Question | Answer |
Enlarged features, particularly the face and hands; caused by hypersecretion of (pituitary) Growth Hormone, after puberty. | Acromegaly |
ACTH | Adrenocorticotropic |
Addison's Disease | Chronic disorder of the adrenal glands caused by deficiency of cortical hormones. |
Adenoma | Tumor of the gland. |
ADH | Antidiuretic Hormone-Vasopressin: promotes reabsorption of water in the kidneys. Released by posterior pituitary. |
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 steroid 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's Syndrome | Disorder caused by hypersecretion of the adrenal cortex, resulting in excessive production of steroids. Causing moonface, fatigue, high blood pressure and hirsutism. |
Diabetes Insipidus | Disorder more common in the young, caused by inadequate secretion of the antidiuretic hormone, which causes excessive thirst and excessive secretion of urine. |
Diabetes Mellitus | A common pancreatic disorder involving insulin secretion into the blood, either in too much or too little quantities, complete insulin deficiency in children caused by destruction of beta cells. |
Diuresis | Increased excretion of urine. |
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 | Adrenaline-produced in the adrenal medulla. Increases heart rate, fat metabolism for energy, and dilates the bronchial tubes; raises blood pressure. |
Exophthalmos | Protrusion of eyes due to swelling in tissues; often associated with Graves' Disease. |
FBS | Fasting Blood Sugar. |
FSH | Follicle Stimulating Hormone. |
GH | Growth Hormone. Also known as PGH. |
Gigantism | Abnormal overgrowth of the entire body caused by hypersecretion of Pituitary Growth Hormone before puberty. |
Glucogenesis | Formation of glucose from glycogen. |
Glucagon | Hormone secreted by the pancreas which increases the amount of glucose in the blood. |
Glucocorticoids | Steroids in the adrenal cortex that influence the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and protiens. |
Glycogen | Substance in which carbohydrates are stored in the liver for future conversion to sugar. |
Glucose | The most important carbohydrate(sugar) in body metabolism. |
Glucosuria | Glucose in the urine. |
Graves' Disease | Disorder of the thyroid-hyperthyroidism. Characterized by abnormal weight loss, muscular weakness, and emotional instability. |
GTT | Glucose Tolerance Test |
HCG | Human Chorionic Gonadotropin |
HDL | High Density Lipoproteins |
Hirsutism | A condition of abnormal hairiness, especially in females. |
Homestasis | A state of stable internal environmentof the body. |
Hormones | Secretions of endocrine glands which regulate function of the body. |
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 | Under-development of internal secretions of male sex glands. |
Hypokalemia | Extreme depletion of potassium in the blood usually lost in diuresis. |
Hyponatremia | Extreme depletion of sodium in the blood, usually through diuresis. |
Hyposecretion | Inadequate secretion. |
ICF | Intracellular fluid. |
ICSH | Interstitial cell stimulating hormone. |
Insulin | A hormone secreted by the Islets of Langerhans. Essential for metabolism of blood sugar. A hormone that lowers blood glucose levels by enabling the cell to take glucose in. Can also be made synthetically and given by injection. |
Islets of Langerhans | Clusters of cells in the pancreas which produce insulin and glucagon. |
ITT | Insulin Tolerance Test |
Ketoacidosis | An acute stage of diabetes mellitus characterized by hypotension and, eventually coma. |
LDL | Low Density Lipoproteins |
LH | Luteinizing Hormone |
LTH | Lactogenic Hormone (prolactin) |
Metabolism | Process in which substances are broken down or built up during chemical reactions that are necessary to maintain life. |
MSH | Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone, (melanin) |
Mineralcorticoids | Hormones in the adrenal cortex that regulate water and mineral salts (electrolytes) in the body. |
Norepinephrine | Noradrenaline; produced in the adrenal medulla. Increases blood pressure and constricts vessels. |
NPH | Neutral Protamine Hagedorn - a synthetic insulin. |
Obesity | Excessive accumulation of fat in the body. |
Oral Hypoglycemics | Medications used to stimulate the pancreas to secrete insulin. |
Pancreas | An organ that contains group of cells called the Islets of Langerhans which produce endocrine secretions, such as insulin and glucagon. |
Parathyroid | Four separate glands that are located on the posterior glands surfaces of the lobes of the thyroid gland. Main purpose to increase blood calcium levels. |
PGH | Pituitary Growth Hormone |
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 | Hypophisis; 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. |
Polyuria | Excessive secretion of urine. |
PTH | Parathyroid Hormone |
RAIU | Radioactive Iodine Uptake Test on the thyroid gland. |
Serum Glucose Tests | Blood tests to aid in the diagnosis of insulin deficiency. |
Somatotropin | Human growth hormone found in the anterior pituitary lobe. Released by posterior pituitary. |
Thyroid Echogram | Ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland. |
Thyroidectomy | Surgical excision of the thyroid gland. |
Thyroid Gland | Largest gland in the endcrine system. Located in the neck just below the larnyx. Appears as two lobes divided by an isthmus. |
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. |
TSH | Thyroid Stimulating Hormone. |