Term | Definition |
Addison disease | Chronic disorder of the adrenal glands caused by a deficiency of cortical hormones |
Adenoma | Tumour of a gland |
antidiuretic | Vasopressin: promotes reabsorption of water in teh kidneys |
adrenal cortex | Outer section of the adrenal gland which secretes steriods |
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 |
adenal 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 |
dwarfism | a condition ob 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 reate, fat metabolism for energy, dilates the brochial tubes. |
endocrine glands | glands that secrete hormones directly into the blood stream |
exophthalmos | protusion of eyes due to swelling in tissues; often assocatied 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 | cluster of cells in the pancreas which produce insulin and glucagon |
ketoacidosis | an acute stage of diabetes mellitus characterized by hypotension and, evntually coma |
metabolism | processes in which substances are broken down or built up during chemical reactions taht are necesary to maintain life |
mineralocorticoids | hormones in the adrenal cortex taht regulates water and mineral salts (electrolytes) in the body |
norepinephrine | noradrenaline; produced 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 taht are located on teh 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 taht 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 teh 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. |