Question | Answer |
Addison disease | Chronic disorder of the adrenal glands caused by a deficiency of cortical hormones. |
adenoma | Tumour of a gland. |
antidiurectic | Vasopression: promotes reabsorption of water in the kidneys. |
adrenal cortex | Outer section of the adrenal gland which secretes steroids. |
adrenalectomy | Surgical excision of an adrenal gland. |
adrenal glands | Two bean-shaped glands situated on top of the kidneys which secrete steroids and sex hormones. |
adrenal medulla | Inner section of the adrenal gland which secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine. |
aldosterone | Steroid produced in the adrenal cortex. Is essential to life. Maintains sodium and potassium levels. |
atrophy | Lack of development. |
Cortisol | A glucocorticoid secreted by the adrenal cortex. |
Cushing syndrome | Disorder caused by hypersecretion of the adrenal cortex, resulting in excessive production of steroids. |
diabetes mellitus | A common pancreatic disorder involving insulin secretion into the blood, either in too much or too little quantities. |
dwarfism | A condition of being abnormally small; may be hereditary or an endocrine dysfunction. |
endocrinology | The study of ductless glands, their secretions and their function of homeostasis. |
epinephrine | Adenaline - produced in the adrenal medulla. Increases heart rate, fat metabolism for energy and dilates the bronchial tubes. |
endocrine glands | Glands that secrete hormones directly into the blood stream. |
exophthalmos | Protrusion of eyes due to swelling in tissues; often associated with Graves disease. |
gigantism | Abnormal overgrowth of the entire body caused by hypersecretion of pituitary growth hormone before puberty. |
glucogenesis | Formation of glucose from glycogen. |
glucocorticoids | Steriods in the adrenal cortex that influence the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and proteins. |
glycogen | Substance in which carbohydrates are stored in the liver for future conversion into sugar. |
hyperglycemia | Excessive amount of sugar in the blood. |
Hyperinsulinism | Excessive amount of insulin in the blood-insulin shock. |
hypersecretion | Excessive secretion. |
hypocalcemia | Abnormally low amount of calcium in the blood. |
hypoglycemia | Too little sugar in the blood. |
hypogonadism | Underdevelopment of internal secretions of male sex glands. |
hypokalemia | Extreme depletion of potassium in the blood usually lost in diuresis. |
hyposecretion | Inadequate secretion. |
islets of Langerhans | Clusters of cells in the pancreas which produce insulin and glucagon. |
ketoacidosis | An acute stage of diabetes mellitus characterized by hypotension and eventually, coma. |
metabolism | Processes in which substances are broken down or built up during chemical reactions that are necessary to maintain life. |
mineralocorticoids | Hormones in the adrenal cortex that regulate water and mineral salts (electrolytes) in the body. |
norepinephrine | Noradrenaline;producted in the adrenal medulla, increases blood pressure and constricts vessels. |
oral hypoglycemics | Medications used to stimulate the pancreas to secrete insulin. |
pancreas | An organ that contains groups of cells called the islets of Langerhans which produce endocrine secretions, such as insulin and glucagon. |
parathyroid glands | Four separate glands that are located on the posterior surface of the lobes of the thyroid gland. |
pineal gland | Pine-cone shaped gland that is attached to the posterior part of the third ventricle of the brain which secretes melatonin. |
pituitary gland | Hypophysis; pea-shaped gland that is located at the base of the brain. |
polydipsia | Excessive thirst. |
polyphagia | A condition of eating abnormally large amounts of food. |
serum glucose tests | Blood tests to aid in the diagnosis of insulin deficiency. |
somatotropin | Human growth hormone found in the anterior pituitary lobe. |
thyroid echogram | Ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland. |
thyroid gland | Largest gland on the endocrine system. Located in the neck, just below the larynx. |
thyrotoxic | Thyroid poisoning. |
thyrotoxicosis | Abnormal condition of poisoning of the thyroid gland. |
thyroxine (T4) | One of the two major hormones produced by the thyroid. Regulates metabolism and energy levels. |
triiodothyronine (T3) | One of the two major hormones produced, stored and released by the thyroid gland. |