Introduction to Endocrinology - Short lecture

Question 1

Define endocrinology

Answer 1

The science and medical speciality concerned with the internal or hormonal secretion and their physiologic and pathologuc relations

Question 2

Define paracrine hormones

Answer 2

Chemical communication between cells within a tissue or organ

Question 3

Define autocrine signals

Answer 3

A chemical that acts on the same cell as it is secreted by

Question 4

Define intracrine signals

Answer 4

A chemical that acts within the same cell

Question 5

What tests should be conducted if you suspect a hormone deficiency?

Answer 5

Stimulation tests

Question 6

What tests should you conduct if you suspect a hormone excess?

Answer 6

Suppression tests

Question 7

What are the four types of hormone receptors?

Answer 7

• G protein coupled receptors
• Receptor Tyrosine Kinase (RTK) families
• receptors associated with tyrosine kinase activity
• steroid hormone receptors

Question 8

Where are the major endocrine glands located?

Answer 8

Head

Neck

Abdomen

Pelvis (female)

Perineum (male)

Question 9

What are the major endocrine glands of the head?

Answer 9

Hypothalamus and pituitary gland

Question 10

What are the main endocrine glands of the neck?

Answer 10

4 parathyroid glands and the thyroid gland

Question 11

What are the main endocrine glands of the abdomen?

Answer 11

2 adrenal (suprarenal) glands

Pancreas

Question 12

What are the main endocrine glands of the pelvis? FEMALE

Answer 12

2 ovaries (in the broad ligaments)

Question 13

What are the main endocrine glands in the perineum? MALE

Answer 13

2 testes (in the scrotum)

Question 14

What are the two broad types of endocrine tumours?

Answer 14

Functioning and non-functioning

Question 15

Define a non-functioning tumour

Answer 15

The tumour destroys the gland –> too little hormone is secreted

Question 16

Define a functioning tumour

Answer 16

Too much hormone is secreted