Glossary

Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

  • Intestinal hormone

    Any of several hormones produced by the mucosa of the intestine. These include cholecystokinin, motilin, secretin, and vasoactive inhibitory peptide.  

  • Inhibitory hormone

    Any of a group of substances limiting the release of hormones from the pituitary. Somatostatin, which inhibits the release of growth hormone, is included in this group.  

  • Immunoregulatory hormone

    A hormone that influences components of the immune system, including the number and activity of the white blood cells. Such hormones are secreted by almost all of the glands in the body, particularly the hypothalamus and adrenal glands.  

  • Growth hormone releasing hormone

    A hormone from the hypothalamus that stimulates the release of growth hormone.  

  • Estrogenic hormone

    hormone that stimulates the development and maintenance of female sexual characteristics. Estrogens are secreted by the ovaries and the placenta in women and by the adrenal cortex in both sexes. Estrogenic hormones include estradiol, estrone, and estriol.  

  • Digestive hormone

    Any of a group of hormones produced by the stomach or small intestinal mucosa and stimulating various tissues to release enzymes, produce fluids, or affect gastrointestinal motility. The digestive hormones include gastrin, motilin, secretin, cholecystokinin, and vasoactive intestinal peptide.  

  • Counterregulatory hormone

    Any hormone that opposes the effects of insulin. Examples include glucagon, epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol, and growth hormone.  

  • Corticotropin-releasing hormone

    A hormone that is released from the hypothalamus and acts on the anterior pituitary to increase secretion of adrenal corticotropin hormone. In response to stress CRH causes hyperglycemia, increased oxygen consumption, increased cardiac output, and decreased sexual activity; suppresses release of growth hormone; diminishes gastrointestinal function; stimulates respiration; and causes behavioral changes.  

  • Corpus luteum hormone

    Progesterone. It stimulates development of secretory uterine endometrium and facilitates implantation of the fertilized ovum by reducing uterine motility.  

  • Bioidentical synthetic hormone

    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).  

Got any book recommendations?

Get In Touch