| Abdominal Aorta | The main artery that carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the lower body. |
| Acute Pancreatitis | An inflammatory process of the pancreas often caused by gallstones, alcohol use, among other causes, characterized by sudden and severe abdominal pain. |
| Adrenal Gland | An endocrine gland located above each kidney, consisting of the cortex and medulla, producing various hormones including adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol. |
| Adrenaline | A hormone and neurotransmitter produced by the adrenal medulla involved in the body’s fight-or-flight response. |
| Aldosterone | A mineralocorticoid hormone produced by the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex, regulating sodium and potassium balance in the body. |
| Amino Acids | Organic compounds that combine to form proteins, serving as the building blocks for protein synthesis. |
| Androgen | Sex hormones produced in the zona reticularis of the adrenal cortex, stimulating hair growth and oil production in the skin. |
| Bile | A digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, involved in the digestion and absorption of fats in the small intestine. |
| Beta Cell | A type of cell within the Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas responsible for producing insulin. |
| Blood Glucose | The main sugar found in the blood and the body’s primary source of energy. |
| Capsule | The outer protective layer of the adrenal gland, maintaining the gland's structure and protecting it from direct injury. |
| Common Bile Duct | A tube carrying bile from the gallbladder and liver to the duodenum. |
| Cortex | The outer region of the adrenal gland, divided into three zones (zona glomerulosa, zona fasciculata, zona reticularis) each producing different hormones. |
| Cortisol | A glucocorticoid hormone produced by the zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex, involved in stress response, metabolism, and immune response. |
| Duodenum | The first section of the small intestine where the pancreatic duct and the common bile duct release their contents. |
| Estrogens | Female sex hormones produced by the zona reticularis of the adrenal cortex, influencing the female reproductive system and bone health. |
| Gallbladder | An organ that stores and concentrates bile produced by the liver. |
| Glucagon | A hormone produced by alpha cells in the Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas, raising blood glucose levels. |
| Glucose Transporter 2 (GLUT2) | A protein that facilitates the transport of glucose into cells, particularly significant in pancreatic beta cells for insulin production. |
| Glucose Uptake | The process by which cells absorb glucose from the bloodstream, facilitated by insulin. |
| Gluconeogenesis | The production of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources, stimulated by cortisol in muscles. |
| Insulin | A hormone produced by beta cells in the pancreas, regulating blood sugar levels by facilitating glucose uptake into cells. |
| Insulin Resistance | A condition where the body's cells do not respond effectively to insulin, characteristic of Type 2 Diabetes. |
| Inferior Vena Cava | A major vein carrying deoxygenated blood from the lower body to the heart. |
| Islets of Langerhans | Clusters of cells within the pancreas, containing beta cells that produce insulin and other cells producing hormones like glucagon and somatostatin. |
| Jejunum | The second part of the small intestine, responsible for the majority of nutrient absorption. |
| Medulla | The inner region of the adrenal gland producing adrenaline and noradrenaline. |
| Mineralocorticoids | Hormones produced by the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex, involved in regulating the body’s salt and water balance. |
| Noradrenaline | Also known as norepinephrine, a hormone produced by the adrenal medulla causing vasoconstriction and increasing blood pressure. |
| Pancreas | A glandular organ involved in both endocrine and exocrine functions, producing digestive enzymes and hormones like insulin. |
| Pancreatic Duct | A duct running through the pancreas, allowing digestive enzymes to flow into the duodenum. |
| Pancreatic Polypeptide | A hormone produced by PP cells in the Islets of Langerhans, involved in regulating pancreatic secretions. |
| Portal Vein | A vein carrying nutrient-rich blood from the gastrointestinal tract to the liver. |
| Somatostatin | A hormone produced by delta cells in the Islets of Langerhans, regulating the secretion of other hormones. |
| Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus | An autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, leading to elevated blood glucose levels. |
| Type 2 Diabetes | A metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance, where the body’s cells do not respond effectively to insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. |
| Ureters | Structures that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder. |
| Zona Fasciculata | The thickest layer of the adrenal cortex, responsible for producing glucocorticoids like cortisol. |
| Zona Glomerulosa | The outermost layer of the adrenal cortex, producing mineralocorticoids like aldosterone. |
| Zona Reticularis | The innermost layer of the adrenal cortex, producing sex hormones, particularly androgens. |
