Endocrine System

hypophysis

pituitary gland - often referred to as the master gland

sella turcica

Name of bony receptacle where the pituitary gland is located. Located under the brain.

infundibulum

A stalk which attaches the pituitary gland to the underside of the brain.

Hormones secreted by the pituitary

Growth hormone (GH), Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), Prolactin, Oxytocin, Vasopressin

circle of Willis

This surrounds the pituitary gland and provides it with blood exchange

growth hormone

Regulates the growth of body tissues.

thyroid stimulating hormone

Regulates the thyroid gland.

adrenocorticotropic hormone

Assures normal function of the adrenal cortex and breaks down fats.

follicle stimulating hormone

Stimulates testes to produce sperm in males, stimulates production of estrogen in females.

luteinizing hormone

Works in conjunction with FSH to induce ovulation and produce progesterone.

prolactin

Works with other hormones to initiate secretion of milk by the mammary glands.

oxytocin

Causes uterine contractions during labor and stimulates the mammary glands.

vasopressin

Constricts blood vessels causing increased blood pressure and permits kidneys to reabsorb water.

thyroid gland

positioned just below the larynx, largest of the endocrine glands. Secretes hormones that regulate normal growth and development, including mental processes and sexual maturity.

follicles

round hollow sacs which synthesize the thyroid hormones and store them

thyroid hormone

The hormone that regulates normal growth and development

iodine

Hormones in the thyroid are primarily made up of

thyrocalcitonin

The hormone that regulates the calcium balance in the blood.

pancreas

flat, tongue-shaped fleshy organ lying against the abdominal wall in the left upper quadrant and and functions as both an exocrine and endocrine gland

islets of Langerhans

Endocrine portion of the pancreas that consists of scattered clusters of cells.

alpha & beta cells

Two types of cells that make up islets of Langerhans.

alpha cells

produce a hormone called glucagon

glucagon

converts glycogen into glucose and regulates the level of glucose in the blood.

beta cells

produce a hormone called insulin that increases the cellular utilization of glucose.

Delta cells

rare cells that secrete somatostatin

F (PP) cells

secrete pancreatic polypeptide (a hormone that may inhibit pancreatic exocrine activity).

inner medulla of adrenal glands

produces two hormones, epinephrine and norepinephrine.

adrenalin

Another name for epinephrine and norepinephrine. increase cardiac output and heart rate, dilate coronary vessels, increase mental alertness, increase respiratory rate, and elevate the overall metabolic rate.

outer cortex of adrenal glands

produces a variety of hormones, including cortisol to regulate carbohydrate and protein metabolism, aldosterone to control fluid and electrolyte balance, and androgen (male hormones) that affect the growth of body and facial hair.

cortisol

regulate carbohydrate and protein metabolism

aldosterone

control fluid and electrolyte balance

androgen

affect the growth of body and facial hair

gonads

male and female sex glands

interstitial cells of the testes

produce and secrete the male sex hormone testosterone.

testosterone

controls the development and function of the male secondary sex organs, as well as the secondary sexual characteristics. It is also responsible for regulating the male sex drive.

pineal gland

also known as epophysis cerebri or simply epiphysis. is a cone-shaped body less than 1 cm at its widest dimension, which is attached to the third ventricle of the brain. releases a hormone called melatonin that plays a role in sexual maturation and in mai

melatonin

plays a role in sexual maturation and in maintaining daily body rhythms.

secretin

There are cells present in the mucosal layer of the duodenum that secrete a hormone called ___ which stimulates the pancreas to secrete digestive juices

placenta

an organ that provides nutrient and waste exchanges between mother and fetus, also functions as an endocrine gland. It secretes at least three hormones that ensure a normal pregnancy.

thymus gland

secretes a group of hormones which appear to play an important role in the mechanism of immunity.

exocrine

Secretes fluids that are transported via "ducts" to their appropriate destinations and function within a particular body system.

endocrine

Secretes chemicals, called hormones, directly into the blood.

pituitary

Referred to as the master gland because it is responsible for the regulation of so many body activities.

parathyroids

Hormone secreted is called parathormone (PTH). This hormone regulates the ratio of calcium and phosphorus in the blood and bone tissues.

adrenals

Triangular-shaped glands that sit atop of each kidney. Each one has an outer cortex and an inner medulla that individually function as separate glands.

hypothalamus

Controls the release of hormones from the pituitary gland.

adrenocorticotropic

Hormone that assures normal function of the adrenal cortex. It also works on all cells to help break down fats.

isthmus

Connects the two lobes of the thyroid gland.

thyroxine

Regulates normal growth and development, including mental processes and sexual maturity.

calcitonin

Regulates the calcium balance of the blood.

insulin

Increases the cellular utilization of glucose.

epinephrine

Increases cardiac output and heart rate, dilates coronary vessels, increase mental alertness, increases respiratory rate, and elevates the overall metabolic rate.

norepinephrine

Increases cardiac output and heart rate, dilates coronary vessels, increase mental alertness, increases respiratory rate, and elevates the overall metabolic rate.

acromegaly

Disease characterized by large, coarse features, particularly of the face and hands. This results from overproduction of the growth hormone.

Addison's disease

A chronic type of adrenocortical insufficiency, characterized by hypotension, weight loss, anorexia, weakness, and a bronze-like hyperpigmentation of the skin.

cachexia

A profound and marked state of constitutional disorder; general ill health and malnutrition.

Cushing syndrome

A condition resulting from an excess of the adrenocorticotropin hormone

cystic fibrosis

Widespread dysfunction of the exocrine glands occurring in infants, children, and young adults

de Quervain disease

A condition characterized by fever and painful enlargement of the thyroid gland, often following a viral infection.

diabetes insipidus

A temporary or chronic disorder of the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland involving a deficiency of the vasopressin hormone.

diabetes mellitus

A syndrome characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from impaired insulin secretion or effectiveness. It is classified into two main categories, noninsulin dependent and insulin dependent.

Diabetes Mellitus Type 1

also called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Type 1 is also referred to as juvenile diabetes. It is characterized by an abrupt onset of symptoms, usually in early adolescence, in persons who suffer from an insufficient amount of insulin being p

Diabetes Mellitus Type 2

may be either non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). This is also referred to as adult-onset diabetes, because it is usually found in adults over 45 who have a family history of diabetes, are overwei

dwarfism

The congenital underdevelopment of the body.

endemic

Present or prevalent in a population or geographic area at all times; said of a disease or agent.

galactorrhea

Excessive or spontaneous flow of milk

goiter

A general term for enlargement of the thyroid gland due to diminished thyroxine production but without hypothyroidism.

Graves disease

A disease characterized by hyperthyroidism and one or more of the following: goiter, exophthalmos (bulging of the eyeballs, also spelled exophthalmus), and pretibial myxedema.

Hashimoto disease

A chronic inflammation of the thyroid with lymphocytic infiltration of the gland, thought to be caused by autoimmune disorders. This is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. It is much more frequent in women than men.

hyperthyroidism

A condition caused by excessive production of thyroid hormones.

hypothyroidism

Deficiency of thyroid function or activity. The most common form and is probably autoimmune in origin. It results in a shrunken, fibrotic thyroid gland with little or no function. This is much more common in women. Often used interchangeably with myxedema

ketoacidosis

A complication of diabetes mellitus, which results from grossly deficient insulin modulation of glucose and lipid metabolism. It follows the accumulation of ketone bodies within the body tissues and fluids.

obesity

An increase in body weight beyond the limitation of skeletal and physical requirements, usually because of an excessive accumulation of fat in the body.

pheochromocytoma

Generally a benign vascular tumor of the tissue of the adrenal medulla

Simmonds disease

A deficiency of all hormones which are produced by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. Also called panhypopituitarism.

thyrotoxicosis

A condition caused by excess quantities of thyroid hormones being introduced into the tissues.

vitiligo

A chronic anomaly of the skin, usually progressive, consisting of depigmented white patches that may be surrounded by a hyperpigmented border.