Shared Flashcard Set

Details

PT 100 Endocrine System
Definitions
74
Other
Undergraduate 2
04/27/2008

Additional Other Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
endocrine system
Definition
the system of the body that functions in homeostasis by releasing hormones from endocrine glands
Term
hormone
Definition
a chemical substance secreted by certain cells that can travel through the bloodstream to eventually trigger changes in target cells
Term
adrenal glands
Definition
a pair of glands, each located on top of a kidney, which consists of the adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla; suprarenals
Term
adrenal cortex
Definition
the outer region of the adtrenal gland, which secretes hormones that regulate fluid balace and blood pressure, reduce inflammation and stimulate the development of sex characteristics
Term
adrenal medulla
Definition

the inner part of the adrenal gland, which secretes hormones that prolong the conditions for a "fight or flight" response, including an increase in metabolism, heart rate, blood pressure, etc.

Term
parathyroid
Definition
the 4 or 5 pea-sized glands embedded within the posterior side of the larger thyroid gland, which secrete parathyroid hormone to increase calcium levels in the blood
Term
thyroid
Definition
a large, butterfly-shaped soft gland on th anterior side of the neck, which consists of a right and a left lobe connected  by a narrow band called the isthmus; it secretes 3 primary hormones that regulate the breakdown and sythesis of glucose in most cells of the body, and stimulate the production of new bone material to reduce calcium levels in the blood
Term
gonads
Definition
organs that secrete sex hormones and produce sex cells; male gonads are called testes and female gonads are called ovaries
Term
islet of Langerhans
Definition
named after the scientist who first identified them, these clus6teres of cells are distributed throughout the pancreas and are responsible for the secretion of the pancreatic hormones, insulin and glucagon
Term
metabolism
Definition
the sum of all energy-activities in the body; the term literally means a condition of change
Term

pancreas

Definition
a soft, oblong organ located behind the stomach in the abdominal cavity, which secretes hormones that regulate blood sugar levels
Term
pineal glands
Definition
a small, pea-sized gland within the center of the brain that secretes one hormone, melatonin, which regulates body rhythms
Term
pituitary gland
Definition
located at the base of the brain and connected to the hypothalamus, this master gland consists of the anterior lobe and the posterior lobe and maintains control over other glands; hypophysis 
Term
target cell
Definition
any cell of the body that is affected by a particular hormone; the effects of a hormone upon a target cell are a change in metabolism or protein synthesis
Term
thymus gland
Definition
a soft gland located anterior and above the heart, it shrinks to size after puberty and secretes the hormone thymosin, which iniates the immune response
Term
acidosis
Definition
an abnormal accumulation of waste materials that are acidic, often a symptom of diabetes mellitus
Term
exophthalmos
Definition
abnormal protrusion of the eyes
Term
goiter
Definition

an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland caused by a tumor, lack of iodine in the diet or infection

Term
hypersecretion
Definition
abnormal increase in hormone production
Term
hyposecretion
Definition
abnormal decrease in hormone production
Term
ketosis
Definition
excessive amount of ketone bodies in the blood and urine; ketoacidosis
Term
polydipsia
Definition

abnormal state of excessive thirst

 

Term
polyuria
Definition
excretion of abnormally large volumes of urine
Term
acromegaly
Definition
an enlargement of bone structure most prominent in the face and hands, resulting in disfigurement and caused by the hypersecretion of growth hormone from the pituitary gland after puberty
Term
Addison's disease
Definition
a chronic syndrome caused by  hyposecretion of the adrenal cortex, characterized by darkening of the skin, loss of appetite, mental depression and muscle weakness
Term
adenitis
Definition
inflammation of a gland
Term
adenosis
Definition

abnormal condition of a gland

 

Term
adrenal virilism
Definition
excessive production of androgen by the adrenal cortex, usually caused by adrenal; hyperplasia or a tumor in adult women
Term
adrenalitis
Definition
inflammation of the adrenal gland
Term
adrenocorticohyperplasia
Definition
abnormal development of the adrenal cortex resulting in its excessive size and hypersecretion of its hormones
Term
adrenomegaly
Definition
abnormal enlargement of the adrenal glands
Term
adrenopathy
Definition
general disease of the adrenal gland
Term
calcipenia
Definition
deficiency of calcium; hypocalcemia
Term
cretinism
Definition
congenital hypothyroidism in children, which results in reduced mental development and dwarfed physical stature
Term

Cushing's syndrome

Definition
a symdrome resulting from hyposecretion of the adrenal cortex, characterized by obesity, moon face, hyperglycemia and muscle weakness
Term

diabetes insipidus  (DI)

Definition
caused by hyposecretion of ADH by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland
Term
diabetes mellitus (DM)
Definition
a chronic disorder of carbohydrate metabolism, it includes type I, which requires HRT with insulin, and  type II, whcih can usually be managed with diet and exercise programs
Term
endocrinopathy
Definition
general disease of the endocrinre system
Term
hirsutism
Definition
the presence of excessive body hair
Term
hypercalcemia
Definition
abnormally high calcium levels in the blood
Term
hyperglycemia
Definition
abnormally high glucose levels in the blood
Term
hyperinsulinism
Definition
excessive amounts of insulin in the blood
Term
hyperkalemia
Definition
abnormally high potassium levels in the blood
Term
hyperparathyroidism
Definition
hypersecretion of the thyroid gland, usually due to a tumor
Term
hyperthyroidism
Definition
hypersecretion of the hyroid gland; Grave's disease;thyrotoxicosis
Term
hypocalcemia
Definition

abnormally low calcium levels in the blood

Term
hypoglycemia
Definition
abnormally low blood sugar levels
Term
hypokalemia
Definition
abnormally low potassium levels in the blood
Term
hyponatremia
Definition
abnormally low sodium levels in the blood
Term
hypoparathyroidism
Definition
hyposecretion of the parathyroid gland
Term
hypothyroidism
Definition
hyposecretion of the thyroid gland
Term
myxedema
Definition
advanced hypothyroidism in adults with the characteristics of low energy, swollen hands and face, dry skin
Term
pancreatitis
Definition
inflammation of the pancreas
Term
parathyroidoma
Definition
tumor of the parathyroid gland
Term
pituitary dwarfism
Definition
caused by hyposecretion of growth hormone by the pituitary gland at an early age, slowing growth and causing a short but proportional stature
Term
pituitary gigantism
Definition
caused by hypersecretion of growth hormone that begins before puberty, leading to an abnormally increased growth of bones to produce a very large stature
Term
tetany
Definition
caused by a deficiency of parathyroid hormone
Term
syndrome
Definition
a disorder with an array of symptoms and involving multiple organs
Term
adrenalectomy
Definition
excision of the adrenal gland
Term
fasting blood sugar (FBS)
Definition
a diagnostic test to determine blood sugar levels following a 12 hour fast
Term
endocrinologist
Definition

a physician specializing in the treatment of endocrine disorders

Term
endocrinology
Definition
a feild of medicine focusing on the study and treatment of endocrine disorders
Term
endocrinopathy
Definition

a disease or disorder in the function of an endocrine gland and the related consequences

Term
glucose tolerance test (GTT)
Definition
a diagnostic test to confirm diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and to determine other abnormalities in glucose metabolism, usually following an FBS
Term
postprandial blood sugar (PPBS)
Definition
a measurement of blood sugar levels after a meal. usually over 2 hours
Term
radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU)
Definition
a diagnostic procedure measuring thyroid function, in which radioactive ipodine uptake into the thyroid gland is measured
Term
thyroid scan
Definition
a diagnostic procedure that records an image of the thyroid gland following the oral administration of a labeled substance, usually iodine
Term
thyroxine test
Definition
a direct measurement of the amount of thyroxine in blood to determine hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism
Term
hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
Definition
the use of a drug that replaces a hormone to correct a hormone deficiency
Term
parathyroidectomy
Definition
excision of one or more parathyroid glands
Term
radioiodine therapy
Definition
the use of radioactive iodine to treat a disease of the thyroid gland
Term
thyroidectomy
Definition
excision of the thyroid gland
Term
thyroidotomy
Definition
incision into the thyroid gland
Term
thyroparathyroidectomy
Definition
excision of the thyroid and parathyroid glands
Supporting users have an ad free experience!