Endocrine System

Endocrine System
Florida State College of Jacksonville – FSCJ
Professor: Michael L. Whitchurch, MHS
HSC 1531 Medical Terminology for Health Professionals

The endocrine system consists of glands that perform
very different functions. They are related to each
other because they all secrete hormones into the
blood.

Organs and glands of the endocrine system secrete
hormones to regulate various body functions

(EN-doh-kin-AWL-oh-jee)

Endocrine System at a Glance

 Endocrineglands secrete hormones
 Hormones regulate body activities
 Metabolic rate
 Water and mineral balance

 Immune system reactions

 Sexual functioning

HSC 1531 Medical Terminology for Healthcare Professionals
Florida State College Jacksonville
Professor: Michael L. Whitchurch, MHS, OT/L

Endocrine System at a Glance
 Organs of the Endocrine System
 Adrenal glands
 Ovaries
 Pancreas (islets of Langerhans)
 Thyroid & Parathyroid glands
 Pineal gland
 Pituitary gland
 Testes
 Thymus gland
 Thyroid gland


HSC 1531 Medical Terminology for by Pearson Professionals
Copyright ©2009 Healthcare Education, Inc.
Medical Terminology: A Living Language, Fourth Edition Upper Saddle River, New Jacksonville
Florida State College Jersey 07458
Bonnie F. Fremgen and Suzanne S. Frucht Professor: Michael L. Whitchurch, MHS, OT/L
All rights reserved.

endocrine system


Endocrine System Combining Forms

 acr/o  calc/o
 extremities  calcium
 adren/o  crin/o
 adrenal glands  secrete
 adrenal/o  estr/o
 adrenal glands  female
 andr/o
 male



 glyc/o  kal/i
 sugar  potassium
 glycos/o  natr/o
 sugar  sodium
 gonad/o  ophthalm/o
 sex glands  eye
 home/o
 sameness



 pancreat/o  thym/o
 pancreas  thymus
 parathyroid/o  thyr/o
 parathyroid gland  thyroid gland
 pineal/o  thyroid/o
 pineal gland  thyroid gland
 pituitar/o  toxic/o
 pituitary gland  poison


Endocrine System Suffixes
 –crine
 to secrete
 –dipsia
 thirst
 –prandial
 relating to a meal
 –tropin
 stimulate


Anatomy and Physiology

 Collectionof glands
 Secrete hormones directly into bloodstream
 Chemicals that act on target organs
 Increase or decrease target’s activity level

 Instrumental in maintaining homeostasis
 Maintain stable internal environment


Endocrine System
home/o = same
-stasis = condition of standing still; staying in one place

Types of Glands
 Two types of glands in body
 Exocrine glands and Endocrine glands

 Exocrine glands
 Release secretions into duct that carries them to
outside of body
 Example: sweat glands

 Endocrine glands
 Release hormones directly into bloodstream
 Have no ducts, referred to as ductless glands

 Example: thyroid gland


Glands of the Endocrine System
 Adrenal glands – two
 Parathyroid glands – four
 Pancreas
 Pineal gland
 Pituitary gland
 Ovaries – two in females
 Testes – two in males
 Thymus gland
 Thyroid gland


Endocrine System


Adrenal Glands

 Two glands, one located above each kidney
 Each gland is composed of two sections:
 Adrenal cortex

 Adrenal medulla


The adrenal glands


adrenal gland
cortex and medulla

Adrenal Cortex
 Mineralocorticoid
 Example: aldosterone
 Regulates sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) levels

 Glucocorticoid
 Example: cortisol
 Regulates carbohydrates

 Steroid sex hormones
 Androgens, estrogen, and progesterone
 Regulate secondary sexual characteristics


Adrenal Medulla

 Inner portion
 Secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine
 Epinephrine is also called adrenaline

 Critical during emergency situations
 Increases blood pressure
 Increases heart rate

 Increases respiration rate


Ovaries
 Two ovaries located in pelvic cavity of
females
 Secrete female sex hormones, estrogen and
progesterone
 Estrogen is responsible for:
 Female sexual characteristics
 Regulation of menstrual cycle

 Progesterone
 Maintains suitable uterine environment for
pregnancy


The ovaries


Testes

 Two oval glands located
in scrotum
 Secrete male sex
hormone, testosterone
 Testosterone
 Produces male secondary
sexual characteristics
 Regulates sperm
production


The testes.
The testes.

Pancreas

 Locatedalong lower
curvature of stomach

 Onlyorgan that has
both endocrine and
exocrine functions
s
c rea
Pan


Pancreas

 Exocrine portion
 Releases digestive enzymes
through duct into duodenum
 Endocrine sections of the
pancreas
 Islets of Langerhans
 Produce insulin and glucagon


Pancreas

 Insulin
 Produced by beta cells
 Stimulates cells of body to take in glucose from
bloodstream
 Lowers blood sugar level

 Occurs after eating a meal and absorbing
carbohydrates


Pancreas

 Glucagon
 Produced by alpha cells
 Stimulates liver to release stored glucose into
bloodstream
 Raises blood sugar levels

 Occurs when body needs more glucose


The pancreas


Diabetes Video


Thyroid Gland

 Located on either
side of trachea
 Resembles a
butterfly in shape
 Divided into right
and left lobes


Thyroid Gland

 Thyroidhormones
 Thyroxine (T4)

 Triiodothyronine (T3)
 Needs iodine to make hormones
 These hormones:
 Regulate energy production

 Adjust metabolic rate


Thyroid Gland

 Also secretes calcitonin
 Regulates level of calcium in bloodstream
 If calcium levels in blood rise too high:
 Calcitonin levels in blood increase
 Increases deposition of calcium into bone

 Lowers levels of calcium in bloodstream

 Its action is opposite of parathyroid hormone

homeostasis


The thyroid gland is divided into a left and right lobe
The thyroid gland is divided into a left and right lobe

Parathyroid Glands

 Four tiny glands
 Located on dorsal surface
of thyroid gland


Parathyroid Glands

 Secretes parathyroid hormone (PTH)
 Regulates level of calcium in bloodstream

 Ifcalcium levels in blood fall too low:
 Parathyroid hormone levels in the blood
increase
 Stimulate bone breakdown

 Releasing more calcium into bloodstream


The parathyroid glands.


Endocrine Glands of the Brain

nd d
gla lan
al y g
ine itar
P u
Pit


Pineal Gland

 Small pine cone-shaped gland
 Part of thalamus region of brain


Pineal Gland

 Secretes melatonin
 Not well understood, but
plays a role in regulating
body’s circadian rhythm
 24-hour clock that governs
periods of wakefulness and
sleepiness


The pineal gland is a part of the thalamus region of the brain.


Pituitary Gland

 Small marble-shaped gland

 Located underneath brain

 Divided into anterior and posterior lobes

 Regulated by hypothalamus


Pituitary gland
The anterior pituitary gland
produces and secretes
seven different hormones.

The posterior pituitary
gland stores and secretes
two hormones that are
actually produced by the
hypothalamus.

Endocrine System | Medical Terminology for Health Professionals

Pituitary gland


The pituitary gland lies just underneath the brain.
The pituitary gland lies just underneath the brain.
It is subdivided into anterior and posterior lobes.
It is subdivided into anterior and posterior lobes.


Anterior Pituitary

 Referred to as “master gland”
 Secretes hormones that regulate other
endocrine glands
 Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
 Regulates function of thyroid gland
 Adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH)
 Regulates function of adrenal cortex


Anterior Pituitary

 Gonadotropins
 Follicle-stimulating
hormone (FSH)
 Luteinizing hormone (LH)

 FSH
 Responsible for development of ova and sperm
 Also stimulates ovary to secrete estrogen

 LH
 Stimulates secretion of sex hormones
 Plays a role in releasing ova in females


Anterior Pituitary

 Growth hormone (GH)
 Also called somatotropin
 Stimulates cells to grow and divide

 Prolactin (PRL)
 Stimulates milk production in breast
 Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)
 Stimulates melanocytes to produce more melanin


The different hormones and target tissues for the anterior pituitary.
The different hormones and target tissues for the anterior pituitary.

Posterior Pituitary

 Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
 Also called vasopressin

 Promotes water re-absorption by the kidney tubules
 Oxytocin (OXT)
 Stimulates uterine contractions during labor and
delivery
 After birth stimulates release of milk from breast


Thymus Gland

 Located in mediastinum
 Part of immune system
 Also endocrine gland
 Secretes thymosin


Thymus Gland

 Thymosin
 Essential for growth and development of thymic
lymphocytes or T cells
 Critical part of body’s immune system

 Present at birth and grows to largest size
during puberty
 At puberty begins to shrink and eventually is
replaced with connective and adipose tissue


The thymus gland.
The thymus gland.


Effects of Hormones
Hormones from the various
endocrine glands affect
body metabolism, blood
glucose, blood calcium,
and blood sodium in
complementary or
opposite ways.

Homeostasis

home/o = same
-stasis = condition of standing still; staying in one place

Endocrine System Exercise

Click here to review the endocrine system glands in a labeling activity.


Word Building with adren/o & adrenal/o

pertaining to adrenal
–al adrenal
gland
–megaly adrenomegaly enlarged adrenal gland
–pathy adrenopathy adrenal gland disease

–ectomy adrenalectomy removal of adrenal gland
inflammation of adrenal
–itis adrenalitis
gland


A medical term meaning the surgical
removal of the adrenal gland is:
a) adrenalectomy
b) hypopituitarism
c) adrenomegaly
d) endocrinologist
e) hyperparathyroidism


Word Building with calc/o & crin/o

excessive calcium in
hyper– –emia hypercalcemia
blood
hypo– –emia hypocalcemia low calcium in blood

specialist in endocrine
endo– –ologist endocrinologist
system
endocrine system
endo– –pathy endocrinopathy
disease


Word Building with glyc/o, kal/i, & natr/o

excessive sugar in
hyper– –emia hyperglycemia
blood
hypo– –emia hypoglycemia low sugar in blood
excessive potassium in
hyper– –emia hyperkalemia
blood

hypo– –emia hyponatremia low sodium in blood


Word Building with parathyroid/o &
pancreat/o
pertaining to
–al parathyroidal
parathyroid
–ectomy parathyroidectomy removal of parathyroid
hyper– state of excessive
hyperparathyroidism
–ism parathyroid
hypo– state of insufficient
hypoparathyroidism
–ism parathyroid

–ic pancreatic pertaining to pancreas


Word Building with pituitar/o & thym/o

–ary pituitary pertaining to pituitary
hypo– –ism hypopituitarism state of low pituitary
state of excessive
hyper– –ism hyperpituitarism
pituitary

–ic thymic pertaining to thymus
–ectomy thymectomy removal of thymus
–itis thymitis inflammation of thymus
–oma thymoma thymus tumor


Word Building with thyr/o & thyroid/o

–megaly thyromegaly enlarged thyroid

–al thyroidal pertaining to thyroid
–ectomy thyroidectomy removal of thyroid
state of excessive
hyper– –ism hyperthyroidism
thyroid
hypo– –ism hypothyroidism state of low thyroid


Endocrine System Vocabulary

acidosis excessive acidity of body fluids
edema excessive fluid in body tissues
diagnosis and treatment of conditions of
endocrinology
endocrine glands
exophthalmos protruding eyeballs
gynecomastia development of breast tissue in males
hirsutism excessive amount of hair


exophthalmos
Exophthalmos is a well-
known sign of
hyperthyroidism. Edema
behind the eyeballs
causes them to bulge and
protrude forward, and the
large amount of white
sclerae makes the eyes
appear to be staring.

Custom Medical Stock
Photo, Inc.


A photograph of a woman with exophthalmos. This condition is
associated with hypersecretion of the thyroid gland.
(Custom Medical Stock Photo, Inc.)

Endocrine System Vocabulary

excessive hormone production by
hypersecretion
endocrine gland
insufficient hormone production by
hyposecretion
endocrine gland
obesity having abnormal amount of fat
group of symptoms and signs that
syndrome combine to present a clinical picture of
disease or condition


Adrenal Gland Pathology

 Two glands, one located above each kidney
 Each gland is composed of two sections:
 Adrenal cortex

 Adrenal medulla



hyposecretion of adrenal cortex;
Addison’s
symptoms include generalized weakness
disease
and weight loss
hypersecretion of estrogen by adrenal
adrenal cortex in males; develops female
feminization secondary sexual characteristics like
gynecomastia
hypersecretion of testosterone by adrenal
adrenal
cortex in females; develops male
virilism
secondary sexual characteristics



hypersecretion of adrenal cortex;
symptoms include weakness,
Cushing’s syndrome
edema, excess hair growth, and
osteoporosis
hypersecretion of epinephrine by
adrenal medulla tumor; usually
pheochromocytoma benign; symptoms include anxiety,
heart palpitations, dyspnea, and
headache


(Biophoto Associates/ Science Source/Photo Researchers, Inc.)
(Biophoto Associates/ Science Source/Photo Researchers, Inc.)

(a) This patient shows the
characteristic signs of
Cushing’s syndrome.
Deposits of fat in the cheeks
give a moon face
appearance. Breakdown of
protein in the connective
tissues of the skin makes the
skin thin, allowing blood
vessels to show through and
give the cheeks a reddened
appearance.

Biophoto
Associates/Science
Source/Photo Researchers,
Inc.


(b) The abdomen is obese,
while the extremities are
thin and there is muscle
wasting and weakness.
Dark facial hair and
amenorrhea occur only
with Cushing’s disease.

Biophoto
Associates/Science
Source/Photo Researchers,
Inc.


Pancreas Pathology

 Chronic disorder of carbohydrate
metabolism
 Results in hyperglycemia and
diabetes mellitus glycosuria
(DM)  Two very distinct types:
- insulin-dependent
- non-insulin-dependent


Pancreatic Pathologies


Diabetes Mellitus

Insulin-dependent Non-insulin-
diabetes mellitus dependent diabetes
(IDDM) mellitus (NIDDM)
 Also called Type 1  Also called Type 2
 Develops early in life  Develops later in life
 Destruction of islet cells
 Person makes enough
 Person makes too little insulin, but it has lost ability
insulin to regulate cells
 Must take insulin injections  Do not take insulin
 Treated by diet, exercise, and
oral medications


Pancreas Pathology

diabetic accumulation of damage to retina;
retinopathy complication of diabetes mellitus
acidosis due to excess of acidic ketone
ketoacidosis bodies; serious complication of diabetes
mellitus
peripheral damage to nerves in lower legs and
neuropathy hands as a result of diabetes mellitus
islet of Langerhans tumor; secretes
insulinoma
excessive amount of insulin


Parathyroid Gland Pathology

nerve irritability and painful
muscle cramps due to
tetany
hypocalcemia; may be caused by
hypoparathyroidism
hypersecretion of parathyroid
Recklinghausen
hormone; causes degeneration of
disease
bones


Pituitary Gland Pathology

chronic hypersecretion of growth
acromegaly hormone in adults; causes enlargement
of bones of head and extremities
hyposecretion of antidiuretic hormone;
diabetes
symptoms include polyuria and
insipidus (DI)
polydipsia
hyposecretion of growth hormone in
dwarfism
children; causes short stature


acromegaly
Increased levels of growth
hormone (GH) in
adulthood cause the face
and extremities to widen
rather than grow longer.
The foot on the left is
normal. The foot on the
right shows acromegaly
with enlargement and
widening.

NMSB/Custom Medical
Stock Photo, Inc.


Acromegaly. The hand on the right is from a normal person, the
Acromegaly. The hand on the right is from a normal person, the
hand on the left is a person with acromegaly.
hand on the left is a person with acromegaly.
(Bart's Medical Library/Phototake NYC)
(Bart's Medical Library/PhototakeMedical Terminology for Healthcare Professionals
NYC)
HSC 1531

Pituitary Gland Pathology

hypersecretion of growth hormone
gigantism
in child; results in very tall adult
hyposecretion of all pituitary
hormones; results in problems with
panhypopituitarism
the glands controlled by pituitary
gland


gigantism
The tallest man who ever lived
suffered from gigantism. His
name was Robert Wadlow. He
was born in 1918 in Illinois and
was of average weight and
length at birth. By the time he
was 18 years old, he was 8’11”
and weighed 491 pounds. He
wore size 37AA shoes that were
over 18” in length. He died in
1940, at the age of 22. The
tallest living man now is Bao
Xishun, a herdsman in Mongolia,
China. He was born in 1951 and
is 7’9”.

CORBIS-NY


panhypopituitarism
panhypopituitarism


Thyroid Gland Pathology

congenital hyposecretion of thyroid;
cretinism results in poor physical and mental
development
goiter enlarged thyroid gland
hypersecretion of thyroid; symptoms
Graves’ disease
include exophthalmos and goiter


goiter
A goiter can be a mild,
subtle swelling in the neck,
or it can enlarge enough
to cause difficulty
swallowing and breathing.

Marka/Custom Medical
Stock Photo, Inc.


Palpation of thyroid gland
The anterior location of
the thyroid gland means
that even mild
enlargement can be
detected. This physician is
palpating the edges of the
patient’s thyroid gland to
determine its size.

Pearson Education/PH
College


Goiter

Thyroid Gland Pathology

Hashimoto’s autoimmune destruction of thyroid;
disease results in hyposecretion disorder
hyposecretion disorder in adult;
myxedema symptoms include anemia, edema,
and mental lethargy
marked hypersecretion; symptoms
thyrotoxicosis include rapid heart rate, tremors,
thyromegaly, and weight loss


Endocrine Gland Pathology

cancerous tumor in gland that
produces hormones secreted by that
adenocarcinoma
gland; results in hypersecretion
pathologies


Clinical Laboratory Tests

measures level of substances, such
blood serum test as calcium, glucose, or hormones,
in blood
measures calcium in blood; used to
total calcium diagnose parathyroid or bone
disorders
radioimmunoassay measures levels of hormones in
(RIA) blood



fasting blood measures glucose in bloodstream after
sugar (FSB) 12-hour fast
glucose measures blood sugar level over
tolerance test several hours after person drinks large
(GTT) dose of glucose
two-hour
postprandial measures blood glucose level two
glucose hours after a meal
tolerance test



protein measures T4 blood level; iodine in the
bound iodine hormone becomes bound to blood
test (PBI) proteins
thyroid measures levels of T3, T4, and TSH in
function test
(TFT) blood


Diagnostic Imaging

thyroid
ultrasound image of thyroid gland
echogram
nuclear medicine image based on
thyroid scan accumulation of radioactive iodine in
thyroid gland


Medical Treatments

large dose of radioactive iodine is given
chemical
to kill a portion of the thyroid gland;
thyroidectomy
avoids surgery
hormone
administering replacement hormones;
replacement
treats hyposecretion disorders
therapy


Surgical Treatments

removal of adrenal gland through
laparoscopic
small abdominal laparoscopic
adrenalectomy
incision
lobectomy removal of a lobe of thyroid gland


Endocrine System Pharmacology

antithyroid blocks production of
Tapazole
agents thyroid hormones
replaces adrenal cortex
corticosteroids Deltasone
hormones
human growth
replaces growth Genotropin,
hormone
hormone Protropin
therapy


Endocrine System Pharmacology

treats type 1 diabetes
insulin Humulin L
mellitus
oral
decreases blood sugar Glucophage,
hypoglycemic
in type 2 diabetics Glucotrol
agents
thyroid
replaces thyroid Levo-T,
replacement
hormones Cytomel
hormone
Desmopressin,
vasopressin treats diabetes insipidus
Vaprisol


Endocrine System Abbreviations

α alpha
ACTH adrenocorticotropic hormone
ADH antidiuretic hormone
β beta
BMR basal metabolic rate
DI diabetes insipidus
DM diabetes mellitus



FBS fasting blood sugar
FSH follicle-stimulating hormone
GH growth hormone
GTT glucose tolerance test
IDDM insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
K+ potassium
LH luteinizing hormone



MSH melanocyte-stimulating hormone
Na+ sodium
NIDDM non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
NPH neutral protamine Hagedorn (insulin)
PBI protein-bound iodine
PRL prolactin
PTH parathyroid hormone


Endocrine System

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