberty
polyuria
condition of excessive urination
Grave's disease
condition of hypersecretion of the thyroid gland characterized by exophthalmia, tachycardia, goiter, and tumor
diabetes mellitus
condition that occurs when the pancreas produces too little insulin, resulting in an increase in the level of blood glucose
parathyroid hormone
controls the amount of calcium and phosphorus in the blood
menstrual cycle
cycle during which an egg develops and is released from an ovary and the uterus is prepared to receive a fertilized egg
hyposecretion
deficient hormone production by an endocrine gland
gynecomastia
development of mammary glands in the male caused by altered hormone levels
acromegaly
disease characterized by enlarged features, especially the face and hands, caused by hypersecretion of the pituitary hormone after puberty, when normal bone growth has stopped; most often caused by a pituitary tumor
diabetic retinopathy
disease of the retina in diabetics characterized by capillary leakage, bleeding, and new vessel formation (neovascularization) leading to scarring and loss of vision
ova
egg
endocrinopathy
endocrine system disease
goiter
enlargement of the thyroid gland
phenochromocytoma
excess production of catecholamines tumor releases catecholamines in excess increase HR BP and glucose hypertension, headache, nervousness, sweating, tachycardia, palpitations, cardiac failure
hypercalcemia
excessive calcium in the blood
hypersecretion
excessive hormone production by an endocrine gland
adrenal virilism
excessive secretion of adrenal androgens
polydipsia
excessive thirst
anterior lobe
front of body
melatonin
hormone released by the pineal gland in response to daily cycles of light and dark
glucorticoids
hormones produced by the adrenal cortex that reduce edema and the release of histamines in the respiratory system by interrupting the inflammatory process.
myxedema
hypothyroidism marked by dry skin and swellings around lips and nose as well as mental deterioration
adrenalitis
inflammation of an adrenal gland
androgens
influence development and maintenance of male sex characteristics, for example, facial hair, deep voice
adrenal medulla
inner part of adrenal gland; secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine
chemical thyroidectomy
large dose of radioactive iodine is given in order to kill thyroid gland cells without having to actually do surgery
thymus glands
large elongated masses extending from the throat region down over the cranial portion of the heart
thyroid gland
large gland in the front of the neck, it secretes hormones which regulate growth and metabolism
pineal gland
located in the center of the brain, functioning to secrete melatonin and serotonin
ovaries
located one on each side of the uterus in the female pelvis, functioning to secrete estrogen and progesterone
pancreas
located partially behind the stomach in the abdomen, and it functions as both an endocrine and exocrine gland. It produces digestive enzymes as well as insulin and glucagon
hypocalcemia
low calcium in the blood
homeostasis
metabolic equilibrium actively maintained by several complex biological mechanisms that operate via the autonomic nervous system to offset disrupting changes
obesity
more than average fatness
Addison's disease
occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough of the hormones cortisol or aldosterone
ketoacidosis
presence of an abnormal amount of ketone bodies in the blood and urine indicating an abnormal utilization of carbohydrates as seen in uncontrolled diabetes and starvation
exophthalmos
protrusion of one or both eyeballs, often because of thyroid dysfunction or a tumor behind the eyeball
exocrine glands
release their secretions through ducts or tubes onto a body surface or into a cavity. ex. sweat, salivary or tear glands
adrenalectomy
removal of adrenal glands
thyroidectomy
removal of the thyroid
gametes
reproductive cells, have only half the number of chromosomes as body cells
gonads
reproductive glands-male, testes; female, ovaries
cortisol
secreted from the adrenal cortex, aids the body during stress by increasing glucose levels and suppressing immune system function
cretinism
severe hypothyroidism resulting in physical and mental stunting
endocrinologist
specialist in the endocrine system
hypothyroidism
state of deficient thyroid gland activity
hyperthyroidism
state of excessive thyroid
glycosuria
sugar in the urine
lobectomy
surgical removal of a lobe from any organ of the body (as the lung or brain)
edema
swelling from excessive accumulation of serous fluid in tissue
thyroid scan
test in which a radioactive iodine is administrated that localizes in the thyroid gland. the gland can then be visualized with a scanning device to detect pathology such as tumors
glucose tolerance test
test that measures the body's ability to metabolize carbohydrates by administering a standard dose of glucose and measuring glucose levels in the blood and urine at regular intervals
circadian rhythm
the biological clock; regular bodily rhythms (for example, of temperature and wakefulness) that occur on a 24-hour cycle.
thalamus
the brain's sensory switchboard, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla
endocrinology
the branch of medicine dealing with the endocrine glands and their secretions
pituitary gland
the master gland of the endocrine system
hormone replacement therapy
the use of the female hormones estrogen and progestin to replace those the body no longer produces during and after perimenopause
parathyroid glands
there are four and they are embedded in the surface of the thyroid, function in the homeostasis of calcium ions. They secrete Parathyroid hormone (PTH), which raises blood levels of calcium and thus has an effect opposite to that of the thyroid hormone calcitonin.
thyrotoxicosis
toxic condition due to hyperactivity of the thyroid gland
thyroid echogram
ultrasound examination of the thyroid that can assist in distinguishing a thyroid nodule from a cyst
aldosterone
"salt-retaining hormone" which promotes the retention of Na+ by the kidneys. na+ retention promotes water retention, which promotes a higher blood volume and pressure
blood serum test
Blood test to measure the level of substances such as calcium, electrolytes, testosterone, insulin, and glucose. Used to assist in determining the function of various endocrine glands.
dwarfism
Condition caused by insufficient growth hormone in childhood
adrenal feminization
Development of female secondary sexual characteristics (such as breasts) in a male; often as a result of increased estrogen secretion by the adrenal cortex.
endocrine glands
Ductless glands that empty their hormonal products directly into the blood
hirsutism
Excessive growth of body hair in females
insulin
Hormone produced by the pancreas that is released when stimulated by elevated glucose levels. This hormone decreases blood sugar levels by accelerating the transport of glucose into the body cells where it is oxidized for energy or converted to glycogen or fat for storage.
steroid sex hormones
Include estrogens, progestins, and androgens Produced by the gonads in response to signals from Hypothalamus Pituitary
sperm
Male sex cell
insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
Occurs when antibodies bind insulin-secreting cells of the pancreas, eventually reducing the body's ability to produce insulin.
mineralocorticoids
One of the major groups of steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex. It regulates water and electrolyte balance in extracellular flid, mainly by regulatind sodium reabsorption by the kidney tubules. Chiefly aldosterone.
epinephrine
adrenaline; activates a sympathetic nervous system by making the heart beat faster, stopping digestion, enlarging pupils, sending sugar into the bloodstream, preparing a blood clot faster
posterior lobe
back of body
glands
A cell, a group of cells, or an organ that produces a secretion for use elsewhere in the body or in a body cavity or for elimination from the body.
progesterone
A hormone produced by the ovaries which acts with estrogen to bring about the menstral cycle.
growth hormone
A hormone released by the anterior pituitary that targets all cells in the body. Growth hormone stimulates whole body growth in children and adolescents, adn increases cell turnover rate in adults.
calcium
A mineral that is essential for bone growth, teeth development, blood coagulation, and many other functions
luteinizing hormone
A protein hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary that stimulates ovulation in females and androgen production in males.
insulinoma
a benign tumor of the pancreas that causes hypoglycemia by secreting additional insulin
norepinephrine
a catecholamine precursor of epinephrine that is secreted by the adrenal medulla and also released at synapses
adrenaline
a catecholamine secreted by the adrenal medulla in response to stress (trade name Adrenalin)
estrogen
a general term for female steroid sex hormones that are secreted by the ovary and responsible for typical female sexual characteristics
Cushing's syndrome
a group of signs and symptoms associated with hypersecretion of the glucocorticoids by the adrenal cortex
syndrome
a group of symptoms or signs that collectively characterize or indicate a disease, disorder, abnormality, etc.
somatotropin
a hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland
adenocarcinoma
a malignant tumor that originates in glandular tissue
laparoscopic adrenalectomy
a minimally invasive procedure to surgically remove one or both adrenal glands
hypothalamus
a neural structure lying below the thalamus; directs eating, drinking, body temperature; helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion
peripheral neuropathy
a painful condition of the nerves of the hands and feet due to damage to the peripheral nerves; also known as peripheral neuritis
adrenal glands
a pair of endocrine glands just above the kidneys. the adrenals secrete the hormones epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline), which help to arouse the body in times of stress.
acidosis
abnormally high acidity (excess hydrogen-ion concentration) of the blood and other body tissues
