- 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