Endocrine Flashcards
(21 cards)
Define Homeostasis
Homeostasis: process in which the body
maintains a constant internal environment
●Hormones are the chemical messengers
that are secreted by the endocrine glands
directly into the bloodstream in order for the
messengers to reach the cells and organs in
the body
What are the 13 major glands of the endocrine system?
●Pituitary gland ●Pineal gland ●Thyroid gland ●Parathyroid gland x4 ●Thymus ●Pancreas (pancreatic islets) ●Adrenal gland x2 ●Gonads x2
What is the pituitary gland?
○pea-sized gland that is divided into two parts: anterior and posterior lobe ○secretes hormones that control the activity of other endocrine glands
What is the pineal gland?
○very small endocrine gland located in the central portion of the brain ○secretions influence the sleep- wakefulness cycle including the hormone melatonin
What is the thyroid gland?
○butterfly-shaped gland lies lies on either side of the larynx just below the thyroid cartilage ○primary function is to regulate the body’s metabolism
What is the parathyroid gland (x4)?
○size of a grain of rice and embedded in the posterior of the thyroid gland ○regulate calcium levels throughout the body
What is the thymus gland?
○located near the midline in the anterior portion of the thoracic cavity ○secretes hormones that functions as part of the immune system
What is the pancreas (pancreatic islets)?
○feather shaped organ located posterior to the stomach ○controls blood sugar levels and glucose metabolisms throughout the body
What is the adrenal gland (x2)?
○located with one on top of each
kidney
○controls electrolyte levels in the
body
What are the gonads (x2)?
○gamete-producing glands ○ovaries in females and testicles in males ○secrete hormones responsible for development of sex characteristics that develop during puberty
What is an endocrinologist?
Related Medical Specialty
a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating
diseases and malfunctions of the endocrine glands
What is a certified diabetes instructor?
Related Medical Specialty
a health care professional qualified to teach people with
diabetes how to manage their disease
What is diabetes inspidus?
caused by insufficient production of the antidiuretic hormone ADH or by the inability of the kidneys to
respond appropriately to this hormone
What is pancreatitis?
an inflammation of the pancreas which is a leading cause of long-term alcohol abuse
What is hyperthyroidism?
overproduction of thyroid hormones which causes an
imbalance of the metabolism
What is Graves’ Disease
a disorder of an unknown cause in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland and stimulates it to make excessive amounts of thyroid hormone
●Diabetes Mellitus: group of metabolism
disorders characterized by hyperglycemia
resulting in insulin secretion, insulin action
or both
●Type 1 Diabetes: autoimmune insulin
deficiency disorder caused by the
destruction of pancreatic islet beta cells
●Type 2 Diabetes: insulin resistance
disorder
What is Diabetes Mellitus?
a group of metabolism disorders characterized by hyperglycemia resulting in insulin secretion, insulin action or both
What is Type 1 Diabetes?
an autoimmune insulin deficiency disorder caused by the
destruction of pancreatic islet beta cells
What is Type 2 Diabetes?
an insulin resistance disorder
Diagnostic Procedures
of the Endocrine System
●Thyroid scan ●Fasting blood sugar test ●Oral glucose tolerance test ●Radioactive Iodine treatment ●Human growth hormone (HGH) ●Pinealectomy ●Antithyroid drug ●Synthetic thyroid hormones ●Pancreatectomy
Function of the Endocrine System
Produce hormones that work together to
maintain homeostasis
