Endocrine Vocabulary

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acromegaly

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development into overly large size because of excessive production of growth hormone; also called gigantism.

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Addisonian crisis

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acute adrenocortical insufficiency.

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adenohypophysis

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one of the two portions of the pituitary gland, it produces hormones that are not neurohormones; also called the anterior pituitary lobe.

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adrenal cortex

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the outer layer of the adrenal gland, it produces hormones that are important in regulating the water and salt balance of the body.

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adrenal glands

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glands located on top of each kidney that produce and secrete certain sex hormones, as well as other hormones that are vital to maintaining the body's water and salt balance; also called suprarenal glands.

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adrenaline

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hormone produced by the adrenal glands that mediates the fight-or-flight response of the sympathetic nervous system; also called epinephrine.

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adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

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one of several molecules derived from a common precursor, proopiomelanocortin, that is essential for development of the cortex of the adrenal gland and its secretion of corticosteroids.

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aldosterone

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hormone produced by the adrenal cortex that is important in the regulation of water and salt balance in the body.

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alpha cells

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cells located in the islets of Langerhans that secrete glucagon.

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anabolic steroids

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synthetic androgens used to increase muscle mass.

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androgens

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male sex hormones.

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androstenedione

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a steroid sex hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex, testes, and ovaries.

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anterior pituitary lobe

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one of the two portions of the pituitary gland; it produces hormones that are not neurohormones; also called the adenohypophysis.

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antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

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a hormone secreted by the posterior pituitary lobe of the pituitary gland, it constricts blood vessels and raises the blood pressure; also called vasopressin.

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beta cells

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cells located in the islets of Langerhans that secrete insulin.

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beta endorphins

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proteins that have the same effects as opiate drugs such as morphine.

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calcitonin

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a hormone produced by the parafollicular cells of the thyroid gland that is important in the regulation of calcium levels in the body.

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Conn's syndrome

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a condition that results in excess secretion of aldosterone, most commonly caused by benign tumor.

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corticosteroids

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any of several steroids secreted by the adrenal gland.

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cortisol

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the most important corticosteroid secreted by the zona fasciculata, it has many effects on the body.

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Cushing's syndrome

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a disorder caused by excessive production of cortisol by the adrenal glands resulting in obesity, abnormal hair growth, high blood pressure, emotional disturbances, and the so-called moonface.

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diabetes insipidus

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a disorder of the pituitary gland that results in large volumes of dilute urine.

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diabetes mellitus

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a condition that results from impaired production of insulin by the pancreas.

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dwarfism

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stunted growth due to a deficiency of growth hormone.

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endocrine glands

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glands that empty secretions (hormones) directly into the blood.

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endocrine system

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a system of glands located throughout the body that secrete hormones that regulate many body functions, including growth, reproduction, temperature, metabolism, and blood pressure.

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epinephrine

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hormone produced by the adrenal glands that mediates the fight-or-flight response of the sympathetic nervous system; also called adrenaline.

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estrogen

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hormone produced by the ovaries, it is one of three major female hormones.

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exocrine glands

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glands that empty their products through ducts, usually onto epithelial surfaces.

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exophthalmos

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abnormal protrusion of the eyes resulting from hyperthyroidism.

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feedback inhibition

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the concept that once the desired effect of a hormone has been achieved, further production of the hormone is inhibited until it is needed again; also referred to as negative feedback.

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follicles

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small cavity glands within the thyroid gland that contain thyroglobulin.

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follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

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hormone that regulates the production of both eggs and sperm, as well as production of reproductive hormones.

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gigantism

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development into overly large size because of excessive production of growth hormone; also called acromegaly.

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glands

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a cell, group of cells, or an organ that selectively removes, concentrates, or alters materials in the blood and secretes them back into the body.

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glucagon

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hormone produced by the pancreas that is vital to the control of the body's metabolism and blood sugar level.

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glucocorticoids

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hormones secreted by the zona fasciculata that play an important role in metabolism and inhibit inflammation.

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gluconeogenesis

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a process that stimulates both the liver and the kidneys to produce glucose from noncarbohydrate molecules.

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glycogen

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a long polymer from which glucose is converted in the liver (animal starch).

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goiter

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an enlarged thyroid gland.

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gonadotropin releasing hormone

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a hormone released by the hypothalamus that influences the release of LH and FSH.

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gonads

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the reproductive glands.

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growth hormone (GH)

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hormone that stimulates growth in most tissues, especially of long bones in the extremities. Also called somatotropin.

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growth hormone release-inhibiting hormone

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a hormone released by the hypothalamus that inhibits the secretion of growth hormone; also called somatostatin.

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growth hormone-releasing hormone

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a hormone released by the hypothalamus that stimulates the secretion of growth hormone.

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hormone sensitive lipase

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an enzyme that is activated by glucagon, it breaks triglycerides down into free fatty acids and glycerol.

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hormones

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proteins secreted by glands to regulate body functions.

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human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

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one of three major female hormones; it is produced by a developing embryo after conception.

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hyperparathyroidism

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condition that results in a loss of calcium from the bones, as well as increases in serum calcium levels, caused by excess secretion of parathyroid hormones.

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hyperthyroidism

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overactivity of the thyroid gland, which results in increased metabolic rates, weight loss, rapid heart rate, elevated blood pressure, diarrhea, and at times, abnormal protrusion of the eyes.

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hypocalcemia

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potentially life-threatening low blood calcium levels resulting from loss of parathyroid function.

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hypophysis

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the gland that secretes hormones that regulate the function of many other glands in the body; also called the pituitary gland.

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hypothalamic-pituitary axis

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the interactions of the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland.

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hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis

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a complex set of interactions that regulates the secretion of corticosteroids.

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hypothalamohypophvseal portal system

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a specialized set of blood vessels that carry releasing factors from the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary lobe.

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hypothalamus

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the basal part of the diencephalon, it regulates the function of the pituitary gland.

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infundibulum

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the stalk that connects the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland.

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inhibiting factors

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compounds that travel from the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland in a specialized set of blood vessels; also called releasing factors.

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insulin

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hormone produced by the pancreas that is vital in the control of the body's metabolism and blood sugar level.

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Islets of Langerhans

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a specialized group of cells in the pancreas where insulin and glucagon are produced.

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isthmus

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a narrow band of tissue that connects the two lobes of the thyroid gland.

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luteinizing hormone (LH)

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hormone that regulates the production of both eggs and sperm, as well as production of reproductive hormones.

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medulla

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the inner portion of the adrenal glands, which produces epinephrine and norepinephrine.

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mineralocorticoids

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hormones produced in the zona glomerulosa that are important in the regulation of water and salt balance in the body.

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negative feedback

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the concept that once the desired effect of a hormone has been achieved, further production of the hormone is inhibited until it is needed again; also called feedback inhibition.

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neurohormones

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hormones secreted by the posterior pituitary lobe.

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neurohypophysis

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one of the two portions of the pituitary gland; it is an extension of the central nervous system and secretes hormones called neurohormones; also called the posterior pituitary lobe.

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norepinephrine

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hormone produced by the adrenal glands that is vital in the function of the sympathetic nervous system.

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osmoreceptors

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specialized neurons in the brain that regulate the secretion of ADH.

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ovaries

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the female reproductive glands.

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oxytocin

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a hormone that causes the smooth muscles of the pregnant uterus to contract and milk to be released from the breasts of lactating women.

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pancreas

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an organ of both the endocrine and digestive systems, it produces the hormones insulin and glucagon.

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parafollicular cells

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cells located between the follicles in the thyroid gland that produce the hormone calcitonin.

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parathyroid glands

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four glands that are embedded in the posterior portion of each lobe of the thyroid, they produce and secrete parathyroid hormone.

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parathyroid hormone

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hormone produced and secreted by the parathyroid glands, it maintains normal levels of calcium in the blood and normal neuromuscular function.

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pituitary gland

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the gland that secretes hormones that regulate the function of many other glands in the body; also called the hypophysis.

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positive feedback

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the concept that once the desired effect of a hormone has been achieved, production of the hormone is continued.

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posterior pituitary lobe

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one of the two portions of the pituitary gland; it is an extension of the central nervous system and produces hormones called neurohormones; also called the neurohypophysis.

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progesterone

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produced by the ovaries, it is one of three major female hormones.

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prolactin

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hormone that plays an important role in milk production in women.

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prolactin-inhibiting hormones

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hormones released by the hypothalamus that influence inhibition of prolactin.

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prolactin-releasing hormones

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hormones released by the hypothalamus that influence the release of prolactin.

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prostaglandins

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a group of hormone-like fatty acids that are produced in many body tissues, including the uterus, brain, and kidneys.

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releasing factors

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compounds that travel from the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland in a specialized set of blood vessels; also called inhibiting factors.

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retroperitoneum

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the space behind the peritoneum.

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somatomedins

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proteins produced in the liver, skeletal muscle, and other tissues that are stimulated by growth hormone.

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somatostatin

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a hormone released by the hypothalamus that inhibits the secretion of growth hormone; also called growth hormone release-inhibiting hormone.

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somatotropin

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hormone that stimulates growth in many tissues, especially of long bones in the extremities; also called growth hormone (GH).

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testes

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the male reproductive glands.

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testosterone

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the major androgen produced by the testes.

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tetany

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painful muscle spasms that result from a low blood calcium level.

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tetraiodothyronine (T4)

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one of the two major hormones produced by the thyroid gland, it is essential for normal growth and development in children, as well as regulation of body metabolism.

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thyroglobulin

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a protein to which thyroid hormones are bound.

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thyroid

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a large endocrine gland that is located at the base of the neck and produces and excretes hormones that influence growth, development, and metabolism.

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thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

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hormone that controls the release of thyroid hormone from the thyroid gland; also called thyrotropin.

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thyrotropin

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hormone that controls the release of thyroid hormone from the thyroid gland; also called thyroid- stimulating hormone.

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thyroxine-binding globulin

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a protein synthesized in the liver that binds to hormones T3 and T4

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triiodothyronine (T3)

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one of the two major hormones produced by the thyroid gland, it is essential for normal growth and development in children, as well as regulation of body metabolism.

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vasopressin

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a hormone secreted by the posterior pituitary lobe of the pituitary gland, it constricts blood vessels and raises the blood pressure; also called antidiuretic hormone (ADH).

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zona fasciculata

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one of three divisions of the adrenal cortex, it produces corticosteroids.

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zona glomerulosa

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one of three divisions of the adrenal cortex, it produces mineralocorticoids.

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zona reticularis

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one of three divisions of the adrenal cortex, it secretes a few relatively weak male sex hormones, or androgens.