an internal state of equilibrium in the body
homeostasis
mineral salt that carries an electrical charge in solution
electrolyte
hormone produced by pancreatic alpha cells that stimulates the liver to change stored glycogen (a starch form of sugar) into glucose
glucagon
simple sugar that is the end result of carbohydrate digestion
glucose
hormone produced by beta cells in the pancreas that allow body cells to use glucose for energy or store it in the liver as glycogen
insulin
agent that mimics the effects of the sympathetic nervous system (such as epinepherine and norepinepherine)
sympathomimetic
pea sized gland located at the back of the brain. Sometimes called the master gland due to the way it regulates so many body activities. This gland has two lobes.
pituitary gland
produces ADH and oxytocin
posterior pituitary gland
the large, H-shaped organ just below the neck, composed of two large lobes separated by a strip of tissue called an isthmus
thyroid gland
the body’s major metabolic hormone; increases the rate of oxygen consumption which in turn speeds up metabolism. Made up of thyroxine and triiodothyronine
thyroid hormone (TH)
hormone that regulates calcium in the bloodstream; decreases the rate of calcium absorption from bones
calcitonin
hormone produced in the adrenal cortex - promotes the secretion of corticosteriods; hyper secretion causes Cushing disease; secreted from the anterior pituitary
ACTH
In females, stimulates egg production and increases the secretion of estrogen. In males, stimulates sperm production in the testes; secreted from the anterior pituitary
FSH
Regulates the growth of bone, muscle, and other tissues. ; secreted from the anterior pituitary
GH
In females, promotes ovulation and stimulates the production of estrogen and progesterone. In males, stimulates secretion of testosterone; secreted from the anterior pituitary
LH
promotes lactation in females; secreted from the anterior pituitary
PRL (prolactin)
stimulates the thyroid gland to release its hormones; secreted from the anterior pituitary
TSH
increases water reabsorption in the kidneys; secreted from the posterior pituitary
ADH
In females, promotes milk secretion from mammary glands and stimulates uterine contractions for labor; secreted from the posterior pituitary
oxytocin
glands located on the posterior lobes of the thyroid gland; secretes PTH which helps regulate calcium balance in the blood
parathyroid glands
causes bones to release calcium, intestines to absorb more calcium, and kidneys to increase calcium reabsorbtion
PTH
paired glands that sit on top of the kidneys; divided into the cortex and the medulla
adrenal glands
causes the kidneys to conserve sodium and to pass on potassium, which in turn increases water conservation by lowering urine output; secreted from the adrenal cortex
aldosterone
influences the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats. Cortisol is an example of this. Secreted from the adrenal cortex
glucocorticoids
androgens, estrogens, and progesterins help maintain secondary sex characterists like breasts in females and placement of body hair
sex hormones
also called adrenaline, this hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla acts to stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, increasing blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac output, and dilating airways.
epinephrine
gland that’s inferior to the stomach and in the bend in the duodenum. Functions as both an endocrine and an exocrine gland. Produces insulin and glucagon
pancreas
Portion of the pancreas that secretes insulin and glucagon
Islets of Langerhans
small, pine-cone shaped organ at the posterior portion of the brain that secrets melatonin; possibly inhibits the functions of the ovaries
pineal gland
(1 of 2) combining form of “adrenal gland”
adren/o
(2 of 2) combining form of “adrenal gland”
adrenal/o
combining form of “calcium”
calc/o
combining form of “secrete”
crin/o
(1 of 2) combining form of “sweetness” or “sugar”
gluc/o
(2 of 2) combining form of “sweetness” or “sugar”
glyc/o
combining form of “same” or “alike”
home/o
combining form of “potassium”
kal/i
combining form of “pancreas”
pancreat/o
combining form of “parathyroid gland”
parathyroid/o
combining form of “thymus gland”
thym/o
combining form of “thyroid gland”
thyr/o
combining form of “poison”
toxic/o
suffix for “secrete”
_crine
suffix for “thirst”
_dipsia
suffix for “forming” or “producing” or “origin”
_gen
suffix for “poison”
_toxic
suffix for “urine”
_uria
prefix for “good” or “normal”
eu-
prefix for “outside” or “outward”
exo-
abnormal condition of low sodium levels in the blood
hyponatremia
a form of hypothyroidism that develops in infants. Leads to mental retardation, abnormal bone growth, low body temperatures.
cretinism
hypothyroidism that develops during adulthood (as opposed to childhood, like in cretinism). Symptoms include edema, weight gain, sluggishness
myxedema
Form of hyperthyroidism; symptoms include weight loss, excessive perspiration, muscle weakness, emotional instability, and bulging eyes that come from swelling optical nerve tissue
Graves disease
condition of bulging eyeballs
exophthalmos
insufficient production of PTH in the body; sometimes caused by too much calcium in the blood. This in turn may cause low blood calcium levels, which in turn can cause muscle spasms
hypoparathyroidism
muscle spasms
tetany
too much production of PTH, often caused by a tumor on the thyroid
hyperthyroidism
a benign glandular tumor
adenoma
condition of tumors growing on nerve endings, sometimes caused by excessive calcium in the blood
von Recklinghausen disease
disease caused by a lack of cortical hormones, usually occurs when the adrenal cortex is damaged or impaired. Symptoms include low blood sodium and high blood potassium, excessive urination to the point of being dehydrated
Addison disease
symptoms that come from excessive amounts of cortisol, ACTH, or both. Symptoms include thin extremities, thinning hair, easy bruising, slow wound healing, purple striae, increased body and facial hair,
Cushing syndrome
condition of impaired carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism due to insufficient production of insulin or the body’s inability to use insulin properly. Symptoms include constant urination, abnormal thirst and hunger, and irritability
diabetes mellitus
extreme thirst
polydipsia
extreme hunger
polyphagia
Condition where the body does not produce enough insulin. Typically diagnosed in young children and teenagers. Treated with exercise, insulin, and careful monitoring of blood glucose
Type 1 Diabetes
Condition where the body does not produce enough insulin, or the body is resistant to the effects of insulin. Risk factors include a family history of obesity or diabetes. Treatments include exercise, weight loss, diet, and insulin.
Type 2 Diabetes
cancer of an endocrine gland
adenocarcinoma
Rare hormonal disorder in adulthood often caused by a GH-secreting pituitary tumor; promotes the soft tissue and bones of the face, hands, and feet to grow larger than normal
acromegaly
increased formation and secretion of urine
diuresis
abnormal amount of glucose in the urine
glycosuria
condition where blood calcium levels are too high
hypercalcemia
condition where blood potassium levels are too high
hyperkalemia
abnormal increase of blood volume, typically caused by abnormally high levels of sodium and water reabsorption in the kidneys
hypervolemia
a tumor in the Isles of Langerhans in the pancreas
insulinoma
having a BMI index of 40 or greater
morbid obesity
total pituitary impairment that brings about a progressive and general loss of hormone activity
panhypopituitarism
small cell tumor, usually located in the adrenal medulla that causes elevated heart rate and blood issues
pheochromocytoma
crisis of uncontrolled hyperthyroidism caused by the release into the bloodstream of an increased amount of thyroid hormone
thyroid storm
masculinization or development of male characteristics in a woman
virilism
measures the degree of forward displacement of the eyeball
exophthalmometry
excision of one or more of the parathyroid glands, usually to control hyperparathyroidism
parathyroidectomy
endoscopic procedure to surgically remove a pituitary tumor through an incision at the back of the nose without disturbing brain tissue
transsphenoidal hypophysectomy
removal of the thymus gland
thymectomy
test that measures glucose levels in a blood sample following a fast of at least 8 hours
fasting blood sugar
screening test in which a dose of glucose is administered and blood samples are taken afterward at regular intervals to determine how quickly glucose is cleared from the blood
glucose tolerance test
diagnostic test in which insulin is injected into the vein to assess pituitary function, adrenal function, and to detemine insulin sensitivity
insulin tolerance test
