Endocrine System Flashcards
biochemical communication network of small glands regulating a broad range of vital body activities
endocrine system purpose
Name endocrine glands
pituitary, adrenal, thyroid, parathyroid
inadequate secretion of hormones
hypoactive endocrine
excess production of hormones
hyperactive endocrine
acts as a thermostat, when a sufficient amount of hormone is detected in blood, production stops and when levels drop new hormones are released
negative feedback mechanism
the production of two different hormones working opposite to one another such as insulin releasing to reduce blood sugar levels and glucagon released to raise glucose levels
hormone balance
released to reduce blood sugar levels
insulin
released to raise blood glucose levels
glucagon
sits on top of the kidneys, consists of a cortex and inner medulla
adrenal glands
what do adrenal glands secrete
mineralocotoids, glucosteroids, adrogens
regulates salt and water balance by controlling the retention of sodium and excretion of the potassium
mineralocoroids (aldosterone)
regulates carbohydrate metabolism
glucosteroids (cortisone)
masculinize the body, retains amino acids and increases protein synthesis
adrogens (sex hormones)
excess production of glucosteroid hormones mobilizing lipids and increases lipids in blood levels
Cushings syndrome
characterized by obesity of trunk, moon shaped face, and large fat pad behind the shoulders (Buffalo bump)
Cushings syndrome
attributed to generalized bilateral hyperplasia of the adrenal cortex or the result of a functional adrenal or non adrenal tumor
Cushings syndrome
manifests as enlargement of the adrenal gland, produces changes in multiple systems such as diffuse osteoporosis, collapse of vertebral bodies, spontaneous fractures, and septic necrosis of the head of the femur or humerus
Cushings syndrome
an overproduction of mineralocortcoid hormones produced by the most superficial layer of the adrenal cortex that causes retention of sodium and water and loss of potassium in the urine
aldosteronism
results in hypertension, muscular weakness or paralysis, and excessive thirst (polydipsia)
aldosteronism
attributable to an adrenocortical ademona (Conn’s syndrome), bilateral hyperplasia of the superficial cortical layer, renin secreting tumors, renal artery stenosis, malignant hypertension or bilateral chronic renal disease
aldosteronism
results from the excessive secretion of androgenically active substance of the adrenal gland, also known as adrenal virilism
adrenogenital syndrome
excessive androgenic hormones causes continuous ACTH stimulation and bilateral hyperplasia, accelerated maturation and premature epiphyseal fusion leading to dwarfism
adrenogenital syndrome
adrenal insufficiency characterized by anorexia, fatigue, weakness, weight loss, and increased melanin pigmentation
chronic hypoadrenalism
adrenal insufficiency characterized by hypotension, rapid pulse, vomiting and diarrhea
acute hypoadrenalism
primary adrenocortical insufficiency that results from progressive cortical destruction, must include 90% of the glands before clinical signs appear
Addison’s disease
about half of adrenal carcinomas cause
cushings syndrome, virilization, feminization, or aldosteronism
modality used to demonstrate complex tumors that may be difficult to separate from upper pole of the kidney
ultrasound
radiographically categorized as metastatis causing downward displacement of the kidney with flattening of the upper pole
adrenal metastasis
a tumor arising from the adrenal medulla, produces an excess of vasopressor substances (epinephrine and norepinephrine), can cause an uncommon form of hypertension
phenochromocytoma
highly malignant tumor of adrenal medulla origin, second most common malignancy
neuroblastoma
master gland, size of a pea, suspended from the base of the brain by a slender stalk (infundiblum) and sits in sella turcica
pituitary gland
controls the secretions of the pituitary gland
hypothalamus
secretes growth hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone, ACTH, and sex hormones
anterior lobe of pituitary gland
produces vasopressin (ADH) and oxytocin
posterior lobe of pituitary gland
increases the rate of reabsorption of water and electrolytes by the renal tubules, decreasing urine output
ADH
causes contractions of smooth muscle especially uterus and increases contractions during labor
oxytocin
hormone that regulates menses and production of milk during pregnancy
lutenizing hormone
excessive production of growth hormone as a result of tumor or generalized hyperplasia of the anterior lobe, results in gigantism and acromegaly
hyperpituitarism
profound generalized disturbances in bone growth and maturation due to malfunction of the pituitary gland, causes dwarfism in children
hypopituitarism
impaired ability of kidneys to conserve water as a result of low blood levels of ADH or when kidneys fail to respond to ADH, excessive water loss results in polydipsia (excessive thirst)
diabetes insipidus
severe polyuria can lead to
massive dilation of the renal pelves, calyces, and ureters
butterfly shaped gland at the level of the larynx, stimulates cellular metabolism to meet the needs of body for energy production
thyroid gland
excessive production of thyroid hormone by entire gland (Grave’s disease) or from a functioning adenoma
hyperthyroidism
which population is most commonly effected by Graves disease
women 30-40 years
disease characterized by nervousness, emotional lability inability to sleep, tremors, palpitations, rapid pulse, sweating, and exophthalmos (PROTRUDING EYES) resulting from thickening of extraoccular muscles
hyperthyroidism
insufficient synthesis of thyroid hormone as a result of structural or functional abnormality
hypothyroidism
short stature, coarse features with protruding tongue, flattened nose, wide set eyes, sparse hair, dry skin, and protruding abdomen with umbilical hernia
hypothyroidism at birth (cretinism)
characterized by lethargy, excessive sleeping, constipation, cold intolerance, slowing intellectual and motor activity, stiff achy muscles, hoarse voice, skin thickening, and thickening of facial features
hypothyroidism in adults
in children, delay of ossification, retarded bone age, thickening of cranial vault, underpneumatization of sinuses and mastoid air cells, widened sutures with delayed closure, delay in eruption of teeth
hypothyroidism in children
in adults, enlarged heart as a result of pericardial effusion, soft tissue thickening seen on extremities and adynamic ileus
hypothyroidism in adults
non-inflammatory enlargement of the thyroid gland
goiter
results from impairment of thyroid to secrete hormones, low blood levels stimulate secretion of TSH from pituitary causing thyroid to enlarge
non-toxic goiter
in the past, caused by an iodine lacking diet
goiter
appears as an asymmetrical enlargement of the thyroid
goiter
encapsulated tumor, may compress trachea or extend into the substernally and appear in the superior region of the mediastinum
benign thyroid adenoma
radiographically characterized by calcifications appear in mass, appear as hot or cold spots on nuc med scan, US usually demonstrates a thick and smooth peripheral hypoechoic halo from fibrous capsule and blood vessels
benign thyroid adenoma
3 major types of thyroid carcinoma
papillary, follicular, medullary
most common thyroid carcinoma, peaks in adolescence and later in life, slow growing cystic tumor that spreads to regional lymph nodes where it may remain dormant for years
papillary carcinoma
closely mimics thyroid tissue, 75% of cases are women over 40, usually undergoes hematogeneous spread to lung and bone
follicular carcinoma
rare thyroid carcinoma, appears with multiple endocrine tumors, dense and amorphous calcifications within tumor, spreads via lymphatic channels
medullary carcinoma
on nuclear medicine, appears as a solitary COLD nodule corresponding to palpable mass
thyroid carcinomas
4 tiny glands, 2 on each side that lie behind the upper and lower poles of thyroid gland
parathyroid glands
secrete PTH (parathormone) which is responsible for regulating blood levels of calcium and phosphate
parathyroid glands
excessive secretion of parathormone leading to generalized calcium, phosphate and bone metabolism resulting in elevated serum values of calcium and phosphate
hyperparathyroidism
hyperparathydroidism may be caused by an adenoma, carcinoma, or hyperplasia
primary hyperparathyroidism
hyperparathydroidism may cause chronic renal failure
secondary hyperparathyroidism
hyperparathydroidism may be caused by development of autonomous functioning of parathyroid glands with bone disease with chemically controlled renal disease
tertiary parathyroidism
radiographically characterized by osteosclerosis, rarer are focal areas of bone destruction (Brown Tumors) seen as changes from subperiosteal bone resorption
hyperparathyroidism
have a “ground glass” appearance or brown tumors
hyperparathyroidism
insufficient parathormone that causes sustained muscular contractions, muscle cramps, numbness and tingling of extremities, spasm of laryngeal muscles resulting in respiratory obstruction
hypoparathyroidism
hereditary disorder with a failure of normal end-organ response to levels of circulating parathormone
pseudoparathyroidism
characterized by obesity, short stature, round faces, opacities in the cornea, short fingers and mental retardation
pseudoparathyroidism
refers to the presence of similar skeletal anomalies as family members in the absence of biochemical disturbances
pseudopseudoparathyroidism
radiographically appears as shortening of tubular bones of the hands and feet (especially the 4th and 5th metacarpals) and calcific or bony deposits in the skin and subcutaneous tissues
pseudoparathyroidism
common endocrine disorder when beta cells in the Isle of Langerhorns of the pancreas fail to secrete insulin or target cells throughout the body fail to respond to insulin, often hereditary
diabetes mellitus
high levels of glucose
hyperglycemia
major complication of diabetes mellitus
build up of lipids within the walls of blood vessels (artherosclerosis) resulting in occlusion, stroke, gangrene and systemic infections, kidney failure
most common cause of death for people with diabetes mellitus
kidney failure
