Page 1374 - Saunders Comprehensive Review For NCLEX-RN

small amounts of sex hormones
(androgens, estrogens; Box 46-5)
4. Adrenal medulla
a. The medulla is the inner core of the
adrenal gland.
b. The medulla works as part of the
sympathetic nervous system and
produces epinephrine and
norepinephrine.
F. Thyroid gland
1. Located in the anterior part of the neck
2. Controls the rate of body metabolism and growth and
produces thyroxine (T ), triiodothyronine (T ), and
3
4
thyrocalcitonin
G. Parathyroid glands
1. Located on the thyroid gland
2. Controls calcium and phosphorus metabolism;
produces parathyroid hormone
H. Pancreas
1. Located posteriorly to the stomach
2. Influences carbohydrate metabolism, indirectly
influences fat and protein metabolism, and produces
insulin and glucagon
I. Ovaries and testes
1. The ovaries are located in the pelvic cavity and
produce estrogen and progesterone.
2. The testes are located in the scrotum, control the
development of the secondary sex characteristics, and
produce testosterone.
J. Negative-feedback loop
1. Regulates hormone secretion by the hypothalamus
and pituitary gland
2. Increased amounts of target gland hormones in the
bloodstream decrease secretion of the same hormone
and other hormones that stimulate its release.
II. Diagnostic Tests
A. Stimulation and suppression tests
1. Stimulation tests
a. In the client with suspected
underactivity of an endocrine gland, a
stimulus may be provided to
determine whether the gland is
capable of normal hormone
production.
b. Measured amounts of selected
hormones or substances are
administered to stimulate the target
gland to produce its hormone.

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