Endocrinology Flashcards
Secrete products into blood or extracellular spaces
Endocrine glands
Secrete products through ducts into internal or external spaces
Exocrine glands
What are the basic functions of the endocrine system?
- Regulation of digestion, use and storage of nutrients
- Growth and development
- Electrolyte and water metabolism
- Reproduction
What are the major glands of the endocrine system?
- Pituitary gland (AP, PP)
- Thyroid
- Parathyroid
- Adrenal
- Pancreas
- Gonads
Controlled by factors released from the hypothalamus into portal blood vessels (Releasing factors)
Anterior pituitary gland
What are the cells of the AP? What do they secrete?
- Somatotrophs; GH
- Lactotrophs; Prolactin
- Corticotrophs; ACTH
- Thyrotrophs; TSH
- Gonadotrophs; LH and FSH
What does growth hormone do?
Increases glucose levels in the blood (glucose regulation); causes growth
What does prolactin do?
Lactation and immune regulation
What does ACTH do?
Stimulates cortisol secretion from adrenal cortex, stress response
What does TSH do?
Release thyroid hormone from thyroid gland
What does LH and FSH do?
Regulates reproduction and gonadal steroids
Contains the nerve terminals of axons from neurons located in the hypothalamus
PP
What are the hormones released by the PP?
- Oxytocin
2. Vasopresson (ADH)
What does Oxytocin do?
- uterine contraction (Pitocin), lactation
2. Facilitates interactions between people
What does vasopressin do?
Causes reabsorption of water from renal tubules
When TSH stimulates the thyroid gland, what does it secret?
- Thyroid hormone (TH - T3, T4) from follicular cells
2. Calcitonin from C-cells
What does TH do?
Regulates basal metabolism
What does calcitonin do?
Moves calcium out of the blood into bones
What stimulates the release of PTH?
Decrease in Ca levels in the blood
What does PTH do?
Moves calcium out of bones into the blood
What are the two main parts of the adrenal gland?
- Cortex (outer)
2. Medulla (inner)
What are the 3 layers of the adrenal gland? What do they secrete?
- Zona granulosa; mineralcorticoids (aldosterone)
- Zona fasciculata; Glucocorticoids (cortisol)
- Zona reticularis; sex steroids (estrogen, androgens, progestins)
What is the function of aldosterone?
Stadium and potassium homeostasis
What is the function of cortisol?
Carbohydrate metabolisme and modulate inflammation
What is the function of gonadal steroids?
Regulate tissues responsive to gonadal steroids
What is the medulla controlled by? what does it secrete?
Sympathetic nervous system; NE and epinepherine
What are S and S of endocrine dysfunction?
- RA
- Muscle weakness, atrophy myalgia and fatigue
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Other musculoskeletal disorders
What are 3 main consequences of AP disorders?
- Hyperpituitarism
- Hypopituitarism
- Local compression of brain tissue
What are the effects that can result from hyperpituitarism?
- Can compress adjacent brain and nervous tissues
- Visual field abnormalities – bitemporal hemianopsia
- Headaches
- Somnolence - sleepiness
- GH – Gigantism, Acromegaly
- Prolaction – hyperprolactinemia
- ACTH – Cushing’s disease
- TSH – hyperthyroidism
Disease due to increased GH secretion before epiphyseal plates close; develops abruptly; increased height; tx: surgery, radiation, drugs
Gigantism
Disease due to increased GH after epiphyseal plates have closed; gradual onset
Acromegaly
What are S and S of acromegaly?
- Thickening of bones
- Hypertrophy of soft tissues;
Specific effects of hormone = Primarily of face, skull, hands and feet; Coarsening of facial features, protrusion of jaw, thickened ears, nose and tongue, broadening of hands with spade-like fingers
Non specific effects of tumor = Headaches, diplopia, lethargy and blindness
What are post-op care precautions to take with Gigantism and acromegaly?
- Encourage ambulation and walking within 24 hours post surgery
- Coughing, sneezing, and blowing nose contraindicated
- Monitor blood glucose levels
- Intracranial pressure
- Possible visual changes
- Unexpected mood changes
What are the S and S of hyperprolactinemia?
Women:
- Galactorrhea – increased secretion of milk (not while breastfeeding)
- Amenorrhea
- Depressed libido
- Decreased fertility
- Hirsutism (excessive hair growth)
Men:
- Loss of libido
- Impotence
- Decreased fertility
What are some of the physical therapy needs of patients with hypopituitarism?
- Visual deficits
- Infection control – skin care
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Lethargy and apathy
- Orthostatic hypotension
What disease occurs with hypopituitarism of the PP?
Diabetes insipidus (ADH deficiency)