Key Terms

acromegaly
an abnormal growth caused by overproduction of the growth hormone by the pituitary gland
Addison’s disease
a long-term condition in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough cortisol and aldosterone
adenohypophysis
anterior pituitary gland
adrenal cortex
the outer portion of the adrenal glands that produce hormones, which support vital body functions
adrenal glands
a small gland at the top of each kidney that produces steroid hormones, adrenaline, and noradrenaline
antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
a chemical produced in the brain that causes kidneys to release less water
cortisol
the hormone produced by the two adrenal glands that plays an important role in stress response
Cushing’s syndrome
a condition in which the body overproduces the hormone cortisol
diabetes insipidus
a disease in which the secretion of or response to vasopressin is impaired, resulting in the production of large quantities of hypotonic urine
endocrine system
a messenger system of glands and organs that produce and release hormones to maintain homeostasis within the body
glucocorticoids
a group of steroids involved in carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism that has anti-inflammatory properties
homeostasis
a state of balance
hypophysis
the pituitary gland
hypothalamus
a region in the forebrain that coordinates the autonomic nervous system and pituitary gland activity
mineralocorticoids
steroids that are involved in maintaining fluid, sodium, and potassium balance within the body
neuroendocrine system
the communication system between the nervous and endocrine systems
neurohypophysis
the posterior pituitary gland
pituitary gland
a pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain that is part of the endocrine system, also known as the master gland
Prader-Willi syndrome
a genetic disorder resulting in physical, mental, and behavioral problems
renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)
a hormone system that regulates fluid and electrolyte balance, blood pressure, and systemic vascular resistance
syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH)
occurs when excessive levels of antidiuretic hormones are produced
vasopressin
a nonapeptide synthesized by the hypothalamus and stored in the posterior pituitary, also known as ADH or human vasopressin, which helps to regulate fluid volume
zona fasciculate
the middle layer of the adrenal cortex
zona glomerulosa
the outermost layer of the adrenal cortex
zona reticularis
the innermost layer of the adrenal cortex