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Endocrine System
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| acr/o | extremities (hands and feet), top, extreme point |
| adren/o | adrenal glands |
| crin/o | secrete |
| -dipsia | thirst |
| glyc/o | glucose, sugar |
| gonad/o | gonad, sex glands |
| -ism | condition, state of |
| pancreat/o | pancreas |
| parathyroid/o | parathyroid glands |
| pineal/o | pineal gland |
| pituitar/o | pituitary gland |
| poly- | many |
| somat/o | body |
| thym/o | thymus gland |
| thyr/o, thyroid/o | thyroid gland |
| acromegaly | A rare chronic disease characterized by abnormal enlargement of the extremities (hands and feet) caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone after puberty. |
| Addison’s disease | A condition that occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough of the hormones cortisol or aldosterone. |
| adrenalitis | Inflammation of the adrenal glands. |
| aldosteronism | An abnormality of electrolyte balance caused by excessive secretion of aldosterone. |
| antidiuretic hormone | The hormone that helps control blood pressure by reducing the amount of water that is excreted through the kidneys. |
| calcitonin | A hormone that works with the parathyroid hormone to decrease calcium levels in the blood and tissues. |
| Conn’s syndrome | A disorder of the adrenal glands due to excessive production of aldosterone. |
| cortisol | A hormone that has an anti-inflammatory action; it also regulates the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in the body. |
| cretinism | A congenital form of hypothyroidism that, if not treated soon after birth, causes arrested physical and mental development. |
| Cushing’s syndrome | A condition caused by the overproduction of cortisol by the body or by taking corticosteroids to treat inflammatory diseases such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis; also known as hypercortisolism. |
| diabetes insipidus (DI) | A condition caused by insufficient production of the antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or by the inability of the kidneys to respond to ADH. |
| diabetes mellitus (DM) | A group of metabolic disorders characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. |
| diabetic retinopathy | Injury to the eye that occurs when diabetes damages the tiny blood vessels in the retina of the eye. |
| electrolytes | Mineral substances, such as sodium and potassium, normally found in the blood. |
| epinephrine (Epi, EPI) | A hormone that stimulates the sympathetic nervous system in response to physical injury or to mental stress such as fear; also known as adrenaline. |
| estrogen | A hormone with an important role in the development and maintenance of the female secondary sex characteristics and the regulation of the menstrual cycle. |
| exophthalmos | An abnormal protrusion of the eyeball out of the orbit. |
| follicle-stimulating hormone | The hormone that stimulates the secretion of estrogen and the growth of ova (eggs) in the ovaries of the female. In the male, it stimulates the production of sperm in the testicles (testes). |
| fructosamine test | A blood test that measures average glucose levels over the past 3 weeks. |
| gestational diabetes mellitus | The form of diabetes that occurs during some pregnancies. |
| gigantism | Abnormal growth of the entire body that is caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone before puberty. |
| glucagon | The hormone that increases the amount of glucose in the bloodstream by stimulating the liver to convert glycogen into glucose. |
| glucose | The basic form of energy used by the body; also known as blood sugar. |
| Graves’ disease (GD) | A disorder of unknown cause in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland and stimulates it to make excessive amounts of thyroid hormone, resulting in hyperthyroidism. |
| growth hormone | The hormone that regulates the growth of bone, muscle, and other body tissues. |
| gynecomastia | The condition of excessive mammary development in the male. |
| Hashimoto’s disease | An autoimmune disease in which the body's own antibodies attack and destroy the cells of the thyroid gland. |
| hypercalcemia | Abnormally high concentrations of calcium circulating in the blood instead of being stored in the bones and teeth. |
| hyperglycemia | An abnormally high concentration of glucose in the blood. |
| hyperinsulinism | A condition marked by excessive secretion of insulin in the bloodstream. |
| hyperpituitarism | The excessive secretion of growth hormone that causes acromegaly and gigantism. |
| hyperthyroidism | The overproduction of thyroid hormones, which causes an imbalance of metabolism. |
| hypoglycemia (HG) | An abnormally low concentration of glucose (sugar) in the blood. |
| hypothyroidism | A deficiency of thyroid secretion; also known as underactive thyroid. |
| insulin | The hormone secreted by the beta cells of the pancreatic islets in response to high levels of glucose in the bloodstream. Its function is to allow glucose to enter cells for energy or to stimulate the liver to convert glucose to glycogen for storage. |
| insulinoma | A benign tumor of the pancreas that causes hypoglycemia. |
| ketosis | A normal metabolic process that helps the body utilize stored fat when other sources of energy are lacking. |
| laparoscopic adrenalectomy | A minimally invasive procedure to surgically remove one or both adrenal glands. |
| leptin (LEP, LPT) | A protein hormone secreted by fat cells that is involved in the regulation of appetite. |
| luteinizing hormone | The hormone that stimulates ovulation in the female and production of the female sex hormone progesterone. In the male, it stimulates the secretion of testosterone. |
| myxedema | A severe form of adult hypothyroidism. |
| norepinephrine | A combination of a hormone and a neurohormone that plays an important role in the "fight-or-flight response.", |
| oxytocin | Hormone secreted by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland that stimulates uterine contractions during childbirth. |
| pancreatitis | Inflammation of the pancreas. |
| parathyroidectomy | The surgical removal of one or more of the parathyroid glands. |
| pituitary adenoma | One of two types of slow-growing, benign tumors of the pituitary gland that may or may not cause excess hormone secretion. |
| polydipsia | Excessive thirst. |
| polyphagia | Excessive hunger. |
| polyuria | Excessive urination. |
| prediabetes | A condition in which the blood sugar level is higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes. |
| progesterone | This hormone, whose function is to complete the preparation of the uterus for pregnancy, is released during the second half of the menstrual cycle by the corpus luteum in the ovary. |
| prolactinoma | A benign tumor of the pituitary gland that causes the gland to produce too much prolactin. |
| puberty | The process of physical changes by which a child's body becomes an adult body that is capable of reproducing. |
| radioactive iodine treatment | The oral administration of radioactive iodine to destroy thyroid cells. |
| steroids | A large family of hormonelike substances that share the same fat-soluble chemical structure. |
| testosterone | A steroid hormone secreted by the testes and the adrenal cortex that stimulates the development of male secondary sex characteristics. |
| thymectomy | The surgical removal of the thymus gland. |
| thymitis | Inflammation of the thymus gland. |
| thymosin | Hormone secreted by the thymus gland that stimulates the maturation of lymphocytes into T cells of the immune system. |
| thyroxine | One of the primary hormones secreted by the thyroid gland that regulate the rate of metabolism and affect the growth and rate of function of other body systems. |
| Hormones | chemical messengers that are secreted by endocrine glands directly into the bloodstream (see Chapter 2). This enables them to reach targeted cells and organs throughout the body. |
| Endocrine glands | which produce hormones, do not have ducts |
| pituitary gland | or hypophysis, is a pea-sized gland that is divided into two parts, the anterior and the posterior lobes. These lobes hang from a stalk-like structure located below the hypothalamus in the brain |
| adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) | stimulates the growth and secretions of the adrenal cortex |
| follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) | stimulates the secretion of estrogen and the growth of ova (eggs) in the ovaries of the female. In the male, it stimulates the production of sperm in the testicles (testes). |
| growth hormone (GH) | also known as the somatotropic hormone, regulates the growth of bone, muscle, and other body tissues |
| lactogenic hormone (LTH) | also known as prolactin, stimulates and maintains the secretion of breast milk in the mother after childbirth |
| luteinizing hormone (LH) | stimulates ovulation in the female. In the male, the luteinizing hormone stimulates the secretion of testosterone. |
| melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) | increases the production of melanin in melanocytes, thereby causing darkening of skin pigmentation (see Chapter 12). MSH production usually increases during pregnancy. |
| thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) | stimulates the secretion of hormones by the thyroid gland. |
| antidiuretic hormone (ADH) | is secreted by the hypothalamus and stored in the pituitary gland, helps control blood pressure by reducing the amount of water that is excreted through the kidneys |
| Oxytocin | stimulates uterine contractions during childbirth. After childbirth, oxytocin controls postnatal hemorrhage and stimulates the flow of milk from the mammary glands. Pitocin is a synthetic form of oxytocin that is administered to induce or speed up labor. |
| pineal gland | a very small endocrine gland, also known as the pineal body. It is located in the central portion of the brain and takes its name from the Latin word for pinecone, referring to the shape of the gland. |
| melatonin | influences the sleep–wakefulness portions of the circadian cycle. The term circadian cycle refers to the biological functions that occur within a 24-hour period. |
| thyroid gland | butterfly-shaped, lies on either side of the larynx, just below the thyroid artilage |
| thyroxine | The two primary thyroid hormones regulate the rate of metabolism and affect the growth and rate of function of many other body systems. They are: |
| triiodothyronine | The two primary thyroid hormones regulate the rate of metabolism and affect the growth and rate of function of many other body systems. They are: |
| Calcitonin | produced by the thyroid gland, is a hormone that works with the parathyroid hormone to decrease calcium levels in the blood and tissues by moving calcium into storage in the bones and teeth. |
| parathyroid glands | each of which is about the size of a grain of rice, are embedded in the posterior surface of the thyroid gland |
| parathyroid hormone (PTH) | works with the hormone calcitonin that is secreted by the thyroid gland. Together, they regulate the calcium levels in the blood and tissues. |
| thymus | located near the midline in the anterior portion of the thoracic cavity. It is posterior to (behind) the sternum and slightly superior to (above) the heart |
| pancreatic islets | those parts of the pancreas that have endocrine functions. An islet is a small isolated mass, or island, of one type of tissue within a larger mass of a different type. |
| adrenal glands | also known as the suprarenals, are so named because they are located on top of each kidney. Each of these glands consists of an outer portion, known as the adrenal cortex, and the middle portion, which is the adrenal medulla. |
| Electrolytes | mineral substances—>calcium, chloride, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, and potassium—that are normally found in the blood and other bodily fluids. |
| Androgens | sex hormones secreted by the gonads, the adrenal cortex, and fat cells. |
| Corticosteroids | the steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex. The same term describes synthetically produced equivalents that are administered as medications. |
| Aldosterone (ALD) | a corticosteroid that regulates the sodium and water levels in the body by increasing sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion by the kidneys. Reabsorption means returning a substance to the bloodstream. |
| Cortisol | also known as hydrocortisone, is a corticosteroid that has an anti-inflammatory action. It also helps regulate the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in the body. |
| gonads | gamete-producing glands. These are ovaries in females and testicles in males. |
| Puberty | physical changes by which a child’s body becomes an adult body that is capable of reproducing. It is marked by maturing of the genital organs, the development of secondary sex characteristics, and the first occurrence of menstruation in the female. |
| gamete | a reproductive cell. These are sperm in the male and ova (eggs) in the female. |
| Gonadotropin | any hormone that stimulates the gonads |
| Anabolic steroids | man-made substances that are chemically related to male sex hormones. They are used in the treatment of hormone problems in men and to help the body replace muscle mass lost due to disease. |
| Leptin | a protein hormone secreted by fat cells that is involved in the regulation of appetite. |
| ghrelin | a hormone produced in the gastrointestinal tract. Sometimes referred to as the hunger hormone, research is ongoing to flesh out the role that leptin and ghrelin play in rising levels of obesity. Ghrelin is a recent term created from the words |
| Neurohormones | produced and released by neurons in the brain, rather than by the endocrine glands, and delivered to organs and tissues through the bloodstream. One example is neurohormones secreted by the hypothalamus that control the secretions of the pituitary gland |
| endocrinologist | a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and malfunctions of the endocrine glands |
| certified diabetes educator (CDE) | a health care professional qualified to teach people with diabetes how to manage their disease. |
| Short stature | formerly known as dwarfism, is sometimes caused by deficient secretion of growth hormone |
| Galactorrhea | a condition in which an excess of prolactin causes the breasts to produce milk spontaneously, not due to childbirth |
| Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) | caused by the overproduction of the antidiuretic hormone ADH. This is often as a result of cancer or its treatment. High amounts of ADH keep the kidneys from excreting water, resulting in bloating and water retention that can dilute the blood |
| pinealoma | a tumor of the pineal gland that can disrupt the production of melatonin (pineal means pineal gland, and -oma means tumor). This tumor can also cause insomnia by disrupting the circadian cycle. |
| Thyroid carcinoma | the most common cancer of the endocrine system, and is the most rapidly increasing cancer in the United States. Thyroid carcinoma, which has a high survival rate, affects significantly more women than men and is commonly diagnosed between ages 20 and 55. |
| thyroid storm | thyrotoxic crisis, is a relatively rare, life-threatening condition caused by exaggerated hyperthyroidism. Patients experiencing a thyroid storm may complain of fever, chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, tremors, increased sweating, |
| Goiter | also known as thyromegaly, is an abnormal, benign enlargement of the thyroid gland (thyr/o means thyroid, and -megaly means abnormal enlargement). This enlargement produces a swelling in the front of the neck. |
| Hyperparathyroidism | the overproduction of the parathyroid hormone, causes the condition known as hypercalcemia. Hyperparathyroidism can result from a disorder of the parathyroid gland or from a disorder elsewhere in the body, such as kidney failure. |
| Hypoparathyroidism | caused by an insufficient or absent secretion of the parathyroid hormone. This condition causes hypocalcemia, and in severe cases, it leads to tetany. Tetany is the condition of periodic, painful muscle spasms and tremors. |
| Hypocalcemia | characterized by abnormally low levels of calcium in the blood |
| Type 1 diabetes | an autoimmune insulin deficiency disorder caused by the destruction of pancreatic islet beta cells. Insulin deficiency means that the pancreatic beta cells do not secrete enough insulin. For more information about autoimmune disorders, see |
| Type 2 diabetes | an insulin resistance disorder. Insulin resistance means that insulin is being produced, but the body does not use it effectively. In an attempt to compensate for this lack of response, the body secretes more insulin. |
| Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) | also known as Type 1.5 diabetes, is a condition in which type 1 diabetes develops in adults. It shares many of the characteristics of type 2 diabetes; however, autoimmune antibodies are present. Latent means present but not visible. |
| diabetic coma | caused by very high blood glucose (hyperglycemia). Also known as diabetic ketoacidosis, this condition is treated by the prompt administration of insulin. |
| Insulin shock | caused by very low blood glucose (hypoglycemia). Oral glucose, which is a sugary substance that can quickly be absorbed into the bloodstream, is consumed to rapidly raise the blood sugar level. |
| pheochromocytoma | a rare, benign tumor of the adrenal gland that causes too much release of epinephrine and norepinephrine, which are the hormones that regulate heart rate and blood pressure |
| Hypergonadism | the condition of excessive secretion of hormones by the sex glands |
| Hypogonadism | the condition of deficient secretion of hormones by the sex glands |
| radioactive iodine uptake test (RAIU) | uses radioactive iodine administered orally to measure thyroid function. The amount of radioactivity in the thyroid is measured 6 to 24 hours later using a handheld instrument called a gamma probe. |
| thyroid-stimulating hormone assay | a diagnostic test to measure the circulating blood level of thyroid-stimulating hormone. This test is used to detect abnormal thyroid activity resulting from excessive pituitary stimulation. |
| thyroid scan | measures thyroid function, is a form of nuclear medicine |
| fasting blood sugar test (FBS) | also known as a fasting plasma glucose test, measures the blood glucose levels after the patient has not eaten for 8 to 12 hours. This test is used to screen for diabetes as well as to monitor treatment of this condition |
| oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) | most commonly performed to diagnose gestational diabetes. After fasting at least 8 hours, the patient drinks a liquid containing a high concentration of sugar, and the blood glucose level is tested after 1 hour and again after 2 hours. |
| Home blood glucose monitoring | measures the current blood glucose level using a drop of blood, and is often performed by the patient multiple times per day. |
| Hemoglobin A1c testing | also known as HbA1c, pronounced as “H-B A-one-C,” is a blood test that measures the average blood glucose level over the previous 3 to 4 months. (Note: The name of this test is sometimes shortened to A1c.) |
| The fructosamine test (FA) | measures average glucose levels over the previous 3 weeks. The fructosamine test is able to detect changes more rapidly than the HbAlc test. |
| human growth hormone (HGH) | a synthetic version of the growth hormone that is administered to stimulate growth when the natural supply of growth hormone is insufficient for normal development. |
| hypophysectomy | the removal of abnormal glandular tissue |
| pinealectomy | the surgical removal of the pineal gland |
| antithyroid drug | a medication administered to slow the ability of the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones. |
| Radioactive iodine treatment (RAI) | the oral administration of radioactive iodine to destroy thyroid cells. This nuclear medicine procedure, which disables at least part of the thyroid gland, is used to treat thyroid cancer and chronic hyperthyroid disorders such as Graves’ disease. |
| lobectomy | the surgical removal of one lobe of the thyroid gland. This term is also used to describe the removal of a lobe of the liver, brain, or lung. |
| Synthetic thyroid hormones | oral medications administered to replace lost thyroid function. |
| pancreatectomy | the surgical removal of all or part of the pancreas. A total pancreatectomy is performed to treat pancreatic cancer. This procedure also involves removing the spleen, gallbladder, common bile duct, and portions of the small intestine and stomach. |
| laparoscopic adrenalectomy | a minimally invasive surgical procedure to remove one or both adrenal glands |
| Cortisone | the synthetic equivalent of corticosteroids produced by the adrenal glands. Cortisone, and the synthetic corticosteroid prednisone, are administered to suppress inflammation and as an immunosuppressant |
| thyroid stimulating hormone | TSH |
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