Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

IMS topic 6 - Endocrinology > Main endocrine glands > Flashcards

Main endocrine glands Flashcards

(43 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What is the role of the pituitary gland?

A

Controls most glands in the body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

How is the pituitary gland divided

A

Anterior pituitary PRODUCES various hormones

Posterior pituitary STORES various hormones that have been produced in the hypothalamus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What does growth hormone (GH) control? Where is it produced?

A

Skeletal growth

Anterior pituitary

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What does adrenocorticotrophic (ACTH) hormone do? Where is it produced?

A

Stimulates adrenals to produce steroids

Anterior pituitary

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What do gonadotrophin (FSH and LH) do? Where are they produced?

A

Stimulate testicles or ovaries to produce sex hormones

Produced in anterior pituitary

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What does thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) or thyrotrophin do? Where is it produced?

A

Stimulates thyroid to produce thyroid hormones

Anterior pituitary

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Where is the pituitary

A

At the bottom of the hypothalamus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What does prolactin (PRL) hormone do? Where is it produced?

A

stimulates breast milk production

anterior pituitary

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What does antidiuretic hormone (ADH) do? Where is it stored?

A

Stimulates water reabsorption by the kidneys to prevent dehydration.
Stored in the posterior pituitary

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What does oxytocin hormone do? Where is it stored?

A

Helps uterine contractions during labour

Stored in posterior pituitary

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What controls the anterior pituitary gland and how?

A

Hypothalamus secreted various hormones which tells the anterior pituitary gland to release other hormones

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is secreted by the hypothalamus to stimulate the pituitary gland to release ACTH (adrenocortitrophic steroid hormone)?

A

Corticotoprhin releasing hormone (CRH)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is secreted by the hypothalamus to stimulate the pituitary gland to release GH?

A

Growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is secreted by the hypothalamus to stimulate the pituitary gland to release TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone)?

A

Thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is secreted by the hypothalamus to stimulate the pituitary gland to release FSH and LH?

A

Gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

How is prolactin controlled?

A

It is under inhibitory control by the hypothalamus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

How are ACTH and CRH (steroid hormones) switched off?

A

The adrenal gland produces cortisol which switched off ACTH production by the pituitary and CRH production by the hypothalamus by NEGATIVE FEEDBACK

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

How are GH and GHRH (growth hormones) switched off?

Study These Flashcards
A

Excess growth hormone switches off GHRH and GH by negative feedback

19
Q

How are FSH/LH an GnRH switched off?

Study These Flashcards
A

Sex hormones switch off these by negative feedback

20
Q

Which 4 glands are NOT controlled by the pituitary?

Study These Flashcards
A

Adrenal medulla - produces adrenaline and noradrenaline
Parathyroid - controls calcium levels
Pancreas - controls sugar levels
Gut hormones

21
Q

What is the parathyroid?

Study These Flashcards
A

4 small glands that sit behind the thyroid and control calcium levels

22
Q

What is the thyroid gland composed of?

Study These Flashcards
A

Midline isthmus, right lobe and left lobe.

Thyroid cells are arranged in follicles and produce thyroid hormones

23
Q

What do C cells in the thyroid produce?

Study These Flashcards
A

Calcitonin, for calcium metabolism (this is not controlled by the pituitary)

24
Q

How do thyroid hormones regulate gene expression and organ function?

Study These Flashcards
A

Thyroid hormones interact with receptors in various organs

25
What are T3 and T4 and what are their activities and compositions?
Thyroid hormones T3 is 20% of all produced and T4 is 80%. T3 is the active hormone T4 is converted to T3 by an enzyme (iodine is removed)
26
What controls Ca2+ levels in the body? Which body parts are involved in calcium metabolism?
4 parathyroid glands The kidneys excrete calcium and produce active vitamin D The gut absorbs calcium Bones store calcium
27
What does the adrenal cortex do? How much of the adrenal gland is it?
Produces cortisol (controls metabolism, inflammation, sugar levels etc), androgens and aldosterone (controls blood pressure) 90% of the adrenal gland
28
What does the adrenal medulla do? How much of the adrenal gland is it?
Produces adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine 10% of the adrenal gland
29
How vital is cortisol?
Incredibly, patients will die without cortisol. Treatment should be given immediately, before blood tests, if there is any indication
30
What are adrenal glands controlled by?
The renin-angiotensin system
31
In which part of the menstrual cycle is more FSH secreted and so more estradiol produced?
The first part
32
In which part of the menstrual cycle is more LH secreted and so more progesterone produced?
The second part
33
What is the main function of inhibin in the female reproductive system?
Produced by the ovaries, provides a negative feedback loop to switch off FSH and LH secretion by the pituitary gland
34
Does estradiol cause negative or positive feedback? What does this effect?
both | Switches on/off GnRH secretion by the hypothalamus
35
Where are the testes found?
In the scrotum
36
What are the role of interstitial cells and leydig cells in the testes?
Produce testosterone
37
What is the role of seminiferous tubules in the testes?
Made up of germ cells that produce sperm
38
What is the role of sertoli cells in the testes?
They produce inhibin for negative feedback to the pituitary gland to switch off FSH and LH secretion
39
In the male reproductive system, what does GnRH produced by the hypothalamus do?
Causes pituitary to secrete FSH and LH which stimulate the testes to secrete inhibin (from sertoli cells) and testosterone (from leydig cells)
40
In the male reproductive system, what does FSH control?
Mainly sperm production
41
In the male reproductive system, what does LH control?
Mainy testosterone production by Leydig cells
42
Explain the hormones involved in the female reproductive system
The hypothalamus produces GnRH which switches on/off FSH and LH production by the pituitary gland. FSH and LH stimulate the ovaries to produce inhibin, progesterone and estradiol.
43
In the female reproductive system, what controls the secretion of GnRh by the hypothalamus?
Negative and positive feedback by estradiol

IMS topic 6 - Endocrinology (4 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions