Endocrine System Flashcards

1
Q

What type of glands and tissues make up the endocrine system?

A

Ductless

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2
Q

What is the function of the endocrine system?

A

To secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream

These hormones then regulate the metabolic activities of different organs and tissues of the body in order to maintain homeostasis

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3
Q

What system does the endocrine system work in conjunction with? Which system exerts a slower more diffuse response?

A

Autonomic nervous system

Endocrine system

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4
Q

What structure coordinates the autonomic and endocrine system?

A

Hypothalamus of the brain

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5
Q

List the seven main endocrine organs

A

Pituitary Gland

Hypothalamus

Thyroid Gland

Parathyroid Gland

Adrenal Gland

Pancreas

Testes/Ovaries

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6
Q

What is the name given to the depression in the skull where the pituitary gland sits?

A

Hypophyseal fossa (sella)

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7
Q

In what cranial bone does the pituitary gland sit in?

A

Sphenoid bone

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8
Q

What air sinus has a close relation to the pituitary gland and hypothalamus? Where is it located in relation?

A

Sphenoid air sinus

Inferiorly

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9
Q

What other two structures lie in close relation to the pituitary gland and hypothalamus?

A

Optic chiasm

Thalamus

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10
Q

Where is the optic chiasm located in relation to the pituitary gland?

A

It lies superior to the pituitary gland

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11
Q

Where is the thalamus located in relation to the hypothalamus?

A

It lies inferior (anterior on cross section) to the hypothalamus

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12
Q

What clinical feature tends to arise when the pituitary gland enlarges? Why?

A

Bitemporal hemianopia

An enlargement of the pituitary gland impinges on the crossing fibres of the optic chiasm

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13
Q

What is bitemporal hemianopia?

A

A condition in which vision is missing in the outer half of both eyes

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14
Q

Which structure connects the pituitary gland to the hypothalamus?

A

The pituitary stalk

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15
Q

What three lobes make up the pituitary gland?

A

Anterior lobe

Intermediate lobe

Posterior lobe

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16
Q

What two other terms are used to refer to the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland?

A

Pars anterior

Adenohypophysis

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17
Q

What two other terms are used to refer to the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland?

A

Pars nervosa

Neurohypophysis

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18
Q

What other term is used to refer to the intermediate lobe of the pituitary gland?

A

Pars intermedia

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19
Q

What does the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland develop from?

A

Brachial arches

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20
Q

What does the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland develop from?

A

It is a continuation of the hypothalamus and pituitary stalk

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21
Q

What ventricle of the brain lies superior to the pituitary gland?

A

Third ventricle

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22
Q

What structure is connected to the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland?

A

Mamillary bodies

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23
Q

Which lobe of the pituitary gland is larger?

A

Anterior lobe

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24
Q

What pituitary gland lobe is glandular and secretes several hormones? How many hormones does it secrete?

A

Anterior lobe

Seven

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25
Q

What pituitary gland lobe is neuroendocrine and secretes several neurohormones?

A

Posterior lobe

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26
Q

What two neurohormones are secreted by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland?

A

Oxytocin

Vasopressin (ADH)

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27
Q

What colour does the anterior pituitary lobe stain with a H&E stain?

A

Dark pink

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28
Q

What colour does the posterior pituitary lobe stain with a H&E stain?

A

Light pink

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29
Q

What three cells make up the pituitary gland?

A

Acidophilic

Basophilic

Chromophobic

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30
Q

What colour do acidophilic cells stain with a H&E stain?

A

Pink

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31
Q

What colour do basophilic cells stain with a H&E stain?

A

Light purple

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32
Q

What colour do chromophobic cells stain with a H&E stain?

A

Pale

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33
Q

What additional cell makes up the posterior pituitary lobe?

A

Non-myelinated axons

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34
Q

Where are the cell bodies of the posterior pituitary lobe axons located?

A

Hypothalamus

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35
Q

What are the two classifications of acidophil cells?

A

Somatrophs

Mammotrophs

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36
Q

What hormone do somatrophs produce? What is the target organ of this hormone?

A

GH

Chondrocytes, which are located within the epiphyseal growth plate

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37
Q

What hormone do mammotrophs produce? What is the target organ of this hormone?

A

Prolactin

Mammary gland

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38
Q

What are the three classifications of basophil cells?

A

Corticotrophs

Thyrotrophs

Gonadotrophs

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39
Q

What two hormones do corticotrophs produce? What is the target organ of each hormone?

A

ACTH - Adrenal gland

MSH - Melanocytes

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40
Q

What hormone do thyrotrophs produce? What is the target organ of this hormone?

A

TSH

Thyroid gland

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41
Q

What two hormones do gonadotrophs produce? What is the target organ of this hormone?

A

FSH - Sex organs

LH - Sex organs

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42
Q

What two arteries supply the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland? What are these arteries a branch of?

A

Superior hypophyseal artery

Inferior hypophyseal artery

Internal carotid artery

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43
Q

What does the superior hypophyseal artery supply?

A

The hypothalamus

Before this artery enters into the hypothalamus, it breaks up into the hypophysial portal system. These capillaries then supply the anterior pituitary lobe

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44
Q

What does the inferior hypophyseal artery supply?

A

The posterior pituitary lobe

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45
Q

How does the hypothalamus communicate with the anterior pituitary?

A

The hypothalamus releases ‘releasing hormones’ into the bloodstream. These hormones enter the anterior pituitary via the pituitary stalk to stimulate the production of other hormones

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46
Q

How does the hypothalamus communicate with the posterior pituitary?

A

The supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei in the hypothalamus secrete neurohormones which then travel down axons. They then terminate in the posterior pituitary lobe

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47
Q

Describe venous drainage of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus

A

They drain via hypophysial veins into the cavernous sinus

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48
Q

What structure is located anteriorly to the thyroid gland?

A

Larynx

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49
Q

What structure is located inferiorly to the thyroid gland?

A

Trachea

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50
Q

At what vertebral level is the thyroid gland located?

A

Between C5 and T1

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51
Q

What two structures is the thyroid gland located between?

A

Circoid cartilage

6th tracheal ring

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52
Q

What is the isthmus of the thyroid gland?

A

The bridge of tissue which connects the two lobes of the thyroid gland

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53
Q

Where does the isthmus lie opposite to?

A

The 2nd and 4th tracheal rings

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54
Q

What two strap muscles overlie the thyroid gland?

A

Sternothyroid muscle

Sternohyoid muscle

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55
Q

What two nerves supply the vocal cords of the larynx?

A

Recurrent laryngeal nerve

Superior laryngeal nerve

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56
Q

Where does the recurrent laryngeal nerve run between?

A

Trachea

Oesophagus

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57
Q

Where does the superior laryngeal nerve run between?

A

Superficial pharyngeal constrictor

Inferior pharyngeal constrictor

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58
Q

What is the superior laryngeal nerve a branch of?

A

The vagus nerve

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59
Q

What two arteries supply the thyroid gland?

A

Superior thyroid artery

Inferior thyroid artery

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60
Q

What is the superior thyroid artery a branch of?

A

Common carotid artery

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61
Q

What is the inferior thyroid artery a branch of?

A

Subclavian artery

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62
Q

What three veins drain the thyroid gland?

A

Superior thyroid vein

Middle thyroid vein

Inferior thyroid vein

63
Q

What vein does the superior thyroid vein drain into?

A

Internal jugular vein

64
Q

What vein does the middle thyroid vein drain into?

A

Internal jugular vein

65
Q

What vein does the inferior thyroid vein drain into?

A

Braciocephalic vein

66
Q

Where are hormones stored in the thyroid gland?

A

The cavities of follicles

67
Q

What type of cells line the thyroid gland follicles?

A

Simple, cuboidal, non-stratified epithelial cells

68
Q

What are thyroid hormones bound to when they are stored within the thyroid gland? What is this collective structure referred to as?

A

Glycoproteins

Colloid

69
Q

What colour do colloids stain on an H&E stain?

A

Light pink

70
Q

What type of cells are c-cells in the thyroid gland?

A

Neuroendocrine cells

71
Q

What is another name for c-cells?

A

Parafollicular cells

72
Q

What hormone do c-cells secrete?

A

Calcitonin

73
Q

What are the three hormones secreted by the thyroid gland?

A

T3

T4

Calcitonin

74
Q

Where are the parathyroid glands located?

A

They lie on the lateral aspect of the posterior surface of each thyroid lobe, external to the thyroid fibrous capsule

75
Q

How many parathyroid glands are there?

A

Four

76
Q

What separates the parathyroid glands from the thyroid gland?

A

Thin fibrous capsule

77
Q

What level are the superior parathyroid gland located?

A

The inferior border of the circoid cartilage

78
Q

What level are the inferior parathyroid gland located?

A

The inferior poles of the thyroid

79
Q

What artery supplies the parathyroid glands?

A

Inferior thyroid arteries

80
Q

What two veins drains the parathyroid glands? What vein do these veins drain into?

A

Superior thyroid veins

Middle thyroid veins

Internal jugular vein

81
Q

What two cells make up the parathyroid gland?

A

Chief cells

Oxyphil cells

82
Q

What cells mainly make up the parathyroid gland and stain darker on an H&E stain?

A

Chief cells

83
Q

What hormone is secreted by the parathyroid gland?

A

Parathyroid hormone (PTH)

84
Q

What is the function of PTH?

A

It removes calcium from bone and releases it into blood

85
Q

What is another name for the adrenal glands?

A

Suprarenal glands

86
Q

Where are the adrenal glands located?

A

At the upper pole of each kidney

87
Q

How are the adrenal glands separated from the kidney?

A

Fat and capsule

88
Q

How are the adrenal glands peritonised?

A

Retroperitoneal

89
Q

What are the two components of the adrenal glands?

A

Outer cortex

Inner medulla

90
Q

What embryological structure does the cortex of the adrenal gland arise from?

A

Mesodermal epithelium

91
Q

What embryological structure does the medulla of the adrenal gland arise from?

A

Neuroectoderm

92
Q

What three arteries supply the adrenal gland?

A

Superior suprarenal arteries

Middle suprarenal arteries

Inferior suprarenal arteries

93
Q

What arteries give rise to the superior suprarenal arteries?

A

Inferior phrenic arteries

94
Q

What artery give rise to the middle suprarenal arteries?

A

Aorta

95
Q

What arteries give rise to the inferior suprarenal arteries?

A

Renal arteries

96
Q

What vein drains the adrenal glands?

A

Suprarenal vein

97
Q

How many suprarenal veins are there?

A

One

98
Q

What does the suprarenal vein drain into on the right side?

A

Inferior vena cava

99
Q

What does the suprarenal vein drain into on the left side?

A

Left renal vein, which then drains into the inferior vena cava

100
Q

What are the three zones of the adrenal gland cortex?

A

Zona glomerulosa

Zona fasciculata

Zona reticularis

101
Q

What is the outer zone of the adrenal gland?

A

Zona glomerulosa

102
Q

What is the middle zone of the adrenal gland?

A

Zona fasciculata

103
Q

What is the inner zone of the adrenal gland?

A

Zona reticulares

104
Q

What cells are found within the adrenal medulla? What is their function?

A

Chromaffin cells

They secrete adrenalin and noradrenalin

105
Q

What group of hormones does the zona glomerulosa produce? Name a hormone

A

Mineralcorticoids

Aldosterone

106
Q

What group of hormones does the zona fasciculata produce? Name a hormone

A

Glucocorticosteroids

Cortisol

107
Q

What group of hormones does the zona reticularis produce? Name a hormone

A

Androgens

Testosterone

108
Q

How is the pancreas peritonised?

A

Retroperitonised - except tail

109
Q

What is the pancreas connected to on the right hand side of the body?

A

Duodenum

110
Q

What is the pancreas connected to on the left hand side of the body?

A

Spleen

111
Q

Name the five sections of the pancreas

A

Head

Neck

Body

Tail

Uncinate process

112
Q

What is the transpyloric plane?

A

An imaginary plane located at L1

113
Q

What do the arteries of the pancreas derive from?

A

Splenic artery

Gastroduodenal artery

Superior mesenteric artery

114
Q

What vein related to the pancreas is found at level of the transpyloric plane?

A

Splenic vein

115
Q

What is the exocrine part of the pancreas?

A

The pancreatic acini

116
Q

What is the endocrine part of the pancreas?

A

The Islets of Langerhans

117
Q

What are the five types of cells found in the Islet of Langerhans?

A

Alpha cells

Beta cells

Delta cells

Pp cells

Epsilon cells

118
Q

What do alpha cells of the Islet of Langerhan secrete?

A

Glucagon

119
Q

What do beta cells of the Islet of Langerhan secrete?

A

Insulin

120
Q

What do delta cells of the Islet of Langerhan secrete?

A

Somatostatin

121
Q

What do Pp cells of the Islet of Langerhan secrete?

A

Pancreatic polypeptide

122
Q

What do epsilon cells of the Islet of Langerhan secrete?

A

Ghrelin

123
Q

What is another name for the pituitary stalk?

A

Infundibulum

124
Q

How do we access the pituitary gland for surgical procedures?

A

Sphenoid air sinus

125
Q

Which pituitary lobe is the mamillary body attached to?

A

Posterior

126
Q

Which pituitary lobe is the optic chiasm attached to?

A

Anterior

127
Q

Which large artery runs near the pituitary stalk?

A

Internal carotid artery

128
Q

Which bone is closely located to the thyroid gland?

A

Hyoid bone

129
Q

What does the aortic arch divide into on the right hand side?

A

Braciocephalic artery

130
Q

What are the two divisions of the brachiocephalic trunk?

A

Right subclavian

Right common carotid

131
Q

What does the aortic arch divide into on the left hand side?

A

Left subclavian

Left common carotid

132
Q

Where does the sternohyoid muscle arise and attach to?

A

Sternum

Hyoid bone

133
Q

Where does the sternothyroid muscle arise and attach to?

A

Sternum

Thyroid cartilage

134
Q

Which compartment of the neck does the thyroid gland sit in?

A

Visceral compartment

135
Q

Which artery lies anteriorly - superior thyroid artery or inferior thyroid artery?

A

Superior thyroid artery

136
Q

Which artery lies posteriorly - superior thyroid artery or inferior thyroid artery?

A

Inferior thyroid artery

137
Q

What are the two divisions of the superior laryngeal nerve?

A

External laryngeal nerve

Internal laryngeal nerve

138
Q

Where membrane does the internal laryngeal nerve pass through?

A

Thyrohyoid membrane

139
Q

Where is the external laryngeal nerve located?

A

On the surface of the thyroid gland

140
Q

What is the function of the internal laryngeal nerve?

A

Sensory innervation to the epiglottis

141
Q

What is the function of the external laryngeal nerve?

A

Sensory innervation to the circothyroid muscle

142
Q

Which nerve is closely associated with the superior thyroid artery?

A

Superior laryngeal nerve

143
Q

What happens if the external laryngeal nerve is accidentally ligated during superior thyroid artery ligation?

A

No sensory innervation to circothyroid muscle, so hoarse voice

144
Q

What is the function of the recurrent laryngeal nerve?

A

Sensory innervation to the vocal cord muscles, except circothyroid muscle

145
Q

What does the recurrent laryngeal nerve hook around on the left hand side?

A

Aortic arch

146
Q

What does the recurrent laryngeal nerve hook around on the right hand side?

A

Subclavian artery

147
Q

What happens if the recurrent laryngeal nerve is accidentally ligated during inferior thyroid artery ligation?

A

No sensory innervation to the vocal cord muscles, except circothyroid muscle

This means that the vocal cord on the affected side will be adducted

Stridor

148
Q

Are the parathyroid glands visualised on specimens?

A

No

149
Q

What vein follows the same drainage pattern as the suprarenal veins (left - renal, vein, right - IVC)?

A

Gonadal veins

150
Q

Which vessels lie posterior to the pancreas?

A

Splenic artery

151
Q

Between which two pancreas compartments does the SMA arise?

A

Neck and unicate process

152
Q

Which organ lies anterior to the pancreas?

A

Stomach

153
Q

What sac lies anterior to the pancreas?

A

Lesser sac of the stomach