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human chorionic gonadotropin

(Encyclopedia)human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG): see gonadotropic hormone. ...

progesterone

(Encyclopedia)progesterone prōjĕsˈtərōnˌ [key], female sex hormone that induces secretory changes in the lining of the uterus essential for successful implantation of a fertilized egg. A steroid, progesterone...

aldosterone

(Encyclopedia)aldosterone ălˌdōstĭrōnˈ [key], steroid secreted by the cortex of the adrenal gland. It is the most potent hormone regulating the body's electrolyte balance. Aldosterone acts directly on the kid...

pseudocyesis

(Encyclopedia)pseudocyesis so͞oˌdōsīēˈsĭs [key], imaginary pregnancy in women usually resulting from a strong desire or need for motherhood. In the absence of conception, the menstrual periods nevertheless c...

hydrocortisone

(Encyclopedia)hydrocortisone hīˌdrəkôrˈtĭzōnˌ [key], another name for the steroid hormone cortisol, more especially used to refer to preparations of this hormone used medicinally. Hydrocortisone, introduced...

corticotropin

(Encyclopedia)corticotropin kôrˌtəkōtrōpˈən [key]: see adrenocorticotropic hormone. ...

vasopressin

(Encyclopedia)vasopressin văzˌōprĕsˈĭn [key]: see antidiuretic hormone. ...

osteoporosis

(Encyclopedia)osteoporosis ŏsˌtēōˌpərōˈsĭs [key], disorder in which the normal replenishment of old bone tissue is severely disrupted, resulting in weakened bones and increased risk of fracture; osteopenia...

parathyroid glands

(Encyclopedia)parathyroid glands pârˌəthīˈroid [key], four small endocrine bodies, located behind the thyroid gland, that govern calcium and phosphorus metabolism. These four masses of tissue (each about the s...

sleep

(Encyclopedia)sleep, resting state in which an individual becomes relatively quiescent and relatively unaware of the environment. During sleep, which is in part a period of rest and relaxation, most physiological f...