| Term | Definition |
|---|
| hypothalamus | The ventral part of the vertebrate forebrain; functions in maintaining homeostasis, especially in coordinating the endocrine and nervous systems; secretes hormones of the posterior pituitary and releasing factors, which regulate the anterior pituitary |
| pituitary gland | An endocrine gland at the base of the hypothalamus; consists of a posterior lobe (neurohypophysis), which stores and releases two hormones produced by the hypothalamus, and an anterior lobe (adenohypophysis), which produces and secretes many hormones that regulate diverse body functions. |
| adenohypophysis | Develops from the roof of an embryo's mouth; secretes hormones directly into the blood; anterior pituitary |
| Releasing hormone | a neurosecretory cell that makes the adenohypophysis secrete hormones |
| Inhibiting hormone | A neurosecretory cell that stops the secretion of the adenohypophysis |
| neurohypophysis | extension of the brain; An extension of the hypothalamus composed of nervous tissue that secretes hormones made in the hypothalamus; a temporary storage site for hypothalamic hormones. |
| oxytocin | induces contraction of the uterine muscles during childbirth and causes the mammary glands to eject milk during nursing |
| Antidiuretic hormone | A hormone that is part of an elaborate feedback scheme that helps regulate the osmolarity of the blood. |
| tropic hormone | A hormone that has another endocrine gland as a target. |
| insulinlike growth factor | circulates in blood plasma and directly stimulate bone and cartilage growth |
| Growth hormone | A protein of about 200 amino acids that affects a wide variety of target tissues and has both direct effects and tropic effects. |
| Prolactin | timulates mammary gland growth and milk synthesis in mammals; regulates fat metabolism and reproduction in birds; delays metamorphosis in amphibians, where it may also function as a larval growth hormone; and regulates salt and water balance in freshwater fishes. |
| Follicle-stimulating hormone | A protein hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary that stimulates the production of eggs by the ovaries and sperm by the testes. |
| Luteinizing hormone | A protein hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary that stimulates ovulation in females and androgen production in males. |
| Thyroid-stimulating hormone | A hormone produced by the anterior pituitary that regulates the release of thyroid hormones. |
| gonadotropin | a collective term for follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones |
| Adrenocorticotropic hormone | A peptide hormone released from the anterior pituitary, it stimulates the production and secretion of steroid hormones by the adrenal cortex. |
| melanocyte-stimulating hormone | regulates the activity of pigment-containing cells in the skin of some vertebrates |
| pineal gland | a small mass of tissue near the center of the mammalian brain |
| melatonin | modified amino acid; regulates functions related to light and to seasons marked by changes in day length |
| thyroid gland | plays a crucial role in vertebrate development and maturation; consists of two lobes located on the ventral surface of the trachea |
| triiodothyronine | contains three iodine atoms; has greater affinity for the hormone receptor, which is located in the cell nucleus |
| thyroxine | contains four iodine atoms; secreted first and is turned into triiodothyronine |
| calcitonin | lowers calcium levels in the blood as part of calcium homeostasis |
| parathyroid glands | embedded in the surface of the thyroid, function in the homeostasis of calcium ions |
| parathyroid hormone | raises blood levels of Ca2+ and thus has an effect opposite to that of the thyroid hormone calcitonin |
| vitamin D | acts in concert with PTH in bone, and it also affects the intestines, where it stimulates the uptake of Ca2+ from food; binds to receptors in the nuclei of target cells and regulates gene transcription |
| pancreas | one of many organs that perform both endocrine and exocrine functions; glucagon & insulin |
| islets of Langerhans | clusters of endocrine cells that secrete two major hormones directly into the circulatory system |
| alpha cell | secretes glucagon |
| beta cell | secretes insulin |
| adrenal gland | An endocrine gland located adjacent to the kidney in mammals; composed of two glandular portions: an outer cortex, which responds to endocrine signals in reacting to stress and effecting salt and water balance, and a central medulla, which responds to nervous inputs resulting from stress. |
| adrenal cortex | secretes corticosteroids; responds to the endocrine signals |
| adrenal medulla | The central portion of an adrenal gland, controlled by nerve signals, that secretes the fight-or-flight hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine. |
| epinephrine | adrenaline; controls heart rates and metabolic rates; causes the breakdown of glycogen |
| norepinephrineany of a group of steroi | controls blood pressure; also involved with stress |
| corticosteroid | any of a group of steroid hormones, secreted by the adrenal cortex |
| glucocorticoid | secreted by the adrenal cortex; a steroid that breaks down muscle proteins and inhibits the immune system |
| mineralocorticoid | secreted by the adrenal cortex; a steroid that regulates salt and water retension (aldosterone) |
| androgen | stimulates the development and maintenance of the male reproductive system |
| estrogen | involved in the maintenance of the female reproductive system and the development of female secondary sex characteristics |
| progestin | involved in preparing and maintaining the uterus, which supports the growth and development of an embryo |
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