Glossary

Angina - Pain and spasms of the chest and throat.

Anterior Pituitary - An endocrine gland situated below the hypothalamus whose secretions are controlled by the hypothalamus.

Atherosclerosis - A thickening or hardening of the walls of the arteries.

Astrocyte - A glial cell that provides support (including nutrition) for neurons of the central nervous system, and regulates the chemical composition of the extracellular fluid.

Atrophy - To waste away.

Choline acetyltransferase - The enzyme that transfers the acetate ion from acetyl coenzyme A to choline, producing the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.

Cognition - The capacity to think, remember and anticipate; the process by which we acquire information, think, and remember.

Dementia - An abnormal condition marked by multiple cognitive deficits that include memory loss and at least one other cognitive deficit.

Dendritic Complexes - Also known as dendrites. A branched, tree-like structure attached to the body of a neuron; it receives information from other neurons.

Dystrophy - A wasting away caused by faulty nutrition or lack of resources.

Endometrial Cancer - Cancer of the lining of the uterus often caused by inadequate levels of progesterone

Estradiol(b-estradiol) - The predominant estrogen secreted by the ovaries.

Estriol - A byproduct of the breakdown of b-estradiol and estrone.

Estrogen - A hormone produced by the ovaries in response to FSH and LH. Estrogens induce development of the female reproductive organs, are involved in the regulation of the menstrual cycle, and help to maintain bone density.

Estrone - An estrogen secreted by peripheral tissues.

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) - A hormone released by the pituitary during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle which stimulates that development of the follicle and the ovary.

Follicle Stimulating Releasing Hormone (FSRH) - A hormone released by the hypothalamus that causes the anterior pituitary to release Follicle Stimulating Hormone.

Glial cells - The supporting cells of the central nervous system. They insulate neurons from one another so that neural messages do not get confused or misguided.

HDL cholesterol - A form of cholesterol that can cause plaques in arteries when too much is present in the body; these plaques can lead to constriction of the arteries, which may lead to coronary heart disease.

Hypothalamus - A group of nuclei in the midbrain, below the thalamus, that regulate the autonomic nervous system and control the anterior and posterior pituitary.

Hysterectomy - A removal of the uterus and/or fallopian tubes; only performed in response to severe reproductive cancer or acute injury to the reproductive organs.

Incontinence - Inability to restrain the natural discharge of urine.

LDL cholesterol - This cholesterol serves to remove other cholesterol from the arteries and return it to the liver, protecting the body against coronary heart disease and other cardiovascular problems.

Leutinizing Hormone (LH) - A hormone released by the pituitary during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle which stimulates development of the ovum, and induce the ovaries to release estradiol, a form of estrogen.

Leutinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone (LHRH) - A hormone released by the hypothalamus that causes the anterior pituitary to release Leutinizing Hormone.

Menopause - A cessation of ovarian function marked by the last menstrual period. This event can only be assessed in retrospect, and is the period of overlap between perimenopause and postmenopause.

Perimenopause - The period immediately before menopause in which ovarian function begins to decrease and menstruation occurs less frequently due to a decrease in estrogen.

Postmenopause - The period lasting from menopause until death.

Premenopause - The period between menarche (the first menstrual period) and the onset of perimenopause.

Progesterone - A hormone involved in the regulation of the menstrual cycle.

Progestins - Synthetic progesterones.

Osteoporosis - A weakening of the bones and decrease in bone density that often occurs in elderly women and men. Due to a removal of calcium from the bone and a cessation of the deposition of calcium into the bone.

Thromboembolic events - Blood clots and embolisms, or obstruction of blood vessels

Vaginitis - Inflammation of the vaginal canal.