Medical Terminology:
Language for Healthcare
Nina Thierer
Lisa Breitbard
2nd edition
Chapter 15
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Copyright The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.
The Endocrine System
Pineal gland
Parathyroid
gland
Hypothalamus
Pituitary gland
Thyroid gland
Thymus
Adrenal gland
Pancreas
Ovary
Objectives
After studying this chapter, you will be able to:
Name the parts of the endocrine system and
discuss the function of each part.
Define the combining forms used in building
words that relate to the endocrine system.
Identify the meaning of related abbreviations.
Name the common diagnoses, clinical
procedures, and laboratory tests used in treating
disorders of the endocrine system.
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Objectives Part 2
List and define the major pathological conditions
of the endocrine system.
Define surgical terms related to the endocrine
system.
Recognize common pharmacological agents used
in treating disorders of the endocrine system.
Structure
and
Function
The Endocrine System
Regulates many bodily functions
Maintains homeostasis by regulating the
production of chemicals that affect most functions
of the body
Secretes substances that aid the nervous system
Important regulator of growth and development
Endocrine glands are ductless glands, unlike
exocrine glands that secrete substances into
ducts.
Glands
The Endocrine System
Consists of:
glands
secrete
into
hormones
bloodstream
to
target tissues
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Hypo/Hyper
hypo
hyper
Homeostasis exists when there is a balance of
substances. Endocrine conditions are due to either
hypo (too little) or hyper (too much) secretions of
substances (hormones).
Hypothalamus
Hypothalamus
Part of the nervous system. Also serves as an
endocrine gland because it releases hormones that
regulate pituitary hormones
Hormones released have either a releasing or an
inhibiting factor
Pineal Gland
Pituitary Gland
Located superior and
posterior to the
pituitary gland
Releases melatonin, a
hormone believed to
affect sleep and gonad
functioning
Located at the base of
the brain in an area
called the sella turcica
Is the bodys master
gland
Consists of an anterior
and posterior lobe
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Anterior pituitary or
adenohypophysis hormoones
GH : stimulates growth
and cell reproduction.
TSH: stimulates iodine
absorption by thyroid
gland.
FSH: Females
stimulates maturation of
ovarian follicles,
Males- stimulates
spermatogenesis .
L H: stimulates ovulation.
Prolactin: stimulates milk
Synthesis and release from
mammary glands.
MSH: stimulates melanin
synthesis and release
from skin /hair
melanocytes.
ACTH:Stimulates
androgensynthesis and r
elease from
adrenocortical cells 9
Posterior pituitary or neuro
hypophysis
OXYTOCIN: uterine contractions and
lactation.
VASOPRESSIN OR ADH: Increases water
permeability in the distal convoluted tubule
and collecting duct of nephrons,thus
promoting water reabsorption and
increasing blood volume.
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Thyroid Gland
Thyroid Gland
Consists of a right and left lobe, located on either
side of the trachea
The isthmus connects the two lobes together
Secretions control metabolism and blood calcium
concentrations
Hormones Secreted
Thyroxin (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3)
Functions to regulate the metabolism of
carbohydrates, lipids and proteins
Calcitonin
Functions to help lower blood calcium levels
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Thymus Gland
Thymus Gland
Parathyroid Gland
Four oval shaped
glands located on the
dorsal side of the
thyroid
Regulates calcium
and phosphate levels
Also part of the
immune system
The hormones
secreted stimulate the
production of T and B
cells
Adrenal Glands
A pair of glands, each one situated on top of a
kidney
Each gland has an outer portion (adrenal cortex)
and inner portion (adrenal medulla)
Regulates electrolytes
Adrenal medulla secretes catecholamines
(epinephrine and norepinephrine) in response to
stress
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Pancreas
Pancreas
Helps maintain proper blood
glucose levels
Is both an endocrine and exocrine
gland. The islets of Langerhans
serve its endocrine functions
Two types of cells, alpha and
beta are produced by the islets of
Langerhans
Elevated
Blood sugar
Insulin is released
by the beta cells
which stimulate the
glucose to be sent to
the bodys cells and
convert unused
glucose to glycogen
Blood sugar
Low
Glucagon is
released by the
alpha cells which
stimulate stored
glycogen to be
transformed into
glucose again
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Ovaries
Ovaries and Testes
Located in the female
pelvic region one
attached to the top of
each fallopian tube
Produce the female
hormones:
-estrogen: primary
functionofestrogensis
development of female
secondary sexual
characteristics.
-progesterone:
Progesteroneis
essential to achieving
and maintaining a
[Link]
Testes
Located in the scrotum,
a sac outside the body
Produce spermatozoa
which fertilizes the
female ova
Produce male sex
hormones:
-testosterone: All of
themalereproductive
organs (It helps to
developmalecharacteri
stics, such as body hair
and muscle growth.)
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Kidneys:
Kidney secretes endocrine hormones such
As erythropoietin and renin Stimulates
erythrocyte production.
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Combining
Forms
&
Combining Form
Meaning
Abbreviations
(aden)
gland
aden(o)
adren(o)
adrenal glands
gluc(o)
glucose
glyc(o)
glycogen
gonad(o)
sex glands
pancreat(o)
pancreas
parathyroid(o)
parathyroid
thyr(o)
thyroid gland
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CombiningMeaning
Forms &
Abbreviations
(ACTH)
adrenocorticotropic
hormone
Abbreviation
ACTH
ADH
antidiuretic hormone
CRH
corticotropin-releasing hormone
DM
diabetes mellitus
FSH
follicle-stimulating hormone
GH
growth hormone
GTT
glucose tolerance test
HCG
human chorionic gonadotropin
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CombiningMeaning
Forms &
Abbreviation
Abbreviations
(IDDM)
IDDM
insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
LH
luteinizing hormone
MSH
melanocyte-stimulating hormone
NIDDM
noninsulin dependent diabetes
mellitus
PRL
prolactin
PTH
parathyroid hormone, parathormone
STH
somatotropin hormone
TSH
thyroid-stimulating hormone
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Blood Tests
Blood Tests
Fasting blood sugar
Glucose tolerance test
Thyroid function test
Other tests
Radioactive iodine uptake
Thyroid scan
Radioactive immunoassay
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Pituitary Abnormalities
Most endocrine conditions are the result of
hypersecretion or hyposecretion of one or more
hormones.
acromegaly
Hypersecretion
of the growth
hormone which
may result in
gigantism
diabetes insipidus
Hyposecretion of the
antidiuretic (ADH)
hormone which causes
polyuria and polydipsia
dwarfism
Pituitary
Abnormalities
Hyposecretion of
the growth
hormone which
causes stunted
growth
syndrome of inappropriate ADH
Hypersecretion of the
antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
which causes excessive
water to be retained
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Thyroid
Thyroid Conditions
Conditions
Hyperthyroidism
Hypothyroidism
Also known as
Graves disease or
thyrotoxicosis
Overactive thyroid
secretions may
cause exophthalmos
(bulging of the eyes)
A goiter may also
form due to
oversecretion of
thyroid gland
Underactive thyroid
secretion
Signs include slow
pulse, sluggishness, and
often obesity
Types of hypothyroidism
include:
-myxedema
-congenital
hypothyroidism
Both can be treated with
synthetic hormones
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Parathyroid
Conditions
Parathyroid Conditions
The parathyroid glands help control calcium levels
which contribute to bone growth and muscular health.
Hyperparathyroidism
Hypoparathyroidism
Over activity of the
parathyroid glands
Under activity of the
parathyroid glands causing
low blood calcium levels
Usually caused by a tumor
Symptoms may include the
following:
-bone loss
-kidney failure
Common symptoms include
the following:
-bone loss
-tetany (muscle paralysis)
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Adrenal
Conditions
Adrenal Conditions
Hyperadrenalism
Hypoadrenalism
Overactive adrenal
gland secretion
Under secretion of the
adrenal gland
May be caused by a
tumor
Also known as Addisons
disease
Adrenogenital
syndrome results in
symptoms of excessive
androgens affecting
both men and women
Symptoms may include:
Symptoms may include
hirsuitism, and virilism
- anemia
- abnormal skin pigment
- general malaise
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Pathology
Hirsutism: abnormal growth of hair on a woman's face
and body.
Virilism: the condition which results from virilization the
development or possession of male secondary sex
characters in a female
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Pancreatic
Pancreatic Conditions
Conditions
Im so tired
and hungry
Pancreatitis
Inflammation of the
pancreas
Hypoglycemia
Low glucose levels in the blood ,Caused by hyper
secretion of insulin.
Blood sugar levels below normal deprive the body cells
of needed glucose
Can be controlled with dietary changes
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Diabetes
Diabetes Mellitus
Mellitus
Can be due to hyposecretion of insulin
Affects about 4% of the U. S. population
Type I
Insulin-dependent
diabetes
Occurs in childhood
Results from
underproduction of
insulin
Controlled with
doses of insulin
Type II
Noninsulin-dependent diabetes
Usually results in overweight
people
Several physical complications
such as:
-infection
-diabetic nephropathy
-diabetic neuropathy
-diabetic retinopathy
- diabetic gangrene
- diabetic ulcers
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Controlled with exercise and diet
Surgical Terms
Certain endocrine
glands that
become diseased
can be removed
Common Procedures
adenectomy
adrenalectomy
hypophysectomy
pancreatectomy
parathyroidectomy
thymectomy
thyroidectomy
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Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Used to treat hormonal deficiencies
Examples include synthetic
-thyroid
-estrogen
-testosterone
Antihypoglycemic
Prevents or relieves
severe hypoglycemia
Example
-dextrose
insulin
Antihyperglycemic
Lowers the blood sugar
Example
-insulin
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Radioactive Iodine
Radioactive iodine
Used to treat thyroid tumors
Human growth hormone
Increases height in cases of abnormal lack of
growth
Example
-somatotropin
Steroid
Increases
growth
Example
-prednisone
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Apply Your Knowledge
1.
Identify the following
labeled endocrine
organs
1. pineal gland
2. parathyroid gland
2.
3.
Hypothalamus
Pituitary
gland
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
3. hypothalamus
4. pituitary gland
5. thymus
6. adrenal gland
7. pancreas
8. ovary
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Apply Your Knowledge Part 2
Which of the following endocrine glands is located
in the sella turcica?
A. Pineal
B. Pituitary
C. Adrenal
Answer: B. Pituitary
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Apply Your Knowledge Part 3
A lack of which of the following nutrients in the
bloodstream will adversely affect the bodys
metabolism?
A. carbohydrates
B. sodium
C. iodine
Answer: C. iodine
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Apply Your Knowledge Part 4
Carrie, age 5 has been diagnosed with diabetes
mellitus. Which type of diabetes would she more
than likely have?
A. insulin-dependent
B. noninsulin-dependent
C. Type II
Answer: A. insulin-dependent
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