Glossary

What is glossary and how can we use it ?

This glossary gives the definition of terms frequently used in the field of stress, classified alphabetically.

Do not hesitate to use it and contact us for any additional term you would like to see.

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
    A
  • Absenteeism
    Habitual non-presence of an employee at her/his job without good reason.
  • Adrenal glands
    Brain region located in the temporal lobe, in each hemisphere. It plays an important role in memory and learning.
  • Adrenaline
    Hormone secreted by the adrenal glands in response to stress, also called epinephrine.
  • Allostasis
    The process of adaptation by which a state of internal equilibrium is maintained by the organism in response to stress.
  • Amygdala
    Two brain region located below the hippocampus in the temporal lobe. They are the center of emotions, notably fear.
  • Autonomic nervous system
    Part of the nervous system responsible for functions that are not subject to voluntary control (digestion, breathing, etc.).
    • B
  • Basal
    Normal or daily level.
  • Bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BNST)
    Region located in the center of the brain that has many connections with brain regions involved in the stress response, such as the amygdala and the hypothalamus.
  • Boreout
    Lack of stimulation at work. Opposite to burnout.
  • Brainstem
    Region located at the base of the brain that is the link with the spinal cord. It is responsible for several functions (e.g. breathing and heart rate regulation) and is a center for the passage of motor and sensory tracts.
  • Burnout
    State of emotional, physical and psychological exhaustion, due to prolonged stress. It is often caused by work-related problems but can also appear in other areas of life (parenting, caretaking, etc.)
    • C
  • Cortisol
    Steroid hormone secreted by the adrenal glands in response to activation of the HPA axis.
    • D
    E
  • Endocrine system
    Set of organs able to release hormones into the bloodstream.
    • F
    G
    H
  • Hippocampus
    Brain region located in the temporal lobe, in each hemisphere. It plays an important role in memory and learning.
  • Homeostasis
    Natural regulation of the organism to maintain its internal equilibrium despite external constraints.
  • Hormones
    Chemical substances produced by the endocrine system. They act as messengers in our body, travelling through the bloodstream.
  • Hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA)
    One of the systems responding to stress, involving the activation of the hypothalamus, the pituitary and the adrenal glands that secrete cortisol.
  • Hypothalamus
    Brain region located in the anterior part of the brain and responsible for the regulation of many bodily functions, including the secretion of hormones.
    • I
    J
    K
    L
  • Limbic system
    Set of brain structures that play a role in behavior and emotions.
    • M
    N
  • Negative feedback
    Process by which a system is shut down when the desired level of activity is reached.
    • O
    P
  • Parasympathetic nervous system
    Division of the autonomic nervous system whose effects are opposite to the sympathetic nervous system. It aims at slowing down the body functions to restore calm.
  • Pituitary
    Small gland located at the base of the skull that secretes various hormones.
  • Prefrontal cortex
    Brain region located in the front and headquarter of complex cognitive functions, such as decision-making, reasoning, attention and task planning.
  • Presenteeism
    Situation where workers who are physically present at the workplace are not operating at maximum capability due to illness, injury, or another condition.
    • Q
    R
  • Receptors
    Parts of the cell receiving chemical messages.
    • S
  • Sensory cortex
    Areas of the cerebral cortex where the first processing of information coming from the different senses takes place.
  • Sympathetic nervous system
    Division of the autonomic nervous system responsible for preparing the body for action.
    • T
  • Thalamus
    Brain region located between the cortex and the brainstem that acts as a relay between the sensory and motor systems.
    • U
    V
    W
    X
    Y
    Z