Endocrine Flashcards

1
Q

2 parts of pituitary gland

A

Anterior and posterior

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2
Q

Origin of posterior pituitary

A

Neuronal origin
Down-growth of the brain

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3
Q

What attaches the posterior pituitary to the brain

A

Pituitary stalk to the median eminence of the midbrain in the floor of the third ventricle

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4
Q

Where is the posterior pituitary attached to the brain

A

Median eminence of midbrain in the floor of the third ventricle

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5
Q

Which hormones does the posterior pituitary secrete

A

Vasopressin (ADH)
Oxytocin

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6
Q

What does the posterior pituitary contain

A

Nerve endings of axons whose cell bodies lie in the supraoptic and para-ventricular nuclei of hypothalamus

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7
Q

Origin of anterior pituitary

A

Epithelial in origin
Derived from roof of primitive gut tube

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8
Q

Adherence of anterior pituitary

A

Adheres to anterior border of posterior pituitary
Surrounds the pituitary stalk (pars tuberails)

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9
Q

What regulates the release of trophic hormones from the anterior pituitary gland

A

Releasing or inhibiting factors produced by neurons of the hypothalamus

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10
Q

How does the hypothalamus communicate with the anterior pituitary gland

A

Pituitary portal system

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11
Q

3 sub groups of cells in the anterior pituitary

A

Alpha cells/acidophils
Beta cells/basophils
Chromophobes

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12
Q

Which cells stain weakly with either type of dye

A

Chromophobes

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13
Q

Which cells fail to stain

A

Immature cells without granules

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14
Q

Which cells stain heavily with acid dyes

A

Alpha cells/ acidophils

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15
Q

Which cells stain heavily with basic dyes

A

Beta cells/ basophils

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16
Q

5 main classes of cell in anterior pituitary

A

Somatotrophs
Lactotrophs
Corticotrophs
Thyrotrophs
Gonadotrophs

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17
Q

What do Somatotrophs secrete

A

Growth hormone

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18
Q

What do Lactotrophs secrete

A

Prolactin

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19
Q

What do Corticotrophs secrete

A

Adrenocorticotropin hormone

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20
Q

What do Thyrotrophs secrete

A

Thyroid stimulating hormone

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21
Q

What do Gonadotrophs secrete

A

Follicle stimulating hormone
Luteinising hormome

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22
Q

Staining the posterior pituitary

A

Stains palely with H&E in routine wax embedded tissue

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23
Q

Herring bodies

A

Swollen nerve terminals containing dark staining neuro-secretory granules

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24
Q

Neurophysin

A

Carrier protein in posterior pituitary that binds to ADH or oxytocin

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25
Q

Adenohypophysis

A

Anterior pituitary - epithelial origin

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26
Q

Neurohypophysis

A

Posterior pituitary- neuronal origin

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27
Q

What colour do neuro-secretory granules (I.e. posterior pituitary) stain

A

Brown

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28
Q

Pars tuberalis

A

An upward extension of the anterior pituitary that surrounds the pituitary stalk to form the tuberal lobe
Contains mostly gonadotrophic cells

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29
Q

Which cell type is mostly found in the pars tuberalis

A

Gonadotrophic

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30
Q

Intermediate lobe

A

Lies between the anterior and posterior pituitary
Contains cyst-like aggregations of colloidal material

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31
Q

Pineal gland location

A

Backward projection from the 3rd ventricle below the corpus callosum
Covered by meninges

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32
Q

Function of pineal gland

A

Secretes melatonin

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33
Q

Function of melatonin

A

Regulator of diurnal rhythm

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34
Q

Innervation of pineal gland

A

Autonomic

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35
Q

Structure of pineal gland

A

Irregular clumps of neuron-like pinealocytes linked by glial cells
Calcium accumulates as particles in its capsule

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36
Q

Why does the pineal gland appear radio opaque and visible on x-rays

A

Calcium accumulates as particles in its capsule

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37
Q

Location of thyroid gland

A

Arises from floor of the mouth (stomatodeum)
Descends during development to lie in neck between the level of the thyroid cartilage superiorly and the 4th tracheal ring inferiorly

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38
Q

Structure of thyroid gland

A

2 lobes joined in the mid-line by an isthmus

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39
Q

Function of thyroid gland

A

Synthesises, stores and secretes thyroxine and calcitonin

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40
Q

Where are the parathyroid glands located

A

Embedded in posterior border of each lobe of thyroid gland

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41
Q

What links the thyroid gland to the Foramen caecum of the tongue

A

Midline thyroglossal ligament

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42
Q

Thyroid follicles

A

Form a single layered cuboidal epithelium surrounded by a basement membrane
Centre of each follicle is filled with amorphous colloid rich in thyroglobulin
Height of cells depends on metabolic activity

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43
Q

Thyroglobulin

A

Inert stored form of thyroxine hormone

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44
Q

First thyroid follicle phase- synthetic phase

A

Synthesis of thyroglobulin and store it within the follicle (upper panel)

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45
Q

2nd phase of thyroid follicle

A

Dormant period

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46
Q

3rd phase of thyroid follicle- resorbtive phase

A

Cells re-absorb and breakdown the colloid releasing the active hormone, mainly T4 (tetraiodothyronine), into the bloodstream (lower panel)

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47
Q

Characteristics of thyroid follicles in active phase

A

Cells enlarge and appear columnar in shape

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48
Q

Characteristics of thyroid follicles in dormant phase

A

Loose some organelles
More stored colloid
Low cuboidal profile

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49
Q

Where are C cells located

A

Thyroid gland
In clumps between the follicles (parafollicular cells)- some occur singly, trapped between the basement membrane and epithelial cells of the follicle

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50
Q

Function of C cells

A

Produce calcitonin

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51
Q

Composition of parathyroid glands

A

A mixture of fat cells (adipocytes) and secretory cells

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52
Q

Secretory cells of parathyroid gland structure

A

Arranged in clusters or short cords

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53
Q

Main type of secretory cells in parathyroid gland

A

Chief cells

54
Q

Structure of chief cells

A

10um in diameter
Palely stained
Contain large numbers of very small granules

55
Q

Types of secretory cells in parathyroid gland

A

Chief cells
Oxyphil cells

56
Q

Oxyphil cells

A

Larger pink-staining
Fewer numbers than chief cells
Role is uncertain

57
Q

Pancreatic islets of Langerhans

A

Small spherical masses of endocrine cells embedded throughout the exocrine pancreas
Constitute about 5% of the mass of the gland
Most numerous at the tail

58
Q

Where are pancreatic islets of Langerhans most numerous in the pancreas

A

Tail

59
Q

Number of cell types in islets of Langerhans

A

5

60
Q

5 secretory cell types in islets of Langerhans

A

Insulin secreting beta cells
Glucagon secreting alpha cells
Somatostatin secreting delta cells
Pancreatic polypeptide secreting cells
Ghrelin secreting cells

61
Q

What percentage of the islets of Langerhans is made up of insulin secreting beta cells

A

70%

62
Q

What percentage of the islets of Langerhans is made up of glucagon secreting alpha cells

A

20%

63
Q

What percentage of the islets of Langerhans is made up of somatostatin secreting delta cells

A

8%

64
Q

What percentage of the islets of Langerhans is made up of pancreatic polypeptide secreting cells

A

2%

65
Q

What percentage of the islets of Langerhans is made up of ghrelin secreting cells

A

<1%

66
Q

What is required to differentiate between types of secretory cells in the islets of Langerhans

A

Immunohistochemical staining

67
Q

What colour do the islets of Langerhans stain

A

Pale

68
Q

Which cells are mostly distributed around the periphery of the islets of Langerhans

A

Beta cells

69
Q

Distribution of beta cells

A

Mainly around the periphery of the islets and form anastomosing cords that penetrate to the centre of the

70
Q

Location of adrenal glands

A

In the abdomen superior to the kidney
Enclosed within renal fascia

71
Q

Structure of adrenal glands

A

Outer cortex
Inner medulla

72
Q

Centripetal blood supply to adrenal gland

A

Arterioles from the capsular arteries supply the cortical sinusoids and provide direct links to the medulla (medullary arterioles)
Both systems drain into the same central vein that carries the mixed cortical and medullary hormones to the renal vein (left) or IVC (right)

73
Q

3 zones of adrenal cortex

A

Outer glomerular zone
Intermediate fascicular zone
Inner reticular zone

74
Q

Outer glomerular zone of adrenal gland

A

Narrow
Rounded clumps of cell
Produces aldosterone and other mineralocorticoids

75
Q

Intermediate fascicular zone of adrenal gland

A

Thick
Long parallel cords of cells
Produce cortisol and other glucocorticoids

76
Q

Inner reticular zone of adrenal gland

A

Anastomosing cords of cells
Produce testosterone and other androgenic hormones

77
Q

Where are the hormones produced by the adrenal cortex stored

A

Sinusoids that run between the cords of cells

78
Q

Why are the secretory cells of the adrenal cortex pale staining

A

Accumulate droplets of fat and cholesterol from the hormones that are synthesised

79
Q

Structure of adrenal medulla

A

Irregular clumps of cells interspersed by blood vessels

80
Q

2 types of secretory cells in adrenal medulla

A
  1. Synthesise and secrete adrenaline
  2. Secrete noradrenaline
81
Q

Are the hormones in the adrenal cortex stored

A

No- discharge into sinusoids that run between the cords of cells as soon as produced

82
Q

Are the hormones synthesised in the adrenal medulla stored

A

Yes- in small neurosecretory granules within the cytoplasm of cells until required

83
Q

What influences cells of the adrenal medulla

A

Steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex in the blood that bathes the cells
Autonomic (mainly sympathetic) innervation

84
Q

Central vein in adrenal medulla

A

Large vein
Thickened by bundles of smooth muscle fibres that run parallel to the vein, foreshortening it and helping to keep it open

85
Q

Other hormone secreting tissues

A

Ovary
Testis
Placenta

86
Q

Locations of isolated clumps of neuro-endocrine cells

A

Epithelium of the gut
Respiratory tract
Paraganglia
Carotid bodies

87
Q

What do acidophils secrete

A

Growth hormone
Prolactin

88
Q

What do basophils secrete

A

Thyrotrophs
Corticotrophs
Gonadotrophs

89
Q

From which brain nuclei do the neurons that give rise to herring bodies originate

A

Supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei in the walls of the third ventricle and receive input from the hypothalamus

90
Q

What stimulates calcitonin secretion

A

High blood calcium

91
Q

Action of calcitonin

A

Lowers serum calcium by promoting the uptake of calcium in the blood particularly into bones and muscles
Inhibits absorption of calcium from the gut and reabsorption of calcium in the kidney

92
Q

What hormone has an antagonist action to calcitonin

A

Parathormone

93
Q

Action of oxytocin on the uterus

A

Contraction of muscles of uterus
Dilation of birth canal

94
Q

Action of oxytocin on breasts

A

Contraction of smooth muscle in nipple causing it to become erect
Contraction of myoepithelial cells of secretory alveoli aiding expression of milk

95
Q

What hormone do chief cells produce

A

Parathormone

96
Q

Action of parathormone

A

Mobilisation of calcium mainly from the bones

97
Q

Which hormone secreting glands are derived directly from the primitive gut tube

A

Anterior pituitary
Thyroid
Parathyroid glands
Endocrine pancreas

98
Q

Where are Catecholamines produced

A

Chromaffin cells of adrenal medulla
Post ganglionic fibre of sympathetic nervous system

99
Q

Cells of adrenal medulla are derived from 2 distinct embryonic primordia - what are they

A

Modified postganglionic axons of sympathetic nervous system
Derived from neural crest
Synthesise melanin and small granules can be seen in the cytoplasm

100
Q

All endocrine organs are composed of glandular epithelium apart from….

A

Posterior pituitary

101
Q

What percentage of cells in the anterior pituitary are somatotrophs

A

50%

102
Q

What percentage of cells in the anterior pituitary are Lactotrophs

A

25%

103
Q

What percentage of cells in the anterior pituitary are Corticotrophs

A

15-20%

104
Q

What percentage of cells in the anterior pituitary are Gonadotrophs

A

10%

105
Q

What percentage of cells in the anterior pituitary are Thyrotrophs

A

1%

106
Q

Where are somatotrophs predominantly found in the anterior pituitary

A

Lateral wings
Present throughout

107
Q

Lactotrophs structure

A

Polygonal cells
Cytoplasmic processes wrap around other cells
Variable prolactin staining

108
Q

Thyrotrophs structure

A

Angular Chromophobes
Elongated cytoplasmic processes
Variable TSH staining

109
Q

Gonadotrophs structure

A

Scattered round/oval cells
Stain with either:
Alpha subunits
Beta LH
beta FSH

110
Q

Corticotrophs structure

A

Round basophilic cells
Median of gland
Large cytoplasmic vacuoles- enigmatic bodies

111
Q

What supports pituicytes in the anterior pituitary

A

Sustentacular cells
Surrounds the normal follicles
Stains with S100

112
Q

Pituitary adenoma

A

Benign tumour of pituitary

113
Q

Structure of pinealocytes

A

Eosinophilic cytoplasm
Central rounded nuclei
Arranged in rosettes

114
Q

Parathyroid chief cell structure

A

Polygonal cells
Scant cytoplasm

115
Q

How to determine between parathyroid and thyroid tissue

A

Parathyroid= no calcium oxalate crystals

116
Q

Parathyroid Oxyphil cell structure

A

Large polygonal cells
Increase with age
Abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm
Finely granular- rich in mitochondria

117
Q

Number of islets of Langerhans in pancreas

A

Approximately 1 million

118
Q

What secretes adrenaline and noradrenaline

A

Chromaffin cells

119
Q

Which statement concerning endocrine organs is true?

A

All have a rich vascular supply

120
Q

Which are the least common cells in the anterior pituitary?

A

Thyrotrophs

121
Q

Which are the most common cells in the anterior pituitary?

A

Somatotrophs

122
Q

Parathyroid chief cells…

A

Have scanty cytoplasm

123
Q

Which gland contains fat cells

A

Parathyroid glands

124
Q

The adrenal zona fasciculata principally secretes

A

Cortisol

125
Q

Which hormones are produced by the islets of Langerhans

A

Insulin
Glucagon
Somatostatin
Pancreatic polypeptide
Ghrelin

126
Q

Which endocrine organ receives its blood supply through a portal circulation?

A

Anterior pituitary

127
Q

What hormones are produced by arachidonic acid

A

Prostaglandins

128
Q

What is produced from glutamic acid

A

Histamine

129
Q

What is produced from tryptophan

A

Melatonin

130
Q

What is produced from cholesterol

A

Adrenal cortical hormones (steroid)

131
Q

What is produced from tyrosine

A

Thyroxine
Catecholamines
Peptide