Medical Terminology: Endocrine System

Enlargement of the extremities; caused by hypersecretion of the anterior pituitary after puberty.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone

Glycosylated Hemoglobin Test; measures long-term glucose control.

Hypofuntioning of the adrenal cortex; primary insufficiency is believed to be due to autoimmune adrenalitis.

Gland

Excision of a gland.

Anterior lobe of pituitary gland; secretes growth hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and prolactin.

Goiter in which hyperplasia occurs as well as nodules and adenomas; AKA - Nodular Goiter.

Antidiuretic Hormone

Adrenal glands

Outer section of adrenal gland; secretes cortisol, aldosterone, androgens and estrogens (sex hormones).

Located on top of each kidney; consists of two parts (adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla).

Inner section of adrenal gland; secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Excessive secretion of adrenal androgens.

Excision of adrenal gland(s).

Hormone secreted by adrenal medulla; increases heart rate and BP; AKA - Epinephrine.

Hormone secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland; controls development and function of adrenal cortex; AKA - Adrenocortiocotropin.

Hormone secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland; controls development and function of adrenal cortex; AKA - Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH).

Any disease of the adrenal glands.

Hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex; It increase sodium reabsorption by the kidneys.

Male

Male hormone secreted by testes and to a lesser extent by the adrenal cortex; stimulates development of male characteristics.

Hormone secreted by posterior lobe of pituitary gland; increases water reabsorption by the kidneys; SYN - Vasopressin.

Autoimmune disease in which there is inflammation, and then destruction of the thyroid gland; ultimately results in hypothyroidism; AKA - Hasimoto Disease.

Calcium

Hormone secreted by thyroid gland; decreases blood calcium levels.

Hormones derived from an amino acid; secreted by the adrenal medulla; example is epinephrine.

Hormone secreted by the GI tract; contracts the gallbladder.

Cortex, outer region

Steroidal hormones secreted by the cortex of the adrenal gland or manufactured synthetically; examples include cortisol, aldosterone, androgens, and estrogens.

Glucocortical Hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex; increases blood sugar; secreted in times of stress and has anti-inflammatory effect; SYN - hydrocortisone.

Extreme hypothyroidism during infancy and childhood; leads to a lack of normal physical and mental growth.

Secrete

Group of symptoms produced by excess cortisol from the adrenal cortex; most cases occur as a result of prolonged use of steroids.

Insufficient secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH); symptoms include polyuria and polydipsia.

Lack of insulin secretion of resistance of insulin in promoting sugar, starch, and fat metabolism in cells; prevents sugar from leaving the blood and entering the cells; types are Type 1 and Type 2.

Secondary complication of diabetes mellitus, involving destruction of the kidney, caused by renal insufficiency.

Secondary complication of diabetes mellitus, involving the destruction of nerves responsible for pain and sensation; most common in the extremities.

Secondary complication of diabetes mellitus involving destruction of the blood vessels of the retina, causing vision loss and blindness.

Thirst

Congenotal hyposecretion of growth hormone; AKA - Hypopituitary Dwarfism. Note: This is different from achondroplastic dwarfism, where cartilage formation limits the growth of long bones.

Solution that conducts electricity; common electrolytes include potassium, sodium, and calcium.

Goiter that occurs in certain regions and peoples where there is a lack of iodine in the diet.

Glands which secrete hormones directly into the blood; AKA - ductless glands.

Hormone secreted by adrenal medulla; increases heart rate and BP; AKA - Adrenaline.

Hormone secreted by the kidneys; stimulates RBC production.

Female

Female hormone secreted by the ovaries; type of estrogen; large quantities are found in the urine of pregnant women.

Female hormone secreted by the ovaries and to a lesser extent by the adrenal cortex; responsible for cyclic changes in vaginal epithelium and endometrium of the uterus; examples include estradiol and estrone.

Acting to produce the effects of estrogen.

Having a normally functioning thyroid gland.

Glands which secrete substances via ducts to the outside of the body.

Measurement of eyeball protrusion with an exphthalmometer.

Protrusion of the eyeballs.

Instrument used to measure eyeball protrusion.

Measures circulating glucose level after fasting at least 4 hours; used to diagnose diabetes mellitus.

Fasting Blood Sugar Test; measures circulating glucose level after fasting at least 4 hours; used to diagnose diametes mellitus.

Hormone secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland; stimulates maturation of the ovarian follicles in females and spermatogenesis in males.

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone

Hormone secreted by the GI tract; stimulates gastric secretion.

Delayed emptying of food from the stomach into the small bowel; may be a chronic complication of diseases marked by autonomic failures, such as diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, and amyloidosis.

Diabetes resulting from hormonal changes in pregnant women who have a predisposition to diabetes; occurs during the second or third trimester; after delivery, blood glucose returns to normal.

Growth Hormone

Hypersecretion of growth hormone from anterior lobe of the pituitary gland before puberty, leading to abnormal overgrowth of body tissues.

Sugar

Polypeptide hormone secreted by the alpha cells of the pancreas; increases blood glucose level by stimulating the liver to change glycogen to glucose; glucagon opposes the action of insulin.

Steroidal hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex; regulate glucose, fat, and protein metabolism.

Abnormal amount of glucose in the urine. SYN: Glycosuria.

Pertaining to the level of glucose in the blood.

Polysaccharide which is the storage form for glucose in the liver and muscles.

Abnormal amount of glucose in the urine. SYN: Glucosuria.

Measures long-term glucose control; high level indicates poor glucose control in diabetic patients.

Enlargement of the thyroid gland.

Sex glands

Hormones that acts upon the gonads; influence the growth and hormone secretion of the ovaries and testes; AKA - Gonadotropins.

Hormones that acts upon the gonads; influence the growth and hormone secretion of the ovaries and testes; AKA - Gonadotropic Hormones.

Type of hyperthyroidism; caused by an autoimmune attack on the thyroid gland; typically produces enlargement of the thyroid gland.

Hormone secreted by the anterior lobe of pituitary gland; stimulates growth of bones and soft tissues; SYN - Somatotropin (STH).

Autoimmune disease in which there is inflammation, and then destruction of the thyroid gland; ultimately results in hypothyroidism; AKA - Autoimmune Thyroiditis.

Glycosylated Hemoglobin Test; measures long-term glucose control.

Excessive hair on the face and body.

Sameness

Tendency of an organism to maintain a constant dynamic equalibrium.

Substance originating in an organ, gland, or body part that is conveyed through the blood to another body part, chemically stimulating that part.

Cortisol (Glucocorticoid); Aldosterone; Androgens and Estrogens.

Epinephrine; Norepinephrine.

Growth Hormone; Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Follicle-Stimulating Hormone; Luteinizing Hormone; Prolactin.

Estrogens; Progesterone.

Insulin; Glucagon.

Parathyroid Hormone

Antidiuretic Hormone; Oxytocin.

Testosterone

Thyroxine (T4); Triiodothyronine (T3); Calcitonin.

Hormone secreted by the placenta; sustains pregnancy.

Excessive amount of calcium in the blood.

Excessive amount of calcium in the urine.

Excessive amount of glucose in the blood.

Excess secretion of insulin causing hypoglycemia; cause may be a tumor of the pancreas, or an overdose of insulin.

High levels of potassium in the blood.

Excessive production of parathormone; caused by parathyroid hyperplasia or a parathyroid tumor.

Overactivity of the thyroid gland; most common form is Graves disease.

Abnormally low blood calcium level.

Abnormally low lever of glucose in the blood.

Inadequate production of sex hormones.

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, or relative deficiency in insulin secretion or insulin dosing.

Abnormally low level of potassium in the blood.

Decreased concentration of sodium in the blood.

Deficient production of parathyroid hormone.

Excision of the hypophsis cerebi.

Located at the base of the brain in the sella turcica; composed of two lobes (anterior and posterior); AKA - Pituitary Gland.

Condition resulting from diminished secretion of pituitary hormone, especially those of the anterior lobe; pituitary dwarfism is caused by hypopituitarism.

Region in the brain below the thalamus and above the pituitary gland; secretes hormones that affect the pituitary gland.

Underactivity of the thyroid gland; effects include fatigue, muscular and mental sluggishness, weight gain, fluid retention, slow heart rate, low body temperature, and constipation.

Tasteless (reflecting condition of dilute urine).

Hormone secreted by the beta cells of the pancreas; lowers blood sugar by conversion of glucose to glycogen.

Severe hypoglycemia caused by an overdose of insulin, decreased intake of food, or excessive exercise.

Hormone-producing cells of the pancreas.

Narrow strip of glandular tissue that connects the two lobes of the thyroid gland.

Postassium

Improper burning of fats, leading to an accumulation of ketones and acids in the body; primary complication of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

Milk

Luteinizing Hormone

Hormone produced by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland; stimulates ovulation in females and testosterone secretion in males.

Hormone secreted by the pineal gland; supports the body's "biological clock."

Sweet or honey (reflecting sugar content in uring).

Steroidal hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex; regulates mineral salts (electrolytes) and water balance; example is aldosterone.

Mucus

Type of advanced hypothyroidism in adulthood; atrophy of the thyroid gland occurs.

Sodium

Posterior lobe of pituitary gland; secretes antidiuretic hormone, and oxytocin.

Goiter in which hyperplasia occurs as well as nodules and adenomas; AKA - Adenomatous Goiter.

Hormone produced by the adrenal medulla; increases heart rate and BP; also is a neurotransmitter released by most sympathetic postganglionic neurons and by some neurons of the brain.

Non-fasting test where the patient drinks 75 grams of glucose and blood samples are drawn at 0, 30. 60. 90, and 120 minutes; used to diagnose gestational diabetes.

Oxytocin

Female gonads; responsible for egg production; secretes estrogen and progesterone.

Hormone secreted by posterior lobe of pituitary gland; stimulates the uterus to contract during childbirth; also acts on the mammary gland to stimulate the release of milk.

Pancreas

Located behind the stomach; Alpha and Beta Islet cells (Islets of Langerhans) secrete insulin and glucagon.

Surgical removal or all or part of the pancreas; total pancreatectomy produces diabetes mellitus due to the removal of insulin-producing cells.

All pituitary hormones are deficient; tumors of the sella turcica, as well as arterial aneurysms may be etiologic factors.

Hormone secreted by the parathyroid glands; increases blood calcium.

Four small glands on posterior of thyroid gland; secretes parathyroid hormone.

Excision of one or more of the parathyroid glands; used as a treatment of hyperparathyroidism or neoplasm.

Benign tumor of the adrenal medulla.

Growing

Located in the central portion of the brain; secretes melatonin.

Pituitary gland

Located at the base of the brain in the sella turcica; composed of two lobes (anterior and posterior); AKA - Hypophysis.

Excessive thirst.

Excessive urination.

Prolactin

Steroid hormone secreted from the corpus luteum of the ovary and by the placenta; prepares the uterus endometrium for pregnancy.

Hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland; stimulates breast development and milk formation during pregnancy.

Homone-like substances that affect the body.

Parathromone

Assesses thyroid function; radioactive iodine is administered orally, and its uptake by the thyroid gland is imaged.

Cellular or nuclear protein that binds to a hormone to elicit a response.

Condition marked by depression during the winter months; linked to the pineal gland.

Hormone secreted by the GI tract; stimulates pancreatic secretion.

Cavity in the skull that contains the pituitary gland.

Steroids (androgens and estrogens) produced by adrenal cortex; influences male and female sexual characteristics.

Syndrome of Inappropriate ADH

Body

Hormone secreted by the anterior lobe of pituitary gland; stimulates growth of bones and soft tissues; SYN - Growth Hormone (GH).

Solid structure

Complex, solid, ring-shaped molecule resembles a sterol (such as cholesterol).

Somatotropin

Pertaining to mimicking the effect of the sympathetic nervous system.

Excessive secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH); tumor, drug reactions, and head injury are possible causes.

Cells of an organ that are affected or stimulated by specific hormones.

Male gonads; responsible for sperm production; secretes testosterone.

Steroidal sex hormone; secretd by testes; responsible for development of masculine characteristics.

Constant muscle contration.

Hormone secreted by the thyroid gland; increases metabolism; SYN - Tetraiodothyronine.

Hormone secreted by the thymus gland; important in the development of immune responses in newborns.

Located behind the sternum; contains lymphatic tissue and secretes thymosin.

Thyroid gland

Cancer of the thyroid gland.

Measurement of thyroxine (T3), triiodothyronine (T4), and Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) in the blood.

Located in the neck on either side of trachea; secretes thyroxine (T3), triiodothyronine (T4), and calcitonin.

Scanner detects radioactivity and visualizes the thyroid gland after intravenous administration of a radioactive compound.

Best method to evaluate thyroid structures and abnormalities (nodules).

Inflammation of the thyroid gland.

Hormone secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland; stimulates thyroid gland to secrete thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). SYN - Thyrotropin and Thyrotropic Hormone.

Condition resulting from exposure of body tissues to excessive levels of thyroid hormones.

Hormone secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland; stimulates thyroid gland to secrete thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). SYN - Thyrotropin and Thyroid-Stumulating Hormone.

Hormone secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland; stimulates thyroid gland to secrete thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). SYN - Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone and Thyrotropic Hormone.

Hormone secreted by the thyroid gland; increases metabolism; SYN - Tetraiodothyronine.

Childbirth

Hormone secreted by the thyroid gland; increases metabolism in cells.

Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone

Type of diabetes mellitus; onset usually in childhood (before 30 years of age); involves destruction of the beta inlet cells of the pancreas and complete deficiency of insulin in the body; Type 1 is controlled by insulin.

Type of diabetes mellitus; patients are usually older than 30 years of age; obesity is very common; inlet cells of the pancreas are not initially destroyed; there is a relative deficiency of insulin secretion with a resistance by target tissues to the action of insulin; Type 2 is controlled by diet, oral hypoglycemics, or insulin.

Urine

Measures small quantities of albumin in urine as a marker for diabetic nephropathy.

Hormone secreted by posterior lobe of pituitary gland; increases water reabsorption by the kidneys; SYN - Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH).

Production of masculine secondary sex changes in women.

Secreted by the skin; affects absorption of calcium in the GI tract.