Question | Answer |
Acromegaly | Enlarged features;particularly the face and hands;caused by hypersecretion of (Pituitary) Growth Hormone,after puberty. |
ACTH | Adrenocorticotropic Hormone. |
Addison's Disease | Chronic disorder of the adrenal glands caused by deficiency of cortical hormones. |
Adenoma | Tumor of a gland. |
ADH | Antidiuretic Hormone-Vasopressin:promotes reabsorption of water in the kidneys,released by posterior pituitary. |
Adrenal Cortex | Outer section of the gland which secretes steroids. |
Adrenalectomy | Surgical excision of an adrenal gland. |
Adenal 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 steroids. |
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 commonly 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. |
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 the heart rate,fat metabolism for energy,and dilates the bronchial tubes. Raises blood pressure. |
Exophthalmos | Protrusion of the eyes due to swelling in tissues;often associated with Grave's 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 proteins. |
Glycogen | Substances which carbohydrates are stored in the liver for future conversion into sugar. |
Glucose | The most important carbohydrate (sugar) in the body metabolism. |
Glucosuria | Glucose in the urine. |
Graves' Disease | Disorder of the thyroid-hyperthyroidism.Characterized by abnormal weight loss,muscual weakness,and emotional instability. |
GTT | Glucose Tolerance Test. |
HCG | Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. |
HDL | High Density Lipoproteins. |
Hirsutism | A condition of abnormal hairness,especially in females. |
Homeostasis | A state of stable internal environment of the body. |
Hormones | Secretions of endocrine glands which regulate function of the body (i.e. testosterone in males and estrogen in females). |
Hyperglycemia | Excessive amount of sugar in the blood. |
Hyperinsulinism | Excessive amount of insulin in the blood-insulin shock. |
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 duiresis. |
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 (glucose).Can also be made synthically 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 | Processes 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 adreanl cortex that regulates 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 groups of cells called the Islets of Langerhans which produce endocrine secretions, such as insulin and glucagon. |
Parathyroid | Four seperate 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 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.Realeased by anterior pituitary. |
Thyroid Echogram | Ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland. |
Thyroidectomy | Surgical excision of the thyroid gland. |
Thyroid Gland | Largest gland on the endocrine system. Located in the neck, just below the larynx. Appears as two lobes divide 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. |