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Clinical Anatomy > endocrine physiology > Flashcards

endocrine physiology Flashcards

1
Q

describe the relationship between the endocrine and nervous system

A

both systems work together, but the nervous system can override the endocrine system at any time

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2
Q

what is a hormone

A

chemical substance produced by a ductless endocrine gland that has specific regulatory effects on a target cell or organ

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3
Q

why are nervous system responses faster than endocrine system responses

A

the nervous system is composed of action potentiald

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4
Q

what is an endocrine gland

A

ductless gland

secretes product directly into blood stream

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5
Q

what is an exocrine gland

A

duct

secretes product into the duct until its needed

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6
Q

list the endocrine glands

A 
pituitary 
adrenal
thyroid
parathyroid
pancreas
testes
ovaries
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7
Q

define autocrines

A

chemicals that exert effects on same cells that secrete them

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8
Q

define paracrines

A

locally acting chemicals that affect cells other than those that secrete them

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9
Q

what hormones are water-soluble

A

amino acid-based (catecholamines), but not thyroid hormones

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10
Q

what is the function of water soluble hormones

A

act on plasma membrane receptors as second messengers

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11
Q

what are the lipid soluble hormones

A

steroid and thyroid hormones

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12
Q

where are amine hormones (epinephrine) located on the cell

water or lipid-soluble

A

cell surface

water-soluble

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13
Q

where are amine (thyroid) hormones located on the cell

water or lipid-soluble

A

intracellular

lipid soluble

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14
Q

where are peptide/protein hormones located on the cell

water or lipid-soluble

A

cell surface

water soluble

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15
Q

where are steroids and vitamin D located in the cell

water or lipid-soluble

A

intracellular

lipid-soluble

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16
Q

what is another name for the posterior pituitary

A

neurohypophysis

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17
Q

what is another name for the anterior pituitary

A

adenohypophysis

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18
Q

what are the contents within the posterior pituitary/neurohypophysis

what is the function

A

neural tissue

maintains neural connection to the hypothalamus via hypothalamic-hypophyseal tract
stores ADH and oxytocin

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19
Q

what is the function of oxytocin

A 
stimulates uterine contraction during childbirth
stimulated milk let down
sexual arousal in both sexes
promotes nurturing behavior
regulated by positive feed back
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20
Q

what is the artificial form of oxytocin

A

pitocin

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21
Q

what is the function of ADH

A

inhibits urination

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22
Q

what is the action of ADH to inhibit urination

A

targets renal tubules (collecting ducts) of the kidneys through cAMP 2nd messengers
causes collecting ducts to reabsorb more water during times of high blood solute levels

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23
Q

how is ADH regulated

A

negative feedback - keeps levels in normal ranges and stops release when hormones reach normal ranges

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24
Q

ADH deficiency can lead to what chronic disease

A

diabetes insipidus

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25
Q

what pathology can cause ADH hypersecretion

A

meningitis in children
neurosurgery, trauma, cancer cells,
after general anesthesia (can lead to SIADH)

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26
Q

how is the anterior pituitary controlled

A

controlled by the hypothalamic hormones via the hypophyseal portal system

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27
Q

describe the hypophyseal portal system

A

capillary system that begins at the hypothalamus and drains into capillaries at the adenohypophysis
pathway by which inhibiting or releasing hormones from hypothalamus controls the adenohypophysis

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28
Q

what are the 6 peptide hormones of the adenohypophysis

A 
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
luteinizing hormone (LH)
adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
growth hormone (GH)
prolactin (PRL)
melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)
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29
Q

what are the hormones released by the anterior pituitary that are considered tropic hormones

what is the function of tropic hormones

A

FSH, LH, ACTH, TSH

regulate the secretory action of other endocrine glands

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30
Q

what anterior pituitary hormones are considered direct hormones

what is the function of a direct hormone

A

GH and PRL

go directly to the cells/tissues

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31
Q

what is the function of FSH

A

targets ovaries and testes to stimulate gamete production

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32
Q

what is the function of LH

A

women: triggers ovulation, promotes synthesis and release of estrogen and progesterone from ovaries
men: stimulates interstitial cells of the testes to produce testosterone

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33
Q

what triggers the release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

A

corticotropin releasing hormone

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34
Q

what is the function of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

A

stimulates adrenal cortex to produce and secrete glucocorticoids
leads to increase in blood levels of nutrient molecules (glucose, glycerol, fatty acids, amino acids

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35
Q

what is the function of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

A

stimulates normal development and secretory activity of thyroid gland
stimulates the production of thyroid hormones via second messenger systems

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36
Q

how is TSH release regulated

A

TSH is released in response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)
inhibited in response to rising blood levels of thyroid hormones to block to release of TSH
negative feedback

37
Q

where is growth hormone (GH) produced

A

anterior lobe of the pituitary gland by the somatotropic cells

38
Q

what hormone regulates the growth hormone

A

growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)

growth hormone inhibiting hormone (GHIH)

39
Q

what is the action of growth hormone

A

stimulates the liver, skeletal muscle, bone, and cartilage to produce insulin-like growth factors
increases breakdown of fats and glycogen stores for fuel

40
Q

what pathology can occur with hypersecretion of growth hormone in children

A

gigantism

due to excessive GH secreted before epiphyseal plate closure

41
Q

what pathology is common with hypersecretion of GH in adults

A

acromegaly
excessive GH secretion after epiphyseal plates close
can be seen in nose, jaw, internal organs, supraorbital ridge, hands, feet

42
Q

what common pathology can result from excessive growth hormone release in all ages

A

hyperglycemia, can lead to diabetes

43
Q

what pathology is common with hyposecretion of growth hormone

A

pituitary dwarfism

can be treated with GH injections

44
Q

what is the function of prolactin

A

stimulates milk production

suckling stimulates PRH release

45
Q

how is prolactin (PRL) regulated

A

prolactin-inhibiting hormone (PIH)

46
Q

what is the precursor of thyroid hormone (TH) and is found within the follicles of the thyroid

47
Q

what is the function of the parafollicular cells on the outer edges of the follicles of the thyroid

A

calcitonin

48
Q

what are the 2 iodine-containing compounds found in the thyroid

A

T4 - thyroxine

T3 - triiodothyronine

49
Q

what is the function of the thyroid hormone

A

increases metabolic rate and body heat

plays a role in BP maintenance, tissue growth, development of skeletal/muscle systems, reproduction

50
Q

what is the pathology that occurs with hyposecretion of TH (hypothyroidism) in adults

A

myxedema (lack of iodine)

results in low metabolic rate, chilled, constipation, dry skin, puffy eyes, edema, lethargy, brain fog

51
Q

what is the pathology that occurs with hyposecretion (hypothyroidism) in children

A

cretinism

mental retardation, short, disproportionate body, thick tongue/neck

52
Q

what occurs with hypersecretion of thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism)

A

grave’s disease

elevated metabolic rate, sweating, rapid heartbeat, nervousness, weight loss, exophthalomos

53
Q

where is calcitonin produced

A

parafollicular cells in the thyroid

54
Q

when is calcitonin released and inhibited

A

released in response to high calcium levels
inhibited by low blood calcium levels
negative feedback

55
Q

what is the function of calcitonin

A

targets skeleton to inhibit osteoclasts

stimulated calcium uptake and deposition to bone

56
Q

what hormone is the most important hormone in calcium homeostasis

A

parathyroid hormone (PTH)

57
Q

what is the function of PTH

A

stimulated bone reabsorption
activates osteoclasts
increases calcium and phosphate levels in the blood

58
Q

where are the parathyroid glands located, what do they secrete

A

4-8 tiny glands on the posterior thyroid

secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH)

59
Q

what occurs during hyperparathyroidism

A

bones soften and deform

elevated blood calcium levels depress the nervous system, leads to kidney stones

60
Q

what symptoms occur during hypoparathyroidism

A

increased excitability of muscles due to element imbalances

can lead to tetany (muscle spasms), respiratory imbalances, and possible death

61
Q

define ricketts

A

childhood bone deformation due to demineralization

due to calcium, phosphate, and vitamin D deficiency

62
Q

what is the function of adrenal glands

A

help body cope with stressful situations

63
Q

describe the adrenal cortex

A

outer layer of adrenal gland

glandular tissue that synthesizes and secretes corticosteroids

64
Q

describe the adrenal medulla

A

inner portion of adrenal gland

nervous tissue, part of sympathetic nervous system

65
Q

what layer of the adrenal cortex produces aldosterone

A

zona glomerulosa

66
Q

what layer of the adrenal cortex produces cortisol/hydrocortisone

A

zona fasciculata

67
Q

what layer of the adrenal cortex produces androgens

A

zona reticularis

68
Q

what hormone is the most potent mineralcorticoid

A

aldosterone

69
Q

what is the function of mineralcorticoids

A

regulate electrolytes (sodium, potassium) in the extracellular fluid

70
Q

what is the function of aldosterone

A

stimulates sodium reabsoprtion and water retention by kidneys

71
Q

what is the function of glucocorticoids

A

maintains constant blood sugar levels
maintains BP by controlling vasoconstrictors
major group released in stress (trauma, infection, illness, temp change, mental stress)

72
Q

what is the most significant glucocorticoid

73
Q

when is cortisol released

A

released in response to ACTH

patterns of eating, activity, stress

74
Q

what is the function of cortisol

A

promotes gluconeogenesis

promotes rises in blood glucose, fatty acids, amino acids

75
Q

what is the main gonadocorticoids

76
Q

what do androgens contribute to

A

onset of puberty
appearance of secondary sex characteristics
sex drive in females

77
Q

describe acinar cells in the pancreas

A

exocrine cells

produce juice for digestion

78
Q

describe pancreatic islets/islets of langerhans

A

contain endovrine cells

contain alpha, beta, gamma cells

79
Q

what is the function of alpha cells

A

produce glucagon

80
Q

what is the function of beta cells

A

produce insulin

81
Q

what is the function of gamma cells

A

secrete somatostatin

82
Q

when is glucagon released

A 
when blood glucose level is low
stimulates glycogenolysis (breakdown of glycogen to glucose)
83
Q

when is insulin released

A

blood sugar is too high

stimulates the transfer of glucose from the blood stream into the cells

84
Q

what is the function of estrogens

A

maturation of the reproductive organs
apperance of secondary sexual characteristics
thickening of uterus in preparation for pregnancy

85
Q

wht is the function of progesterone

A

breast development

menstrual cycle

86
Q

what is the fucntion of testosterone

A

initiates maturation of male reproductive organs
appearance of secondary sexual characteristics and sex drive
necessary for sperm production
maintains reproductive organs in their functional state

87
Q

describe the thymus

A

located deep to the sternum
large in children, but shrinks with age
essential for T cell development
part of the immune response

88
Q

what hormones are produced in the kidneys, what are their functions

A

erythropoetin: stimulates RBC production
renin: returns blood presssure to normal

89
Q

what is the function of leptin, where is it released

A

suppressses appetite

released from adipose tissue

Clinical Anatomy (14 decks)

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