Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Human Diseases > Endocrinology > Flashcards

Endocrinology Flashcards

1
Q

What are hormones?

A

Molecules secreted into the blood with regulatory actions at distant sites

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

How do hormones act via?

A

Receptors

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

How are hormones regulated?

A

Feedback loops

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

List 5 endocrine glands?

A 
Pituitary gland
Thyroid and parathyroid glands
Adrenal glands
Pancreas
Ovaries/testes
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Describe the actions leading to the secretion of cortisol

A

Corticotrophin releasing hormone released from the hypothalamus
This stimulates Adrenocorticotrophic hormone to be released from pituitary gland
This travels in the blood stream to the adrenal cortex which secretes cortisol
When cortisol levels are high this causes negative feedback loop to hypothalamus and CRH stops being made

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

How is thyroxine produced?

A

Thyroid-releasing hormone secreted from hypothalamus causes release of thyroid stimulating hormone from pituitary gland
This causes release of thyroxine from thyroid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What hormone does the adrenal medulla secrete?

A

Adrenaline

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What hormone does the parathyroid secrete?

A

Parathyroid hormone - effects plasma calcium

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What does the adrenal cortex release when not governed by the pituitary gland)?

A

Aldosterone - effects plasma volume

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What do the pancreatic islet of langerhans secrete?

A

Insuline, glucagon

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

List 5 mechanism of endocrine disease?

A 
Autoimmune destruction of gland
Autoimmune stimulation of gland
Destruction of gland - surgery, cancer
Tumour formation
Effects of tumour - hypersecretion
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the effect of Cushing’s syndrome?

A

Hypercortisolism - too much cortisol from adrenal cortex

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What causes hypercortisolism?

A

Excess exogenous steroids

Damage to the hypothalamus pituitary axis e.g. ACTH secreting pituitary tumour or Cortisol secreting adrenal tumour

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Adrenal clinical features of Cushing’s syndrome?

A 
Moon face - increase adipose tissue
Buffalo hump
Abdominal obesity
Proximal muscle weakness
Thin skin
Bruising
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

How is Cushing’s syndrome investigated?

A

Test cortisol level in urine

Measure ACTH to decide where the abnormality is

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

How is Cushing’s syndrome treated?

A

Surgery - adrenalectomy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is Addisons disease?

A

Hypo-adrenalism (hypocortisolism) - due to destruction of adrenal cortex

18
Q

Causes of hypo-adrenalism?

A

Destruction of adrenal cortex - Addison’s disease
Suppression of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis following steroid treatment
Adrenal tumour
Pituitary failure - lack of ACTH

19
Q

Clinical features of hypoadrenalism

A 
Tiredness
Weight-loss
Pigmentation of skin
Hypotension
Hypoglycaemia
20
Q

Features of Addisonian crisis?

A

Vomiting
Dehydration
Hypotension
Hypoglyaemia

21
Q

How is hypoadrenalsim investigated?

A

Low cortisol levels
High ACTH
Adrenal antibodies

22
Q

How is hypoadrenalism treated?

A

Replacement of cortisol - hydrocortisone

23
Q

What is hyperthyroidism?

A

Excess thyroxine and tri-iodothyronine from thyroid

24
Q

Causes of hyperthyroidism?

A

Graves disease

Thyroid adenoma

25
Q

Features of hyperthyroidism?

A 
Sped up metabolism - too much adrenaline (stimulated when thyroid levels high)
- hot
- weightloss
- increased appetite
- poor sleep
- loose bowels
graves disease
26
Q

Diagnosis of hyper-thyroidism?

A

Raised thyroxine and tri-iodothyronine
Suppressed TSH
Thyroid stimulating antibodies

27
Q

Treatment of hyper-thyroidsim?

A

Surgical thyroidectomy
Anti-thyroid drugs
Beta-blockers

28
Q

What is hypothyroidism?

A

Lack T4 and T3 - high TSH

29
Q

Causes of hypothyroidism?

A

Autoimmune destruction of thyroid
Surgical removal of thyroid
Secondary to TSH lack in pituitary disease

30
Q

Features of hypothyroidism?

A

Slow metabolism

  • cold
  • dry skin
  • slow, tired
  • weight gain
  • poor appetite
31
Q

What is acromegaly?

A

Excess growth hormone from pituitary gland

32
Q

What causes acromegaly?

A

Pituitary tumour

33
Q

Diagnosis of acromegaly?

A

High GH, doesn’t suppress with glucose (negative feedback)

34
Q

Features of acromegaly?

A 
Enlarged hands. feet. jaw, skull
Coarse facial features
Thick skin
Arthritis (TMJ)
Hypertension
Hyperglycaemia
35
Q

What is hyperparathyroidism?

A

Increased calcium production

36
Q

Caused by hyperparathyroidism?

A

Tumour, Vit D excess, cancers

37
Q

Features of hyperparathyroidism?

A

Dry eyes and mouth
Thirst, polyuria
Loss of lamina dura
Reduced cortical width of mandible and ground glass appearance

38
Q

Effect of hypoparathyroidism?

A

Hypocalcaemia

39
Q

Causes of hypoparathyroidism?

A

Autoimmune destruction

Damage to parathyroids

40
Q

Features of hypocalacemia?

A

Tingling, paraethesiae

Cramps

Human Diseases (37 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions