Endocrine system Flashcards

Question

Adrenal glands: consist of two parts, what secretes what?

Answer 1

Adrenal medulla releases - Adrenaline - Noradrenaline Adrenal cortex secretes - Mineralocorticoids (aldosterone) - Glucocorticoids (cortisol) - Sex hormones (testosterone

Answer 2

Part of autonomic nervous system Spherical chromaffin cells are modified postganglionic sympathetic neurons Amine hormones Fight and flight response Vesicles store the hormones

Answer 3

Primary- Intrinsic failure of the adrenal gland resulting in inability to produce cortisol and/or aldosterone (Addison’s Disease); Surgical removal of adrenal gland ACTH may be high Secondary – Due to disease of the hypothalamus and/or pituitary gland; prolonged steroid use; ACTH may be low Secondary cause of adrenal insufficiency- TB, AIDS, bleeding in adrenal gland, amyloidosis, surgical removal of adrenal gland, certain treatment used for Cushing’s syndrome.

Answer 4

About 95% of cancers of the exocrine pancreas are adenocarcinomas. These cancers usually start in the ducts of the pancreas. About 10%, if caught early, are disease free after treatment The most aggressive of all cancers, 53% of patients at diagnosis also have metastatic spread The early-portal phase is also called the pancreatic phase. It has a scan-delay of 40-50 sec. Water as contrast. This is the most important phase for detecting and staging a pancreatic tumour. At that moment the normal pancreatic parenchyma will enhance optimally, because it gets all of its bloodsupply through the arterial and capillary system. In this phase there is optimal attenuation difference between the hypoattenuating tumour and the normal enhancing pancreatic parenchyma.

Answer 5

Acromegaly --- Addison's disease --- Cretinism Cushing’s syndrome --- Diabetes insipidus Diabetes mellitus --- Pheochromocytoma -- Dwarfism Gigantism Graves’ disease --- Hyperparathyroidism --- Hypoglycemia -- Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIAD) Virilism

Answer 6

Type 1 This is where the pancreas fails to produce insulin due to the loss of beta cells Glucose levels remain high in the blood Diabetes Type I: Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) - Results from destruction of the insulin producing β cells in the pancreas. - Peak onset in ages 11 and 13 (Juvenile onset diabetes); very rare occur after the age of 30. - Aetiology: may be viral, environmental, and/or genetic. - Symptom onset abrupt - Prone to Ketoacidosis Type 2 This is when the cells fail to respond to insulin properly Glucose is not able to be utilised by cells despite hyperglycaemia Diabetes type II: - May have normal insulin levels and/or β cells. - Characterised by poor utilisation of insulin - Generally occurs over 40 years of age and accounts for majority of cases (Obesity may change the age of disease onset).

Answer 7

Accelerated atherosclerosis with medial calcification Microvascular disease; abnormal function of capillary basement membrane leading to: Nephropathy Retinopathy Diabetic neuropathy; autonomic dysfunction; demyelination abnormalities of Schwann’s cells

Answer 8

Nephropathy is the deterioration of kidney function. The final stage of nephropathy is called kidney failure, end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Answer 9

Retinopathy means disease of the retina. There are several types of retinopathy but all involve disease of the small retinal blood vessels. Signs of retinopathy can be seen when the retina is viewed through the pupil with an ophthalmoscope.

Answer 10

Due to nerve damage and poor circulation Nerve damage – loss of feeling in feet so may not feel shoes rubbing, may not feel hot and cold... Cause sores on the feet that can become infected. When blood glucose is high, the extra glucose feeds the infection and so it worsens. Poor blood flow means not enough blood flow can get to an area to aid healing of a sore. If the infection doesn’t heal it can become gangrenous. Skin and tissue around the sore dies and becomes black and smelly. If bone becomes infected also, get osteomyelitis.

Answer 11

Classic symptoms Weight loss Polyuria (increased urination) Polydipsia (increased thirst) Polyhagia (increased hunger) Other symptoms Blurred vision Headache Fatigue Slow healing of cuts Itchy skin Skin rashes

Answer 12

This is a fall in blood glucose concentrations It has an affect on the function of the central nervous system There are two causes, Spontaneous: alimentary, early diabetes, idiopathic hypoglycaemia, fasting, islet-cell tumor, extrapancreatic neoplasms or hepatic disease Induced: insulin induced, oral hypoglycemic agents or alcohol

Answer 13

Sudden symptoms Excessive sweating (Diaphoresis), Pallor Tremor Tachycardia, palpitations Visual disturbances Mental confusion, weakness Gradual symptoms Fatigue Confusion Headache Memory loss Seizures, coma

Answer 14

A rare tumor of the adrenal gland tissue which results in the release of to much epinephrine and norepinephrine the hormones that control heart rate, metabolism and blood pressure. Can occur as a single tumor or multiple Very few are cancerous Can occur at any age, most common in early to mid adulthood. Can be hereditary Phaochromocytomas secrete adrenaline in an uncontrolled fashion and can cause problems including stroke, heart attack, and even death. Orthostatic hypotension – Postural….drop in blood pressure when moving from sitting/lying to standing. Catecholamine release – tumour causes adrenals to release excess hormones – adrenaline (epinephrine) etc

Answer 15

Orthostatic hypotension – Postural….drop in blood pressure when moving from sitting/lying to standing.

Answer 16

Classic symptoms Headaches Heart palpitations Sweating High blood pressure Other symptoms Abdominal or chest pain Irritability, nervousness Pallor Weight loss Nausea and vomiting Shortness of breath Seizures Problems sleeping.

Answer 17

Tests done may include: Abdominal CT scan, Adrenal biopsy, Catecholamines blood test (serum catecholamines), Glucose test, Metanephrine blood test (serum metanephrine) An imaging test called an MIBG scintiscan, MRI of abdomen, Urine catecholamines, Urine metanephrines, PET scan of abdomen Treatment involves removing the tumor with surgery however it is important to stabilize the blood pressure and pulse with medication before surgery.

Answer 18

With Addison's disease the adrenal glands are underactive This results in a deficiency of adrenal hormones, cortisol and/or aldosterone Can be caused by an autoimmune reaction causing the bodies immune system to attack and destroy the adrenal cortex, cancer or infection such as TB along with other reasons It also affects the balance of water, sodium and potassium, as well as the ability to control blood pressure. As there is a low level of cortisol, a feedback loop increases levels of ACTH being released, this excess ACTH stimulates melanocyte production in the skin which then causes hyperpigmentation

Answer 19

Loss of appetite Unintentional weight loss Hypoglycaemia Hypotension Lack of tolerance to stress Dizzy when standing Dark skin patches Weakness Hyperpigmentation of hands Chest x-ray may show surprise changes due to increased potassium levels and low blood pressure/high heart rate – so we may see unusual fluid collections like pulmonary oedema.

Answer 20

A condition caused by having to much (hypersecretion) cortisol It is uncommon, mostly affecting those that take prolonged steroids as these are a man made version of cortisol Can also be caused by: Increased secretion of ACTH Pituitary tumor Lung tumor Adrenal cancer CT or MRI of the pituitary gland and adrenal glands is usually requested to see if there is an adenoma which is causing an excess production of ACTH and therefore cortisol... That may be the cause of Cushing’s.

Answer 21

Moon shaped face Weight gain around the trunk Buffalo hump Water retention Spindly legs (due to muscle wasting) Red stretch marks on the abdomen Increase in blood pressure Increase in blood sugar level Osteoporosis Causes Insulin resistance and diabetes Mellitus Reduce the ability of wound healing Swollen ankle Hirsutism Purple Strias on the abdomen

Answer 22

A rare condition where the parathyroid glands produce too little parathyroid hormone Causing the blood calcium levels fall (hypocalcaemia) Causing the phosphorus levels to rise (hyperphosphataemia) Caused by, autoimmune conditions such as Addison's disease, born without parathyroid glands, radiotherapy and low blood magnesium levels because of alcohol misuse

Answer 23

Thyroid gland Two lobes in the anterior neck on either side of the trachea below the thyroid cartilage Parathyroid 2 pairs located behind the thyroid gland and releases PTH hormone

Answer 24

A number of factors can cause an enlarge gland aka goitre to occur. Among the most common are: Iodine deficiency – Iodine is essential for the production of thyroid hormones. A goitre can occur when the thyroid enlarges in an effort to obtain more iodine. The initial iodine deficiency may be made even worse by a diet high in hormone-inhibiting foods, such as cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower. Graves' disease – Goitre can sometimes occur when your thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism). In Graves' disease, antibodies produced by your immune system mistakenly attack your thyroid gland, causing it to produce excess thyroxine T4. This overstimulation causes the thyroid to swell. Hashimoto's disease – Goitre can result from an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). Also an autoimmune disorder but instead of causing the thyroid to produce too much hormone, Hashimoto's damages your thyroid so that it produces too little. Sensing a low hormone level, your pituitary gland produces more TSH to stimulate the thyroid, which then causes the gland to enlarge.

Answer 25

Thyroid gland produces two main hormones — thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) Help regulate metabolism – the rate at which your body uses fats and carbohydrates, controls your body temperature, heart rate, and production of proteins. Produces calcitonin — a hormone that helps regulate the amount of calcium in your blood. Your pituitary gland and hypothalamus control the rate at which these hormones are produced and released. When it's enlarged, i.e. goitre, the thyroid may produce normal amounts of hormones. It might also, however, produce too much or too little T4 and T3.

Answer 26

Tingling sensation in fingers, toes and lips Twitching facial muscles Muscle pains or cramps in legs, feet or abdomen Tiredness Mood changes, irritability Anxious or depression Dry, rough skin Course hair that breaks easily Weak fingernails

Answer 27

A goitre is an abnormal swelling of the thyroid gland that causes a lump to form in the neck.

Answer 28

Graves’ disease is a leading cause of hyperthyroidism. This causes the immune system to send antibodies to thyroid gland. The antibodies stimulate the thyroid gland, causing an increased amount of thyroid hormones to be released.

Answer 29

Acromegaly Hormonal disorder which develops when the pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone during adulthood. The bones increase in size particularly the hands, feet and facial bones. Usually diagnosed in adults aged 30 – 50 If develops before puberty it is then known as gigantism

Answer 30

Large spade-like fleshy hands in acromegaly compared to normal hands on left Swollen hands and feet Tiredness Difficulty sleeping Gradual changes in your facial features Numbness and weakness in your hands Teenagers will be abnormally tall Other common symptoms as time goes on: Skin changes – thick course oily skin Skin tags or sweating Deepening of the voice due to enlarged sinuses and vocal cords Joint pain Headaches Blurred or reduced vision

Answer 31

make cards about these what they are signs and symps imaging/tests

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Endocrine system Flashcards

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