| Term |
Definition |
|---|
| Acromegaly | A disease caused when a tumour on the pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone. |
| Adenohypophysis | An alternative name for the anterior pituitary gland. |
| Adipose tissue | Fatty tissue, as opposed to muscle. |
| Adrenal glands | These are glands, which are situated just above the kidneys, which produce various hormones, including cortisol and adrenaline. |
| Adrenalectomy | An operation to remove the adrenal glands. |
| Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone | This hormone is produced by the pituitary gland and tells the adrenal glands to produce cortisol. |
| Amenorrhoea | Absence of menstrual periods. |
| Androgens | The group of male sex hormones, which includes testosterone. |
| Anti-diuretic Hormone | A hormone that the pituitary gland sends to your kidneys to limit the volume of urine produced. It is also known as vasopressin. |
| Apoplexy | Pituitary apoplexy is a rare condition that usually results from problems with the blood supply to, or within, a pituitary tumour. If this occurs, part or all of the tumour may be damaged through lack of oxygen (pituitary infarction) and there may be associated bleeding into the gland. |
| Benign tumour | A growth which is not cancerous. |
| Bromocriptine | A drug used to reduce the levels of both growth hormone and prolactin. |
| Carpal Tunnel Syndrome | Tingling and sometimes weakness of the hands due to compression of the nerve at the wrist. This is often worse at night. This symptom disappears once treatment has lowered your level of growth hormone. |
| Cerebrospinal fluid | The watery fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord and also circulates within the ventricles of the brain and the central canal of the cord. |
| Circadian rhythm | Also called diurnal rhythm - a regular pattern following a 24 hour cycle. The body's natural release of some hormones, including testosterone, follows such a pattern. |
| Cortisol | One of the main hormones produced by the adrenal glands. Cortisol controls a number of functions and is particularly important in times of illness and stress. |
| Craniopharyngioma | Tumour filled with a thick fluid, calcium and cysts that grow from birth against the hypothalamus and sometimes against the pituitary gland. Incidence is 1% of adult tumours and 9% of those occurring in children. Often needing drainage of the tumour, craniotomy (hairline surgery) and radiotherapy, plus appropriate hormone replacement. |
| Cushing's disease | The symptoms of Cushing's when caused by a tumour of the pituitary gland. |
| Cushing's syndrome | The symptoms of Cushing's when caused by a tumour at a location other than the pituitary gland. |
| DDAVP | This is the trade name for the desmopressin nasal drops and tablets. |
| Desmopressin | This is the generic name for medication of the type to which Desmospray and DDAVP belong. |
| Desmospray | This is the trade name for desmopressin nasal spray. |
| Diabetes Insipidus | A condition characterised by great thirst and the constant need to pass urine. |
| Endocrine system | The body-wide system of hormone-producing glands, and the hormones they make, which control many aspects of life, including growth and reproduction. |
| Endocrinologist | A doctor who specialises in treatment of diseases of the endocrine system. |
Glossary 
