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MIDW1002 A&P exam > Endocrine system > Flashcards

Endocrine system Flashcards

1
Q

What does the endocrine system do?

A

Produces hormones in endocrine glands scattered around the body and in endocrine cells throughout the body. These hormones diffuse into the blood stream where they are transported to target organs and alter function.

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2
Q

Describe the location and function of the hypothalamus

A

Located in the brain a small area beneath two lobes of the thalamus. controls most endocrine functioning through the pituitary gland by releasing hormones that act on the pituitary gland. It produces its own hormones in the specialised nerves - the neuroendocrine cells which are transported rapidly to the anterior love of the pituitary by the pituitary portal system.

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3
Q

Describe the location and function of the pituitary gland

A

Situated at the base of the brain. Anterior and posterior lobes. Secretes hormones responsible for the homeostasis of many organs in the body. Physically connected to the hypothalamus by the pituitary stalk.

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4
Q

What is the function of the pineal gland?

A

Involved in the body’s biorhythms. Located in the brain. Melatonin secreted here.
10mm in size
Attached to the roof of third ventricle in the brain
Many sympathetic nerve pathways terminate here
Physiological function of the gland is not understood
?? Inhibits gonadotrophin with the timing of puberty

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5
Q

What is the function of the thyroid gland?

A

Influence metabolic activity
Situated in front of the larynx and trachea
Very vascular
Secretes thyroxine, triiodothyronine, calcitonin
T’s have an effect on basal metabolic rate, metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and proteins and the normal functioning of cardiac, nervous and reproductive systems
Calcitonin secreted in response to high levels of calcium and phosphate in the blood, controls levels alongside parathyroid glands

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6
Q

What is the function of the parathyroid gland?

A

Involved in the homeostasis of blood calcium and phosphate levels
Secreted parathyroid hormone (works with calcitonin)
Antagonist to calcitonin: it releases calcium and phosphate form bone and decreases secretion from the kidneys when blood levels of these mineral are low
Also promotes formation of calcitriol in the kidneys which absorbs calcium form the gastrointestinal tract

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7
Q

What is the function of the thymus gland?

A

Release hormones related to the immune system. Activates lymphocytes. Does this by secreting thymopoietin and thymosins.

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8
Q

What are the functions of the two adrenal glands?

A

Involved in autonomic nervous system responses and renal functions. Situated on superior pole on the kidneys. Consists of adrenal cortex and medulla which both have different functions.

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9
Q

Where are endocrine cells situated?

A

Situated in organs such as ovaries and testes, placenta, pancreas and digestive system

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10
Q

Discuss the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland

A

The adenohypophysis produces hormones that have a variety of functions. Anterior pituitary hormones are released in response to the action of the hypothalamus. 6 hormones realised by anterior pituitary are - gonadotrophins, prolactin, growth hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone, adrenocorticotrophic hormone, melanocyte stimulating hormone.

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11
Q

Describe the functions of gonadotrophins

A

Released in response to GnRH from the hypothalamus. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is a gonadotrophin released in the female after puberty to stimulate ovary prdouction. LH is produced to trigger ovulation and maintain the corpus luteum in the ovary. In the male FSH creates sperm and LH is involved in the production of testosterone.

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12
Q

Discuss the production of prolactin

A

Produced in the puerperium to initiate and maintain the production of breast milk in response to signals from the hypothalamus

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13
Q

Describe the function of growth hormone

A

Produced in response to growth hormone release hormone (GHRH) form the hypothalamus.
Stimulates the growth of many tissues and organs in the body such as bones, muscles,mother kindness and liver

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14
Q

Describe the function of thyroid stimulating hormone

A

Affects the development and production of hormones by the thyroid gland.
Released in response to thyrotrophin relaxing hormone

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15
Q

Describe the function of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)

A

Released in response to corticotrophin releasing hormone from the hypothalamus
Stimulates blood flow to the adrenal glands and the production of steroids

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16
Q

Describe the function of melanocyte stimulating hormone

A

Affects skin pigmentation

MSH also released in reaction to corticotrophin releasing hormone

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17
Q

Describe the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland

A

The neurohypophysis
Composed of specialised secretory cells and nerve fibres
Two hormones secreted from posterior lobe: oxytocin and anti diuretic hormone
Neither is produced by getting posterior pituitary but in the hypothalamus then passed along nerve fibres to the pituitary where they are stored and released when needed

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18
Q

Describe oxytocin

A

Produced in hypothalamus secreted from posterior pituitary
Involved in uterine contraction and contraction of myoepithelial cells surrounding the alveoli of the breaths during lactation

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19
Q

Describe antidiurectic hormone

A

Released when a decrease in fluid volume in the blood is detected by the hypothalamus
Acts on nephrons in the kidney to re absorb water resulting in less being lost by urine
Also a powerful vasoconstrictor so important in maintainence of blood pressure

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20
Q

Outline the blood supply to the thyroid gland

A

Superior and inferior thyroid arteries

Venous blood drains into the internal jugular veins through gets thyroid veins

21
Q

What is hypothyroidism?

A

Under active thyroid (doesn’t produce enough hormones)
Maternal hypothyroidism can result in cretinism in the fetus (hearing and language difficulties, mental retardation, growth retardation)
Screened for in the UK

22
Q

What is hyperthyrodism? Effects on pregnancy?

A

Over active thyroid,produces too many hormones
Associated with pre eclampsia, pre term labour and low brith weight
Drugs for hyperthyroidism pass placenta and breast milk

23
Q

What does the adrenal cortex secrete?

A

Glucocorticoids
Mineralcorticoids
Gonadocortocoids

24
Q

What are glucocorticoids?

A

Cortisol and corticosterone, essential for life hormones
Released by stimulation of ATCH from the anterior pituitary gland
Wide ranging affects on the body
Formation of ATP
Involved in metabolism of glucose and carbohydrates
Cause blood vessels to be sensitive to chemicals that cause vasoconstriction so are involved in maintainence of blood pressure
Can function as anti inflammatories
Can suppress immune response when necessary

25
Q

What are mineralcorticoids?

A

Aldosterone

Involved in reabsorption of sodium from the distal convoluted tubule of the kidney

26
Q

What are Gonadocortocoids?

A

Oestrogen and androgen
Female sexual behaviour and in changes in body shapes in males at puberty
Normally secreted in very low levels compared to those released by the gonads

27
Q

What does the adrenal medulla secrete?

A

Enclosed by the cortex
Component of sympathetic nervous system
Adrenaline
Noradrenaline

28
Q

Describe adrenaline and noradrenaline

A

Secreted when there is an expectation of an instant action.
Fight or flight response
Help body deal with stressful situations
Increase cardiovascular function, muscular contraction while decreasing digestive function

29
Q

What is a stressor?

A

Any agent of stimuli that produces stress

Pain, lack of control, unfamiliar envorinment

30
Q

What is the midwives roles in stressful situations?

A

Invaluable in reducing stress by giving support and increasing women’s confidence to help women’s tension and anxieties
Help balance psychological imbalances
Educate women about the process of labour and give her control in decision making.

31
Q

What hormone actions occur in stressful situations?

A

Corticotrophin releasing hormone released from hypothalamus
This releases ACTH from anterior pituitary which acts on the adrenal cortex to secrete large amounts of cortisol with an increase in aldosterone
These initiate the fight or flight response
This affects normal action of uterus

32
Q

Describe the endocrine cells in the ovaries

A

Release of progesterone and oestrogen are responsible for reproductive cycle
Development of female characteristics
Continuation of pregnancy
Preparation for breastfeeding and lactation

Inhibin
Inhibits FSH and LH

Relaxin
Relaxes pelvic ligaments in pregnancy and helps in cervical dilatation

33
Q

Describe endocrine cells in the testes

A

Testosterone is synthesised

Responsible for development and maturation of spermatozoa

34
Q

Describe endocrine cells in the placenta

A

Human chorionic gonadotropin initially maintains the corpus luteum until the placenta is fully functional
Then oestrogen, progesterone, human placental lactogen etc

35
Q

Describe endocrine cells in the digestive tract

A

Hormones secreted to regulate the release of digestive enzymes

36
Q

Outline the role of prostaglandins

A

Present in most tissues and have a varied role thought to influence the female reproductive tract, pituitary function, body temperature in response to inflammatory response

37
Q

Outline hormonal action

A

Hormone identifies its target cell by the presence of specific receptors on the cell membrane
The hormone binds to receptors and chemically alters he metabolic processes of the target cell
Hormones transported in the blood
Endocrine glands very vascular easy for hormones to easily pass into blood stream

38
Q

How does hCG effect pregnancy?

A

Maintains the corpus luteum until he oak cents is formed
Causes changes in appetite, sleep patterns and food tolerance
Once levels of hCG decrease the symptoms reduce

39
Q

How does FSH and LH secretion change in pregnancy?

A

From posterior pituitary - lessens as cyclical reproductive cycle not required

40
Q

How do prolactin levels change in pregnancy?

A

Rise from early in pregnancy in preparation for lactation

41
Q

How do cortisol levels change in pregnancy?

A

From adrenal glands,
Increase in second trimester
Involved in many metabolic processes

42
Q

How do corticosteroids effect pregnancy?

A

Increased in pregnancy

Thought to be implicated in the development of straie gravidarum, glucosuria and raised blood pressure

43
Q

How do oestrogen levels change in pregnancy?

A

Rise dramatically during pregnancy
Act on liv to release proteins and cholesterol (required by breasts and to produce prolactin)
Involved in uterine oath and blood supply

44
Q

How do progesterone levels change in pregnancy?

A

Increase in threefold
Acts on smooth muscle of blood vessels, gastrointestinal and renal system.
Inhibits uterine contraction until uterus is ready at term

45
Q

How do relaxin levels change in pregnancy?

A

Released by corpus luteum and ,after by the placenta
Highest levels in first trimester
Works alongside progesterone

46
Q

How does the endocrine system change in labour?

A

Both maternal and fetal endocrine systems are thought to be involved in the initiation of labour
Cortisol levels in talk adrenal gland rise towards term
This increases levels of oestrogen in mother which causes oxytocic receptors on uterine muscle to form
Oxytocin then releases form posterior pituitary gland
Prostaglandins also involved although exact mechanism is unknown.

47
Q

How does the endocrine system change in the postnatal period?

A

With expulsion of placenta many hormone levels drop dramatically
Drop in oestrogen allows prolactin to act on alveoli in breast
Prolactin and oxytocic levels remain high to maintain breastfeeding
Oxytocin levels also maintain contractions to minimise blood loss

48
Q

Discuss the endocrine system in the neonate

A

Largely functional in term neonate
Hormones related to reproduction are not formed until puberty
During second half of pregnancy adrenal gland produces cortisol resulting in maturation of many organs in preparation for extra uterine life
Liver increases glycogen, storage of this prevents hypoglycaemia for the first days of life
Surfactant in lungs are under control of cortisol, oestrogen, adrenaline and thyroid hormones
Thyroid hormones and noradrenaline used in metabolism of brown fat in thermoregulation

MIDW1002 A&P exam (23 decks)

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