Endocrine System Vocabulary, Chapter 18

adrenal cortex Outer section (cortex) of each adrenal gland; secretes cortisol, aldosterone and sex hormones. adrenal medulla Inner section (medulla) of each adrenal gland; secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine. ovaries Located in the lower abdomen of a female; responsible for egg production and estrogen and progesterone secretion. pancreas Located behind the stomach. parathyroid glands Four small glands on the posterior of the thyroid gland. pituitary gland (hypophysis) Located at the base of the brain in the sella turcica; composed of an anterior lobe (adenohyophysis) and a posterior lobe (neurohypophsis). testes Two glands enclosed in the scrotal sac of a male. thyroid gland Located in the neck on either side of the trachea; secretes thyroxine. adrenaline (epinephrine) Secreted by the adrenal medulla; increased heart rate and blook pressure. adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) Secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland (adenohypophysis); also called adrenocorticotropin. ACTH stimulates the adrenal cortex. aldosterone Secreted by the adrenal cortex; increase salt (sodium) reabsorption. androgen Male hormone secreted by the testes and to a lesser extent by the adrenal cortex antidiuretic hormone (ADH) Secreted by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland (neurophpopphysis) ADH (vasopressin) increases reabsorption of water by the kidney. calcitonin Secreted by the thyroid gland; decreases blood calcium levels. cortisol Secreted by te adrenal cortex; increases blood sugar. It is secreted in times of stress and has an anti-flammatory effect. epinephrine (adrenaline) Secreted by the adrenal medulla; increases heart rate and blood pressure and dilates airways (sympathomimetic). estradiol Estrogen (female hormone) secreted by the ovaries. estrogen Female hormone secreted by the ovaries and to a lesser estent by the adrenal cortex. follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) Secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland adenohypophysis). glucagon Secreted by alpha islet cells of the pancreas; increases blood sugar by conversion of glycogen (starch) to glucose. growth hormone (GH); somatotropin Secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland (adenohypophysis); stimulates growth of bones and soft tissues. insulin Secreted by beta islet cells of the pancreas. Insulin lowers blood sugar by transport and conversion of glucose to glycogen (starch) luteinizing hormone (LH) Secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland stimulates ovulation in females and testosterone secretion in males. norepinephrine Secreted by the adrenal medulla; increases heart rate and blood pressure. oxytocin (OT) Secreted by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland; stimulates contraction of the uterus during labor and childbirth. parathormone (PTH) Secreted by the parathyroid glands; increases blood calcium. progesterone Secreted by the ovaries; prepares the uterus for pregnancy. prolactin (PRL) Secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland promotes milk secretion. somatotropin (STH) Secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland; growth hormone. testosterone Male hormone secreted by the testes. thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH); thyrotropin Secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland; TSH acts on the thyroid gland to promote its functioning. Not secreted by the thyroid gland. thyroxine (T4) Secreted by the thyroid gland; also called tetraiodothyronine. T4 increases metabolism in cells. triiodothyronine (T3) Secreted by the thyroid gland; T3 increases metabolism in cells. vasopressin Secreted by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland; antidiuretic hormone (ADH) catecholamines Hormones derived from an amino acid and secreted by the adrenal medulla. Epinephrine is a catecholamine. corticosteroids Hormones (steroids) produced by the adrenal cortex. Examples are cortisol (raises sugar levels), aldosterone (raises salt reabsorption by kidneys) and androgens and estrogens (sex hormones) electrolyte Mineral salt found in the blood and tissues and necessary for proper functioning of cells; potassium, sodium, and calcium are electrolytes. glucocorticoid Steroid hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex; regulares glucose, fat, and protein metabolism. Cortisol raises blood sugar and is part of the stress response. homeostasis Tendency of an organism to maintain a constant internal environment. hormone Substance, secreted by an endocrine gland, that travels through the blood to a distant organ or gland where it influences the structure or function of that organ or gland. hypothalamus Region of the brain lying below the thalamus and above the pituitary grland. It secretes releasing factors and hormones that affect the pituitary gland. mineralocorticoid Steroid hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex to regulate meineral salts (electrolytes) and water balance in the body. Adlosterone is an example. receptor Cellular or nuclear protein that binds to a hormone so that a response can be elicited. sella turcica Cavity in the skull that contains the pituitary gland. sex hormones Steroids (androgens and estrogens) produced by the adrenal cortex to influence male and female sexual characteristics. steroid Complex substance related to fats (derived from a sterol, such as cholesterol), and of which many hormones are made. Examples are estrogens, androgens, glucocorticoids, and mineralocorticoids. sympathomimetic Pertaining to mimicking or copying the effect of the sympathetic nervous system. Adrenaline is a sympathomimetic hormone (it raises blood pressure and heart rate and dilates airways). target tissue Cells of an organ that are affected or stimulated by specific hormones.