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(hor′mōn″) [Gr. horman, to excite, urge on] 1. A substance originating in an organ, gland, or body part, conveyed through the blood to another body part, and chemically stimulating that part to increase or decrease functional activity or to increase or decrease secretion of another hormone. 2. The secretion of the ductless glands, e.g., insulin from the pancreas. SEE: endocrine gland. hormonal (hor-mōn′ăl), adj.
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adrenocortical h. ABBR: ACH. A hormone (such as aldosterone or cortisol) secreted by the cortex of the adrenal gland. SYN: cortical h. SEE: adrenal gland.
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adrenocorticotropic h. ABBR: ACTH. A hormone that is secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland and controls the development and functioning of the adrenal cortex, including its secretion of glucocorticoids and androgens. SYN: corticotropin.
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adrenomedullary h. Any of several hormones (such as epinephrine and norepinephrine) produced by the adrenal medulla.
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anterior pituitary h. Any of several hormones secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary, including corticotropin, follicle-stimulating hormone, gonadotropin, growth hormone, luteinizing hormone, melanocyte-stimulating hormone, prolactin, and thyrotropin.
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antidiuretic h. ABBR: ADH. A peptide hormone that plays a crucial role in limiting the amount of water excreted by the kidneys. Deficiency of ADH causes central diabetes insipidus, excess causes water retention, and hyponatremia. SYN: arginine vasopressin; vasopressin.
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ADH is produced by the hypothalamus and stored in the posterior pituitary gland; it is secreted when the osmolarity of plasma rises. Secretion of ADH increases the concentration of the urine by preventing water losses from the renal tubules. ADH also causes constriction of arterioles (raising blood pressure) and increases levels of clotting factor VIII. Synthetic ADH (vasopressin) can be administered to patients in cardiac arrest as an alternative to epinephrine.
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anti-Mullerian h. A hormone made in the gonads (in females, in the ovaries; in males, in the testes) that helps the reproductive organs develop and grow. It is a glycoprotein. Normal levels of AMH are found in fertile women; supernormal levels are found in polycystic ovarian syndrome. Low or undetectable levels of AMH are indicative of contraceptive or tobacco use, or of infertility or menopause. Also known as: Mullerianinhibiting hormone, molecular mass 140 kilo Dalton.
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atrial natriuretic hormone Atrial natriuretic factor.
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bioidentical natural h. Bioidentical synthetic h.
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bioidentical synthetic h. ABBR: BSH. A compound extracted from plants or formulated in the laboratory and used to replace or increase concentrations of hormones found in the body. The most commonly manufactured and marketed BSHs are the sex steroid hormones (estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone). SYN: bioidentical natural h.
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corpus luteum h. Progesterone.
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cortical h. Adrenocortical h.
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corticotropin-releasing h. ABBR: CRH. A hormone that is released ...