Endocrine System Flashcards
Gigantism
secretion of growth hormone (somatotropin) before puberty
leads to a proportional overgrowth of all body tissue
anterior pituitary adenoma is often the cause
treatment = surgery with or without radiation to pituitary
Acromegaly
hypersecretion of GH after puberty
overgrowth of the bones of the face, hands, and feet
pituitary tumor or adenoma
treatment = surgery with or without radiation to pituitary
Hypopituitarism
deficiency or absence of any pituitary hormones
marked by metabolic dysfunction, sexual immaturity, or growth retardation
pituitary tumor or tumor of the hypothalamus
treatment = removal of the tumor, therapy with hormonal supplement
Dwarfism
underdevelopment, or hypopituitarism in children
child is extremely short, with a body that is small in proportion
congenital or cranial hemorrhage after birth
treatment = administration of hGH
Diabetes insipidus
disturbance of water metabolism
results in extreme thirst and excessive secretion of dilute urine
hereditary, or result of head trauma
treatment = vasopressin injections, nasal spray, or oral desmopressin acetate
Simple goiter
enlargement of thyroid gland evidenced by swelling in the neck
usually occurs in females
shortage of iodine in the diet
treatment = one drop per week of saturated solution of potassium iodide
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
chronic disease that attacks the thyroid gland
occurs more often in females
main feature is the gradual and painless lumpy enlargement of thyroid gland
cause is unknown, appears to be hereditary
treatment = lifelong replacement of thyroid hormones
Grave’s disease
hyperthyroidism
results in diffuse goiter and overproduction of thyroid hormones
rapid heartbeat, nervousness, loss of hair, protruding eyes
autoimmune response
treatment = antithyroid drugs, radioactive iodine therapy, surgery
Cretinism
congenital hypothyroidism in infancy or early childhood
thyroid is absent, or hormone is not synthesized
causes mental and growth retardation
error in fetal development, antithyroid drugs during pregnancy
treatment = replacement therapy of thyroid hormones
Myxedema
severe acquired hypothyroidism in older child or adult, usually female menorrhagia = skin becomes dry and scaly bloated face, thick tongue due to reduced amounts of thyrotropin treatment = levothyroxine sodium
Thyroid cancer
neoplasm of the thyroid gland
palpation of a nodule on thyroid gland, vocal cord paralysis, obstructive symptoms
more likely in women, diet low in iodine
treatment = surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy
Hyperparathyroidism
overactivity of one or more of the parathyroid glands, results in overproduction of parathyroid hormone
due to excessive growth of glands, low calcium and vitamin D
excessive reabsorption of calcium into the blood
treatment = surgery
Hypoparathyroidism
secretion of parathyroid hormone is greatly reduced
circulating levels of calcium are reduced, excessive deposits of calcium into tissue
most common from surgical destruction
treatment = calcium replacement therapy with vitamin D
Cushing’s disease
chronic hypersecretion of the adrenal cortex, results in excessive circulating cortisol levels
fatigue, muscular weakness, weight gain, glucose intolerance
can occur due to large amounts of glucocorticoids
treatment = surgery, radiation
Addison’s disease
partial or complete failure of adrenocortical function
typical bronze colour, cardiovascular difficulties, agitation, confusion
familial tendencies, secondary to hypopituitarism
treatment = replacement of natural hormones with glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoid
