Term | Definition |
Gland | a cell, tissue or organ that manufactures a substance and secretes it to be used elsewhere in the body |
Exocrine Glands | (exo=out, crine=secrete) those glands with tubes which carry their secretions from the gland to another organ or to the exterior of the body. example: tears, saliva, sweat, etc. |
Endocrine glands | (endo=within) ductless glands which produce and secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream. |
Hormones | "chemical messengers" a chemical substance secreted into the bloodstream by the endocrine glands which has a specific effect on the body functions. |
Steriods | complex substances which are the basic of many hormones |
Chemical Messengers | Hormones; act on other cells throughout the body |
Pituitary Gland | embedded in the sella turcica of the sphenoid bone; secretes the most hormones in the body; "master gland" 1/2 inch in size, looks like a walnut (oval shape) |
Pineal gland | cone shaped behind the midbrain and 3rd ventricle |
Thymus gland | in the mediastinum, above the heart |
Thyroid gland | throat, around the trachea; connected by a band called the isthmus |
Parathyroid gland | embedded in the posterior aspect of thyroid glands |
Pancreas | posterior to stomach, epigastric region |
Adrenal glands | situated on top of each kidney |
Ovaries | bilateral inguinal region |
Testes | scrotal sac |
Medulla | the inner portion of the adrenal glands activated by the sympathetic division of the ANS |
Cortex | Covering; The outer portion of the adrenal glands |
"fight or flight" | initial sympathetic nervous system response |
Epinephrine | the main hormone in the initial stress response |
Cortisol | the second hormone to help our body survive stress; also known as an anti-inflammatory |
Cachexia | general ill-health and malnutrition |
Exophthalmos | abnormal protrusion of the eyeballs |
Gynecomastia | breast development in the make |
Hirsutism | abnormal hairiness in females |
Malaise | general sense of being ill |
Polydipsia | excessive thirst |
Diabetes Type 2 | Diet and exercise is the first line of treatment |
Diabetes Type 1 | Insulin is the first line of treatment |
Diabetes | Diagnosis is determined by a using a Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT) |
Hypoglycemia | Blood sugar less than 70 |
Cushings disease | is a hypersecretion of Glucocorticoids (Cortisol) found in the adrenal cortex |
Grave's disease | is a hypersecretion of the Thyroid gland |
Addison's disease | is a hyposecretion of Glucocorticoids (Cortisol) found in the adrenal cortex |
Gigantism | is a hypersecretion of the Growth hormone(GH) before puberty found in the Anterior Pituitary |
Diabetes insipidus | is a hyposecretion of the Postierior Pituitary gland |
Myxedema | is a hyposecretion of the Thyroid |
Acromegaly | is a hypersecretion of the Growth hormone(GH) after puberty found in the Anterior Pituitary gland |
Diabetes mellitus | is a hyposecretion which can be type 1 or type found in the Pancreas |
Goiter | Enlargement of the thyroid caused by hyper and hypothyroidism, inflammation, and lack of iodine in the diet |