Word parts
What it means
A body system that sends chemical messages (hormones) through the bloodstream. Its glands include the hypothalamushy-poh-THAL-uh-musA small area at the base of the brain that controls body temperature, hunger, thirst, sleep and many hormones.hypo- belowthalamus inner chamber (a part of the brain)Full entry and pituitary glandpih-TOO-ih-tair-ee glandA gland the size of a pea, hanging below the brain, whose hormones control many other glands.Full entry in the brain, the thyroid and parathyroid glandpair-uh-THY-royd glandOne of four small glands behind the thyroid that control the amount of calcium in the blood.para- besidethyr/o thyroid gland-oid likeFull entry in the neck, the adrenal glands, the pancreasPAN-kree-usA long, flat gland behind the stomach that makes digestive enzymes and the hormones insulin and glucagon.pan- allcreas fleshFull entry , and the ovaries or testes. Hormones control growth, metabolism, blood sugar, fluid balance, stress response and reproduction.
At a glance
| Spanish | sistema endocrino |
|---|---|
| Also written | endocrine systems |
Related terms
hypothalamus
A small area at the base of the brain that controls body temperature, hunger, thirst, sleep and many hormones.
pancreas
A long, flat gland behind the stomach that makes digestive enzymes and the hormones insulin and glucagon.
pituitary gland
A gland the size of a pea, hanging below the brain, whose hormones control many other glands.
parathyroid gland
One of four small glands behind the thyroid that control the amount of calcium in the blood.
aldosterone
A hormone from the adrenal glands that makes the kidneys keep sodium and water and get rid of potassium.