Chapter 16: Endocrine System Flashcards
The endocrine system is composed of how many endocrine glands distributed throughout the body?
Seven
The seven endocrine glands are:
Pituitary, 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.cl, parathyroid, adrenal, pancreas, gonads, and thymus
The endocrine system’s function is to what?
Secrete hormones into the blood stream which regulate many specific body activities.
The hormones travel all throughout the body but only effect specific what?
Target cells
The endocrine glands are also called what glands and why?
Ductless glands because they do not have ducts to carry out their secretion
The pituitary gland is approximately the size of a what and is located at the base of the what?
Pea, brain
What are the two lobes of the pituitary gland?
Anterior and posterior lobes
The pituitary gland is often referred to as the what gland and why?
The master gland because it produces hormones that stimulate the function of other endocrine glands.
The pituitary gland is also called:
Hypophysis cerebri
The anterior lobe of the pituitary gland is also called:
Adenohypophysis
The anterior lobe has what function?
Produces and secretes the following hormones
The growth hormone does what?
Regulates the growth of the body
The adrenocorticotropic hormone does what?
Stimulates the adrenal cortex
The thyroid-stimulating hormone does what?
Stimulates the thyroid gland
The gonadotropic hormones do what?
Stimulates the gonads (testes and ovaries)
What are two gonadotropic hormones released from the adenohypophysis?
Follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone
What does prolactin do?
Promotes development of glandular tissue during pregnancy and produces milk after birth of an infant
The posterior lobe of the pituitary gland is also called:
Neurohypophysis
The posterior lobe has what function?
Stores and releases antidiuretic hormone and oxytocin
The antidiuretic hormone is also called:
Vasopressin
The antidiuretic hormone does what?
Stimulates the kidney to reabsorb water and constricts blood vessels to help maintain blood pressure
Oxytocin does what?
Stimulates uterine contractions during labor and postpartum, and milk let down by the breasts postpartum
Where is the hypothalamus located?
It is located superior to the pituitary gland in the brain.
What does the hypothalamus do?
Secretes “releasing” hormones that function to stimulate or inhibit the release of pituitary gland hormones.