Endocrine Vocab Flashcards
adrenal cortex
outer section (cortex) of each adrenal gland; secretes cortisol, aldosterone, and sex hormones
adrenal medulla
inner section (medulla) of each adrenal gland; secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine
ovaries
located in the lower abdomen of a female; responsible for egg production and estrogen and progesterone secretion
pancreas
located behind the stomach. Islet (alpha and beta) cells (islets of Langerhans) secrete hormones from the pancreas. The pancreas also contains cells that are exocrine in function. They secrete enzymes, via a duct into the small intestine to aid digestion
parathyroid glands
four small glands on the posterior of the thyroid gland. Some people may have three or five parathyroid glands
pituitary gland (hypophysis)
located at the base of the brain in the sella turcica; composed of an anterior lobe (adenohypophysis) and a posterior lobe (neurohypophysis). It weighs only 1/16 of an ounce and is a half inch across
testes
two glands enclosed in the scrotal sac of a male; responsible for sperm production and testosterone secretion
thyroid gland
located in the neck on either side of the trachea; secretes thyroxine
adrenaline (epinephrine)
secreted by the adrenal medulla; increases heart rate and blood pressure
adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland; also called adrenocorticotropin. ACTH stimulates the adrenal cortex
aldosterone
secreted by the adrenal cortex; increases salt (sodium) reabsorption
androgen
male hormone secreted by the testes and to a lesser extent by the adrenal cortex; testosterone is an example
antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
secreted by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland (neurohypophysis). ADH (vasopressin) increases reabsorption of water by the kidney
calcitonin
secreted by the thyroid gland; decreases blood calcium levels
cortisol
secreted by the adrenal cortex; increases blood sugar. It is secreted in times of stress and has an anti-inflammatory effect
epinephrine (adrenaline)
secreted by the adrenal medulla; increases heart rate and blood pressure and dilates airways (sympathomimetic). It is part of the body’s fight or flight reaction
estradiol
estrogen (female hormone) secreted by the ovaries
estrogen
female hormone secreted by the ovaries and to a lesser extent by the adrenal cortex. Examples are estradiol and estrone
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland (adenohypophysis). FSH stimulates hormone secretion and egg production by the ovaries and sperm production by the testes