Endocrine / Metabolic System

Question 1

what is the main function of the endocrine system? (5)

Answer 1

differentiate reproductive / CNS of the developing fetus

stimulation of sequential grown and development

coordination of male and female repro systems

maintenance of optimal internal environment throughout lifespan

initiation of corrective/adaptive responses when emergency demands occur

Question 2

what organs control the function of other endocrine organs

Answer 2

hypothalamus
pituitary
thyroid
pancreas

Question 3

what is gigantism?

Answer 3

an abrupt overgrowth of long bones in children that may lead to a child being excessively tall

Question 4

what is acromegaly

Answer 4

slow development of adults that affects the face, jaw, hands and feet after the closure of growth plates

may include myopathy and muscle weakness

Question 5

what does the hypothalamus do

Answer 5

main integrative center for the endocrine / autonomic nervous system

controls the function of endocrine organs by neural and hormonal pathways

Question 6

what does the pituitary gland do? what does it release?

Answer 6

regulator of endocrine glands by releasing

adrenocorticotropin hormone
thyroid stimulating hormone
luteinizing hormone
follicle stimulating hormone
human growth hormone
prolactin

Question 7

what causes gigantism or acromegaly?

Answer 7

hyperpituitarism
- abnormal growth patterns

Question 8

what is a result of hypopituitarism

Answer 8

dwarfism
diabetes insipidus - imbalance of water due to ADH deficiency

Question 9

what is hyperthyroidism

Answer 9

excessive secretion of thyroid hormone (thyrotoxicosis) that causes a general elevation of body metabolism

Question 10

what is the common name for hyperthyroidism? who does it affect / when?

Answer 10

Graves Disease
women (4x) more than men
20-40 y/o
may occur due to infection and/or have an autoimmune component

Question 11

what are some common symptoms of hyperthyroidism

Answer 11

mild enlargement of thyroid gland (goiter)
nervousness / mood changes
heat intolerance / sweating
weight loss
diarrhea
tremor / palpitations
hyperactivity

Question 12

what are some additional symptoms of graves disease

Answer 12

heart problems
periarthritis
proximal muscle weakness / atrophy
dyspnea
protrusion of the eyes

Question 13

how is hyperthyroidism treated

Answer 13

antithyroid medications
radioactive iodine
surgery

Question 14

what clinical symptoms is hyperthyroidism associated with

Answer 14

exercise intolerance and reduced exercise capacity

proximal muscle weakness and accompanying myopathy

Question 15

what is hypothyroidism

Answer 15

deficiency of thyroid hormone resulting in generalized slowed metabolism

Question 16

what are the forms of hypothyroidism? what does that mean?

Answer 16

type 1 - hormone deficient, not enough of the hormone is produced

type 2 - hormone resistant, thyroid gland does not respond to TSH so not enough T3/4 do not reach organs

Question 17

what body process are affected as a result of hypothyroidism

Answer 17

bradycardia
decreased GI tract activity
slowed neurologic function
decrease in body heat production
achlorhydria (absence of hydrochloric acid in gastric juices)

lipid metabolism altered - high serum cholesterol and triglycerides

Question 18

what are the clinical manifestations of hypothyroidism

Answer 18

nonpitting edema
thickening of tongue, pharyngeal and laryngeal structures
hoarseness and slurred speech
decreasing mental stability
dry flaky inelastic skin
dry hair
upper eyelid droop
thick brittle nails
cardiovascular / msk involvement

Question 19

where are the parathyroid glands? how many of them are there?

Answer 19

4 glands on the dorsal surface in each corner (lobe) of the thyroid gland

Question 20

what do the parathyroid glands do

Answer 20

produce parathyroid hormone in order to regulate calcium and phosphorus metabolism

Question 21

what is hyperparathyroidism

Answer 21

overactivity of parathyroid glands
can lead to damage to bone and kidneys

Question 22

what is hypoparathyroidism

Answer 22

underactivity of parathyroid glands that affects CNS and other body systems

produces hypocalcemia and high serum phosphate levels

can lead to neuromuscular inability

Question 23

what is addison disease? what causes it?

Answer 23

insufficient release of cortisol and aldosterone due to a disorder of the adrenal gland

diminishes resistance to stress

Question 24

what are the symptoms of addison disease

Answer 24

abdominal, low back or leg pain
weakness
hypotension
weight loss
nausea
vomitting
diarrhea
skin pigmentation changes

fluid/electrolyte imbalances

Question 25

what is cushing syndrome

Answer 25

hypercortisolism due to over secretion of adrenal glands, excess corticosteroid medication or excess ACTH stimulation from pituitary gland

Question 26

what are symptoms of cushing syndrome

Answer 26

protuberant abdomen
poor wound healing
thinning of skin
generalized muscle weakness
osteoperosis

Question 27

what is conn syndrome

Answer 27

adrenal lesion results in hypersecretion of aldosterone that in turn enhances sodium reabsorption by the kidneys

Question 28

what can conn syndrome cause

Answer 28

hypernatremia - too much sodium
hypervolemia - too much fluid volume
hypokalemia - too little potassium
metabolic alkalosis - body is more basic than acidic

Question 29

what are the islets of langerhans major functions

Answer 29

alpha cells - glucagon production
beta cells - insulin production
delta cells - somatostatin

Question 30

what does glucagon, insulin and somatostatin do?

Answer 30

glucagon - release of sugars, increase blood sugar

insulin - decrease blood sugar, digestion of sugars

somatostatin - regulate the release of both insulin/glucagon

Question 31

what is type 1 diabetes

Answer 31

cell-mediated autoimmune destruction of beta cells in the pancreas

insulin deficiency

Question 32

what is type 2 diabetes

Answer 32

cellular resistance to insulin action and inadequate compensatory insulin secretory response

Question 33

what is associated with type 1 diabetes

Answer 33

visual issues
neuropathic complications
blood lipid abnormalities
atherosclerosis

Question 34

what is associated with type 2 diabetes

Answer 34

obesity and sedentary lifestyle
skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle and adipose tissue issues
ketones that interfere with acid-base balance and metabolic acidosis

Question 35

what is most affected by type 2 diabetes

Answer 35

blood vessels and nerves
- blindness, kidney failure and neuropathies
- higher risk for CAD, stroke and periphreal vascular disease

Question 36

what is Charcot disease

Answer 36

chronic progressive degeneration of stress-bearing portion of a joint associated with loss of protective sensation

can lead to complete joint destruction

Question 37

how can diabetes be diagnosed

Answer 37

fasting plasma glucose
oral glucose
tolerance test
A1c - 5.5 to 6.5

Question 38

how is type 1 diabetes managed

Answer 38

insulin administration and dietary management

Question 39

how is type 2 diabetes treated

Answer 39

diet and exercise
sometimes in conjunction with oral hypoglycemic drugs

Question 40

what does the metabolism system do?

Answer 40

balance fluid and electrolytes by making sure that the composition of positive charged and negative charged electrolytes are equal

Question 41

what is the range of acid-base balance? how does it do this?

Answer 41

pH of 7.35 to 7.45
carbonic acid regulation by lungs
base bicarbonate regulation by kidneys

Question 42

if acidosis occurs, what happens?
if alkalosis occurs, what happens?

Answer 42

acidosis - lungs kick in to make it more basic

alkalosis - kidneys kick in to make it more acidic

Question 43

what are the common mechanisms of parathyroid injury

Answer 43

surgical procedure