Glossary Terms - Disorders

Question 1

acromegaly

Answer 1

Overgrowth of bone and soft tissue, especially in the hands, feet, and face, caused by an excess of growth hormone in an adult. The name comes from acro meaning “extremity” and megal/o meaning “enlargement”

Question 2

Addison disease

Answer 2

A disease resulting from deficiency of adrenocortical hormones. It is marked by darkening of the skin, weakness, and alterations in salt and water balance

Question 3

adult

hypothyroidism

Answer 3

A condition caused by hypothyroidism in an adult. There is dry, waxy swelling, most notable in the face; formerly called myxedema

Question 4

Cushing disease

Answer 4

Overactivity of the adrenal cortex resulting from excess production of ACTH by the pituitary

Question 5

Cushing syndrome

Answer 5

A condition resulting from an excess of hormones from the adrenal cortex. It is associated with obesity, weakness, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and hirsutism (excess hair growth)

Question 6

diabetes insipidus

Answer 6

A disorder caused by insufficient release of ADH from the posterior pituitary. It results in excessive thirst and production of large amounts of very dilute urine. The word insipidus means “tasteless,” referring to the dilution of the urine

Question 7

diabetes mellitus

Answer 7

A disorder of glucose metabolism caused by deficiency of insulin production or failure of the tissues to respond to insulin. Type 1 results from autoimmune destruction of pancreatic islet cells; it generally appears in children and requires insulin administration. Type 2 generally occurs in obese adults; it is treated with diet, exercise, drugs to improve insulin production or activity, and sometimes insulin. The word mellitus comes from the Latin root for honey, referring to the sugar content of the urine

Question 8

exophthalmos

Answer 8

Protrusion of the eyeballs, as seen in Graves disease

Question 9

hyperglycemia

Answer 9

Excess glucose in the blood

Question 10

ketoacidosis

Answer 10

Acidosis (increased acidity of body fluids) caused by an excess of ketone bodies, as in diabetes mellitus; diabetic acidosis

Question 11

metabolic syndrome

Answer 11

A state of hyperglycemia caused by cellular resistance to insulin, as seen in type 2 diabetes, in association with other metabolic disorders; syndrome X or insulin resistance syndrome

Question 12

panhypopituitarism

Answer 12

Underactivity of the entire pituitary gland

Question 13

tetany

Answer 13

Irritability and spasms of muscles; may be caused by low blood calcium and other factors

Question 14

adrenogenital syndrome

Answer 14

Condition caused by overproduction of androgens from the adrenal cortex, resulting in masculinization; may be congenital or acquired, usually as a result of an adrenal tumor

Question 15

Conn syndrome

Answer 15

Hyperaldosteronism caused by an adrenal tumor

Question 16

craniopharyngioma

Answer 16

A tumor of the pituitary gland

Question 17

Hashimoto disease

Answer 17

A chronic thyroiditis of autoimmune origin

Question 18

impaired glucose tolerance (IGT)

Answer 18

High blood glucose levels after glucose intake that may signal borderline diabetes mellitus

Question 19

ketosis

Answer 19

Accumulation of ketone bodies, such as acetone, in the body. Usually results from deficiency or faulty metabolism of carbohydrates, as in cases of diabetes mellitus and starvation

Question 20

multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN)

Answer 20

A hereditary disorder that causes tumors in several endocrine glands; classified according to the combination of glands involved

Question 21

pituitary apoplexy

Answer 21

Sudden massive hemorrhage and degeneration of the pituitary gland associated with a pituitary tumor. Common symptoms include severe headache, visual problems, and loss of consciousness

Question 22

Simmonds disease

Answer 22

Hypofunction of the anterior pituitary (panhypopituitarism), usually because of an infarction; pituitary cachexia (ka-KEK-sē-a)

Question 23

thyroid storm

Answer 23

A sudden onset of the symptoms of thyrotoxicosis occurring in patients with hyperthyroidism who are untreated or poorly treated. May be brought on by illness or trauma. Also called thyroid crisis

Question 24

thyrotoxicosis

Answer 24

Condition resulting from overactivity of the thyroid gland. Symptoms include anxiety, irritability, weight loss, and sweating. The main example of thyrotoxicosis is Graves disease

Question 25

von Recklinghausen disease

Answer 25

Degeneration of bone caused by excess production of parathyroid hormone. Also called Recklinghausen disease of bone