Endocrine Med Terms

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48 terms

Adrenal glands

located next to each kidney; the cortex secretes steroid hormones and the medulla secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine; aka suprarenal glands

Steroid hormones

regulate carbohydrate metabolism and salt and water balance; some effect on sexual characteristics; include glucocorticoids, mineral corticosteroids, and androgens

Epinephrine & Norepinephrine

affect sympathetic nervous system in stress response



Estrogen & progesterone




Insulin & glucagon

regulate carbohydrate/sugar metabolism

Parathyroid glands


Parathyroid hormone (PTH)

regulates calcium and phosphorus metabolism

Pineal gland



exact function unknown; affects onset of puberty


a neurotransmitter that serves as the precursor to melatonin

Pituitary gland

located at the base of the brain, the anterior portion secretes thyroid-stimulation hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, melanocyte-stimulating hormone, growth hormone, and prolactin; the posterior portion releases antidiuretic hormone and oxytocin




affects masculinization and reproduction

Thyroid gland





glucose (sugar) in the urine


shaggy; an excessive growth of hair especially in unusual places (e.g. a woman with a beard)


an abnormally high level of calcium in the blood


low blood sugar


an abnormally high level of potassium in the blood


low level of sodium ions in the blood


abnormally increased secretion

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

presence of an abnormal amount of ketone bodies (acetone, beta-hydroxbutyric acid, and acetoacetic acid) in the blood and urine indicating an abnormal utilization of carbohydrates seen in uncontrolled diabetes




excessive thirst


excessive urination

Cushing syndrome


Type 1 diabetes mellitus

diabetes in which there is no beta cell production of insulin - the patient is dependent on insulin for survival

Type 2 diabetes mellitus

diabetes in which the body produces insulin, but not enough, or there is insulin resistance (a defective use of the insulin that is produced) - the patient usually is not dependent on insulin for survival




inflammation of the pancreas


hypersecretion of the parathyroid glands, usually caused by a tumor






condition of hypersecretion of the thyroid gland characterized by exophthalmia, tachycardia, goiter, and tumor; aka Grave's disease

Grave's disease



condition of hyposecretion of the thyroid gland causing low thyroid levels in the blood that result in sluggishness, slow pulse, and often obesity



Blood sugar (BS)

measurement of the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood; aka blood glucose

Fasting blood sugar (FBS)

measurement of blood sugar level after a fast of 12 hours

Postprandial blood sugar (PPBS)


Glucose tolerance test (GTT)

measurement of the body's ability to metabolize carbohydrates by administering a prescribed amount of glucose after a fasting period, then measuring blood and urine glucose levels every hour thereafter - usually for 4 to 6 hours


drug that raises blood sugar

Antithyroid drug

agent that blocks the production of the thyroid hormones; used to treat hyperthyroidism

Hormone replacement

drug that replaces a hormone deficiency (e.g. estrogen, testosterone, thyroid)


aka antihyperglycemic; drug that lowers blood glucose (e.g. insulin)

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