The word "chromaffin hormone" refers to a hormone that is secreted by the chromaffin cells present in the adrenal gland. The correct pronunciation of this word can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /kroʊməˈfɪn hɔːrmoʊn/. The primary stress in the word falls on the second syllable, which is pronounced as /ˈfɪn/. The phonetic transcription of this word helps to understand its pronunciation and avoid any confusion that may arise due to its spelling.
Chromaffin hormone refers to a class of hormones secreted by the chromaffin cells found in the adrenal medulla and the sympathetic ganglia. These hormones include adrenaline (also known as epinephrine) and noradrenaline (also known as norepinephrine), which are key components of the body's stress response system, also known as the fight-or-flight response.
Adrenaline and noradrenaline play crucial roles in regulating various physiological responses such as heart rate, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels. They are involved in the mobilization of energy reserves, increasing oxygen delivery to the muscles and brain, and enhancing alertness and focus. These hormones are released into the bloodstream in response to stress, fear, exercise, or other triggering factors.
Chromaffin hormones are derived from the amino acid tyrosine and are synthesized and stored within the secretory vesicles of chromaffin cells. Upon stimulation, these hormones are rapidly released into the bloodstream, exerting their effects on multiple organ systems throughout the body.
Dysregulation of chromaffin hormone secretion or activity can contribute to various medical conditions, including hypertension, cardiovascular disorders, and certain types of tumors such as pheochromocytoma or neuroblastoma. In some cases, pharmacological agents that mimic or inhibit the action of chromaffin hormones are used in the treatment of these conditions.
Epinephrine, adrenaline.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "chromaffin" comes from the Latin word "chroma", meaning color, and the Latin word "affinis", meaning affinity or related to. The term was first used in the mid-1800s to describe certain cells in the adrenal gland that appear to have an affinity for staining with certain dyes and have a distinctive color change when exposed to certain chemicals. These specialized cells were later found to produce various hormones, leading to the term "chromaffin hormone" being used to describe these secreted substances.