Filled with medical definitions commonly related to CPP, this glossary was created to help you understand your child's diagnosis and treatment. If you have any further questions, please ask your child's doctor.
ADRENAL
pertaining to either of two adrenal glands located just above the kidneys.
ADRENAL GLAND
either of two small glands, one at the upper end of each kidney.
BENIGN
not malignant (not cancerous).
COMPUTERIZED AXIAL TOMOGRAPHY (CAT) SCAN
a painless process in which a computer generates cross-section views of a patient's anatomy. It can identify normal and abnormal structures, and it can be used to guide procedures.
CENTRAL PRECOCIOUS PUBERTY
a condition that causes children to enter puberty too soon, resulting in accelerated bone growth, and the development of secondary sex characteristics.
ENDOCRINE
applies to organs and structures that release their products into the blood or lymph, and to hormones that exert specific effects on other organs.
ENDOCRINOLOGY
medical discipline dealing with disorders of the endocrine glands and hormones regulating bodily functions.
FERTILITY
ability to have children.
GnRH
gonadotropin-releasing hormone.
GnRH AGONIST
a synthetic version of naturally occuring GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone).
GLAND
a group of cells that secrete a substance for use in the body
(eg, pituitary gland).
GONAD
a reproductive gland (ie, an ovary or testis).
GONADOTROPIC
acting on or stimulating the gonads.
HORMONE
substance secreted by cells or tissue that functions in the regulation of physiological activities.
HYPOTHALAMUS
the area of the brain that controls body temperature, sleep, hunger and thirst, and the development of secondary sex characteristics.
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (MRI)
a method of visualizing soft tissues of the body by applying an external magnetic field.
MALIGNANT
tending to be severe and become progressively worse; also a cancerous tumor.
OVARIES
the female sex glands. The ovaries produce eggs and are the body's main source of female hormones. These hormones control the development of female body characteristics, such as the breasts, body shape, and body hair. They also regulate the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
PITUITARY
the main endocrine gland, which produces hormones that control other glands and many body functions.
PUBERTY
adolescence, the period in which the human body first becomes capable of reproduction.
SCROTUM
a pouch of skin that contains the testes, epididymides, and lower portions of the spermatic cords.
SECONDARY SEX CHARACTERISTICS
those characteristics specific to the male or female but not directly involved in reproduction.
SIDE EFFECT
an unintended effect of a drug.
SYMPTOM
subjective feeling that indicates the presence of a physical disorder.
TESTICLES
the male sex glands, located behind the penis in a pouch of skin called the scrotum. The testicles produce and store sperm and are also the body's main source of male hormones, such as testosterone. These hormones control the development of the reproductive organs and other male characteristics, such as body and facial hair, low voice, and wide shoulders. Also known as testes and male gonads.
TUMOR
an abnormal mass of tissue. Tumors can be benign or malignant.
ULTRASOUND
a diagnostic procedure that uses sound waves to record pictures of internal organs.
