Glossary - Endocrinology[return to top] Acromegaly - excessive growth due to the production of excessive growth hormone by the pituitary gland. Adrenal cortex - the outer portion of the adrenal gland that secretes hormones that are vital to the body. Aldosterone - a hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex which affects blood pressure and saline balance. Amyloidosis - a rare disease which causes the buildup of amyloid, a protein and starch, in tissues and organs. Androgen hormone - a hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex which affects blood pressure and saline balance. [return to top] Basal metabolic rate (BMR) - a measurement of energy required to keep the body functioning at rest. Measured in calories, metabolic rates increase with exertion, stress, fear, and illness. Bromocriptine - a drug which acts on hormone-producing tumors to suppress its hormone-producing function. [return to top] Calcitonin - a hormone secreted by the thyroid gland which controls the levels of calcium and phosphorous in the blood. Computed tomography (CT or CAT scan) - a non-invasive procedure that takes cross-sectional images of the brain or other internal organs; to detect any abnormalities that may not show up on an ordinary x-ray. Corticosteroids - hormones produced by the adrenal gland, consisting of hydrocortisone (or cortisol). [return to top] [return to top] Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) - this procedure involves inserting an endoscope (viewing tube) through the stomach and into the small intestine. A special dye injected during this procedure shows the ducts in the biliary system. Estrogen - a hormone secreted by the ovaries which affects many aspects of the female body, including menstrual cycles and pregnancy. [return to top] [return to top] Glucagon - a protein hormone secreted by the pancreas to stimulate the liver to produce glucose. Gonadotropins - luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, produced by the pituitary gland. Gonads - ovaries and testes. [return to top] Hirsutism - excessive growth of body and facial hair, including the chest, stomach, and back Hormones - chemical substances created by the body that control numerous body functions. Hydrocortisone - a hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex which affects metabolism. Hypothalamus - the portion of the brain that stimulates the pituitary gland. [return to top] Insulin - a hormone released by the pancreas in response to increased levels of sugar in the blood. Intravenous - introducing a fluid into the bloodstream through a vein (usually in the patient's forearm). Islets of Langerhans - pancreas cells that produce insulin and glucagon - important regulators of sugar metabolism. Isthmus - tissue that connects the two lobes of the thyroid. [return to top] [return to top] [return to top] [return to top] Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - a non-invasive procedure that produces two-dimensional view of an internal organ or structure, especially the brain and spinal cord. Metabolism - the chemical activity that occurs in cells, releasing energy from nutrients or using energy to create other substances, such as proteins. [return to top] [return to top] Oxytocin - a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland which plays a role in childbirth. [return to top] Placenta - this organ grows in the uterus during pregnancy and connects the blood supplies of the mother and baby. Polyps - a growth that projects from the lining of mucous membrane, such as the intestine. Progesterone - a hormone secreted by the ovaries which affect many aspects of the female body, including menstrual cycles and pregnancy. Prolactin - a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland which affects growth of the mammary glands. [return to top] [return to top] Radioisotope scan - uses radioactive substances introduced into the body to create an image of the functioning adrenal gland. [return to top] Sarcoidosis - a rare inflammation of the lymph nodes and other tissues throughout the body. Sella turcica - bony structure that houses the pituitary gland. Suprarenal glands - another name for the adrenal glands. [return to top] Thyroid scan - uses a radioactive substance to create an image of the thyroid as it is functioning. Thyroxine (T4) - a hormone secreted by the thyroid gland which regulates metabolism. Triiodothyronine (T3) - a hormone secreted by the thyroid gland which regulates metabolism. [return to top] Ultrasound - a diagnostic technique which uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the internal organs. [return to top] [return to top] [return to top] X-ray - electromagnetic energy used to produce images of bones and internal organs onto film. [return to top] [return to top] |