Endocrine Flashcards
What is the difference between anterior and posterior lobes of pituitary?
The anterior lobe is an outpouring of oral ectoderm. It synthesises and secretes hormones.
The posterior lobe is an extension of the hypothalamus, and it stores and secretes hormones.
What is the most common type of pituitary tumour?
Adenoma (benign). Prolactinoma is most common.
Others include growth hormone and ACTH secreting (Graves)
Where is an ectopic thyroid most likely to be?
Base of tongue.
What is palpate on thyroiditis?
Thyroid inflammation due to mechanical damage to thyroid follicles.
What disease causes dysphagia, hoarseness, stridor and firm goitre?
Reidel thyroiditis. Rare fibrosing form of chronic thyroiditis. Can be mistaken for malignancy.
What are the four main types of thyroid carcinoma?
Papillary (70%) and Follicular (15%).
Medullary carcinoma (originates from parafollicular cells)
Anapaestic carcinoma (can be a progression from other cancers, is very aggressive)
What type of thyroid carcinoma is associated with BRAF oncogene and RET/NTRK1?
Papillary carcinoma
What type of thyroid carcinoma secretes calcitonin?
Medullary carcinoma. Associated with MEN2a and MEN2b gene mutations and RET mutation.
What is responsible for symptoms of hyperparathyroidism?
Hypercalcaemia. Groans and moans.
What are the causes of addisons in developing countries?
Tuberculosis. In UK, most likely to be autoimmune.
What are the symptoms of Addisons?
Hyper pigmentation of lips and gums. Postural hypotension, hyponatraemia.
What is the name of an adenoma of the adrenal gland that causes elevation in catecholamine levels?
Phaeochromocytoma. Rule of 10.
Which syndrome can be caused by aldosterone producing tumours and is characterised by high blood pressure and muscle spasms.
Conns.
What is the sella turcica and what sits on top of it?
A depression in the sphenoid bone. The pituitary gland sits in the hypopyseal fossa.
