Acromegaly

A disorder that results in the growth of bones in the face, hands, and feet in response to excessive levels of growth hormone in individuals who have stopped growing.

Adenosis

A disease or abnormal change in a gland.

Adrenalectomy

Excision of one or both adrenal glands.

Autocrine

A chemical that elicits a response in the same cell that secreted it.

Endocrine gland

A ductless gland that releases secretions directly into surrounding tissues and fluids.

Endocrine system

Cells, tissues, and organs that secrete hormones as a primary or secondary function and play an integral role in normal bodily processes.

Endocrinologist

A doctor who has special training in diagnosing and treating disorders of the endocrine system.

Endocrinology

A specialty in the field of medicine that focuses on the treatment of endocrine system disorders.

Epinephrine

A hormone that causes the breakdown of glycogen into glucose; also known as adrenaline.

Exocrine system

Cells, tissues, and organs that secrete substances directly to target tissues via glandular ducts.

Glycemia

Sugar in the blood.

Histamine

A vasodilator involved in the inflammatory response.

Hormone

Secretion of an endocrine organ that travels via the bloodstream or lymphatics to induce a response in target cells or tissues in another part of the body.

Hypercalcemia

Excessive calcium in the blood.

Hyperglycemia

Abnormally high blood glucose levels.

Hyperkalemia

Higher-than-normal blood potassium levels.

Hyperthyroidism

The disease state caused by excessive production of hormones by the thyroid.

Hypocalcemia

Abnormally low blood levels of calcium.

Hypoglycemia

Low blood glucose levels.

Hypokalemia

Abnormally decreased blood levels of potassium.

Hyponatremia

Lower-than-normal levels of sodium in the blood.

Hypopituitarism

State of deficient pituitary gland activity.

Hypothyroidism

The disease state caused by insufficient production of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that are made by nerve cells and used to communicate with other cells, including other nerve cells and muscle cells.

Norepinephrine

A chemical in the body that can act as a neurotransmitter and a hormone. It is released from the adrenal gland in response to stress and low blood pressure and is also known as noradrenaline.

Panhypopituitarism

A rare condition in which the pituitary gland stops making most or all hormones.

Paracrine

Cellular signaling in which a factor secreted by a cell affects other cells in the local environment.

Parathyroidectomy

Surgery to remove one or more parathyroid glands.

Permeability

Property of membranes and other structures to permit passage of light, heat, gases, liquids, metabolites, and mineral ions.

Polydipsia

Condition of excessive thirst.

Proliferation

The multiplication or increase in number.

Syndrome

A set of symptoms or conditions that occur together and suggest the presence of a certain disease or an increased chance of developing the disease.

Synthesis

A chemical reaction that results in the synthesis (joining) of components that were formerly separate.

Thyroidectomy

Excision of all or part of the thyroid gland.

Thyroiditis

Inflammation of the thyroid gland.