CH. 16: Disease & Disorder Terms

Question 1

acromegaly

Answer 1

enlargement of the extremities (and face due to increased soft tissue, bone, and cartilage; caused by excessive production of the growth hormone by the pituitary gland after puberty)

Question 2

adrenalitis

Answer 2

inflammation of the adrenal glands

Question 3

adrenomegaly

Answer 3

enlargement (of one or both) of the adrenal glands

Question 4

endocrinopathy

Answer 4

(any) disease of the endocrine (system)

Question 5

hypercalcemia

Answer 5

excessive calcium in the blood

Question 6

hyperglycemia

Answer 6

excessive sugar in the blood

Question 7

hyperkalemia

Answer 7

excessive potassium in the blood

Question 8

hyperparathyroidism

Answer 8

state of excessive parathyroid gland activity (resulting in hypercalcemia and leading to osteoporosis, as well as symptoms of muscle weakness, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness)

Question 9

hyperpituitarism

Answer 9

state of excessive pituitary gland activity (characterized by excessive secretion of pituitary hormones)

Question 10

hyperthyroidism

Answer 10

state of excessive thyroid gland activity (characterized by excessive secretion of thyroid hormones; signs and symptoms include tachycardia, weight loss, irritability, and heat intolerance)

Question 11

hypocalcemia

Answer 11

deficient calcium in the blood

Question 12

hypoglycemia

Answer 12

deficient sugar in the blood

Question 13

hypokalemia

Answer 13

deficient potassium in the blood

Question 14

hyponatremia

Answer 14

deficient sodium in the blood

Question 15

hypopituitarism

Answer 15

state of deficient pituitary gland activity (characterized by decreased secretion of one or more of the pituitary hormones, which can affect the function of the target endocrine gland; for example, hypothyroidism can result from decreased secretion of thyroid-stimulating hormone by the pituitary gland)

Question 16

hypothyroidism

Answer 16

state of deficient thyroid gland activity (characterized by decreased secretion of thyroid hormones; signs and symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, and cold intolerance)

Question 17

panhypopituitarism

Answer 17

state of total deficient pituitary gland activity (characterized by decreased secretion of all the anterior pituitary hormones; this is a more serious condition than hypopituitarism in that it affects the function of all the other endocrine glands)

Question 18

parathyroidoma

Answer 18

tumor of a parathyroid gland

Question 19

thyroiditis

Answer 19

inflammation of the thyroid gland

Question 20

Addison disease

Answer 20

chronic syndrome resulting from a deficiency in the hormonal secretion of the adrenal cortex. Signs and symptoms may include weakness, weight loss, hypotension, darkening of skin, and loss of appetite.

Question 21

congenital hypothyroidism

Answer 21

condition caused by congenital absence or atrophy (wasting away) of the thyroid gland, resulting in hypothyroidism. The disease is characterized by puffy features, mental deficiency, large tongue, and short stature.

Question 22

Cushing syndrome

Answer 22

group of signs and symptoms attributed to the excessive production of cortisol by the adrenal cortices (pl. of cortex). This syndrome may be the result of a pituitary tumor that produces ACTH or a primary adrenal cortex hypersecretion. Signs include abnormally pigmented skin, “moon face,” pads of fat on the chest and abdomen, “buffalo hump” (fat on the upper back), wasting away of muscle, and hypertension.

Question 23

diabetes insipidus (DI)

Answer 23

result of decreased secretion of antidiuretic hormone by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland. Symptoms include excessive thirst (polydipsia), large amounts of urine (polyuria), and water being excreted from the body.

Question 24

diabetes mellitus (DM)

Answer 24

chronic disease involving a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism caused by under-activity of the insulin-producing islets of Langerhans and characterized by elevated blood sugar (hyperglycemia). DM can cause chronic renal disease, retinopathy, and neuropathy. In extreme cases the patient may develop ketosis, acidosis, and finally coma.

Question 25

gigantism

Answer 25

condition brought about by hypersecretion of growth hormone by the pituitary gland before puberty.

Question 26

Graves disease

Answer 26

autoimmune disorder of the thyroid gland characterized by the production of more thyroid hormone than the body needs (hyperthyroidism), goiter, and exophthalmos (abnormal protrusion of the eyeballs).

Question 27

Hashimoto thyroiditis

Answer 27

disease in which thyroid gland cells are destroyed by autoimmune processes. Characterized by hypothyroidism and goiter; more common in females.

Question 28

ketoacidosis

Answer 28

serious condition resulting from uncontrolled diabetes mellitus in which acid ketones accumulate from fat metabolism in the absence of adequate insulin. If not promptly controlled by adequate insulin and hydration, can progress to coma and death.

Question 29

metabolic syndrome

Answer 29

group of signs and symptoms including insulin resistance, obesity characterized by excessive fat around the area of the waist and abdomen, hypertension, hyperglycemia, elevated triglycerides, and low levels of the “good” cholesterol HDL. Risks include development of type 2 diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, or stroke (also called syndrome X and insulin resistance syndrome).

Question 30

myxedema

Answer 30

condition resulting from an extreme deficiency of the thyroid hormone thyroxine; a severe form of hypothyroidism in an adult. Signs include puffiness of the face and hands, coarse and thickened skin, enlarged tongue, slow speech, and anemia.

Question 31

neuroblastoma

Answer 31

malignant cancer that often starts in the adrenal medulla, composed of immature nerve cells. Primarily affects children.

Question 32

pheochromocytoma

Answer 32

tumor of the adrenal medulla, which is usu. non-malignant and characterized by hypertension, headaches, palpitations, diaphoresis, chest pain, and abdominal pain. Surgical removal of the tumor is the most common treatment. Though usu. curable with early detection, it can be fatal if untreated.

Question 33

thyrotoxicosis

Answer 33

condition caused by excessive thyroid hormones.