Acromegaly - Glossary

Acromegaly - Glossary

Adenoma - General term for a benign tumor of a gland.

Cardiovascular diseases - Diseases of the heart and/or blood vessels.


Carpal tunnel syndrome - Condition caused by compression of median nerve at the wrist often from repetitive motion.

Computed tomography (CT) scan - An x-ray technique that produces cross-sectional images of tissue structures through the body.

Diabetes mellitus - A chronic syndrome of impaired glucose metabolism due to insufficient secretion or relative deficiency of insulin.

Endocrine system - A regulatory system comprised of the endocrine glands that controls vital body functions such as metabolic activity, growth, and reproduction.

GH receptor agonist (GHRA) - A type of drug that blocks GH action peripherally and decreases IGF-1 production.

Gigantism - A condition caused by excessive secretion of growth hormones in childhood.

Growth hormone (GH) - A substance secreted by the pituitary gland that stimulates growth of bones and soft tissue in children and regulates metabolism in adults.

Hormone - A substance that is secreted by one gland or tissue and transported in blood to act on a distant organ or tissue.

Hypothalamus - Part of the endocrine system that helps activate and control the pituitary.

Headache - Pain or discomfort of the head, upper face, scalp, or neck region.

Impotence - Inability to attain or sustain an erection.

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) - A growth factor made predominantly in the liver; its levels increase in response to increased levels of GH.

Menstrual condition - Any conditions related to menstruation irregularities.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - A method of obtaining three-dimensional views of body organs using radiofrequency waves and intense magnetic fields.

Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) - A test used to assess the body's ability to utilize glucose.

Pituitary - A small gland located at the base of the brain behind the eyes. The pituitary secretes hormones that directly or indirectly affect most basic bodily functions.

Radiotherapy - The use of radiation to kill rapidly growing tumor cells.

Secretion - A substance produced by a tissue that may be retained in the body or released from the body.

Somatostatin - The naturally occurring hormone produced in many parts of the body that signals the pituitary to reduce the production of GH.

Swollen bone - Enlarged, swollen, or misshapen bones.

Tumor - A pathological tissue growth, characterized by uncontrolled multiplication of cells.

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