Chapter 4 Glossary Terms #1

Question 1

adrenaline

Answer 1

A hormone secreted by the adrenal glands during an emergency response

Question 2

androgens

Answer 2

male hormones

Question 3

calcitonin

Answer 3

a hormone that regulates absorption of calcium and vit D

Question 4

circadian rhythm

Answer 4

the daily biochemical patterns of the body

Question 5

corpus luteum

Answer 5

a temporary endocrine structure that develops from the ovarian follicle during the menstrual cycle; it is essential to establishing and maintaining pregnancy

Question 6

corticoids

Answer 6

steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex

Question 7

cortisol

Answer 7

a major steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex, often called the stress hormone; it increases blood pressure and blood sugar levels and suppresses the immune system.

Question 8

diabetes

Answer 8

a disease that results when the pancreas does not secrete enough insulin.

Question 9

endometrium

Answer 9

inner membrane of the uterus

Question 10

follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Answer 10

hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that causes the development of the egg or ovum

Question 11

formication

Answer 11

an itching and tingling feeling of the skin experienced by some women during menopause

Question 12

glucocorticoids

Answer 12

steroid hormones that help regulate blood sugar

Question 13

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

Answer 13

an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the thyroid so that it cannot function properly

Question 14

hormone receptors (receptor sites)

Answer 14

structures on the cell membrane that receive and accept hormones and, in turn, produce other biochemicals that cause or stimulate different functions in the cells.

Question 15

hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Answer 15

methods used to administer female hormones to control or prevent symptoms of menopause. HRT may also help prevent skin changes or osteoporosis in women.

Question 16

hyperthyroidism

Answer 16

a condition in which the thyroid gland secretes too much thyroid hormone

Question 17

hypothalamus

Answer 17

a gland that manufactures hormones that stimulate the pituitary gland to make other hormones.

Question 18

hypothyroidism

Answer 18

a condition in which the thyroid gland secretes too little thyroid hormone

Question 19

linea nigra

Answer 19

a line of pigmentation that develops during pregnancy between the lower chest and the genital area.

Question 20

luteinizing hormone (LH)

Answer 20

a hormone that causes ovulation or the release of the egg from the ovary. It also causes testes to manufacture testosterone

Question 21

melatonin

Answer 21

a specialized hormone secreted by the pineal gland that helps regulate the body’s responses to different levels of light, and therefore circadian rhythms of the body.

Question 22

menarche

Answer 22

the first menstrual period

Question 23

menopause

Answer 23

the time in a woman’s life when the ovaries stop producing eggs.

Question 24

menstruation

Answer 24

the process by which the female body rids itself of an unused ovum and the accompanying endometrium.

Question 25

mineralcorticoids

Answer 25

steroid hormones that help regulate blood minerals

Question 26

myxedema

Answer 26

a hyperthyroid condition in which the skin on the shin becomes thick red-brown with a bumpy texture

Question 27

nerohormones

Answer 27

hormones secreted by the hypothalamus that control many pituitary hormone secretions

Question 28

parathyroid gland

Answer 28

the gland responsible for regulating calcium and phosphates in the bloodstream

Question 29

perimenopause

Answer 29

the time before and around menopause

Question 30

PCOS | Polycystic ovarian syndrome

Answer 30

a hormonal disorder in women caused by excessive presence of androgens; it may induce irregular periods and obesity, but also esthetic symptoms such as unwanted excessive facial and body hair and nonresponsive acne.

Question 31

PMS | premenstrual syndrome

Answer 31

a condition in which some women experience uncomfortable physical changes before menstruation

Question 32

progesterone

Answer 32

a hormone that helps prepare the uterus for pregnancy and is an important hormone in the menstrual cycle

Question 33

progestin

Answer 33

a synthetic version of progesterone used in mini-pills for birth control

Question 34

puberty

Answer 34

the stage in life when physical changes occur in both sexes and when sexual function of the sex glands begins to take place

Question 35

relaxin

Answer 35

a hormone manufactured by the ovaries that helps enlarge the pelvic opening during childbirth

Question 36

secreted

Answer 36

synthesized or released by various cells or organs

Question 37

steroids

Answer 37

very small hormone molecules that penetrate cell membranes

Question 38

striae distensae

Answer 38

stretch marks that commonly occur during pregnancy

Question 39

testosterone

Answer 39

the male hormone responsible for development of typical male characteristics

Question 40

thymus gland

Answer 40

a gland located under the breastbone in the chest; it secretes hormones and helps trigger synthesis of more lymph tissue

Question 41

thyrotoxicosis

Answer 41

the group of clinical symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism