Term | Meaning |
thyroid | produces T3, T4 & calcitonin |
adrenal cortex | the portion of the suprarenal gland that secretes 3 types of steriod hormones called corticosteroids |
parathyroid glands | 4 glands attached to each thyroid lobe that produce parathyroid hormone (PTH) |
pancreas | produces glucagon and insulin |
adenohypophysis | the pituitary's anterior portion, which secretes growth hormone (GH). this hormone stimulates the growth of bones, muscles, and organs; also called somatropin |
ovaries | almond-shaped glands in the pelvic cavity that produce estrogen and progesterone |
neurohypophysis | the pituitary's posterior lobe, which secretes antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and oxytocin |
adrenal medulla | the portion of the suprarenal gland that secretes epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine |
pineal gland | gland believed to secrete melatonin |
thymus gland | gland that produces thymosin, which is important in the immune responses in children |
hirsutism | excessive growth of hair or presence of hair in unusual places, especially in women |
exophthalmos | protrusion of the eyeballs; often a sign of hyperthyroidism |
IDDM | occurs mostly in children and adolescents; characterized by destruction of beta cells of the islets of Langerhans with complete insulin deficiency in the body. Treatment includes daily injections of insulin |
hyperkalemia | excessive amount of potassium in the blood |
acromegaly | chronic disease of middle-aged persons characterized by enlarged features, particulary of the bone, face, hands, and extremities due to hypersecretion of GH |
thyromegaly | enlargement of the thyroid gland; also referred to as goiter |
polyuria | excretion of abnormally large amounts of urine |
myxedema | the most severe form of hpothyroidism. It is characterized by swelling of the hands, face, feet and periorbital tissues |
endogenous | originating from within the body or produced from internal causes |
polydipsia | excessive thirst characteristic of diabetes mellitus |
thyroid storm | thyrotoxic crisis. It may be fatal if left untreated |
hyperglycemia | abnormally high levels of glucose in the blood as in diabetes |
hypervolemia | abnormal increase in the amount of intravascular fluid, particularly in the volume of circulating blood |
hyponatremia | a decreased concentration of sodium in the blood |
hypogonadism | underproduction of sex hormones by the ovaries and testes |