Pathology of the Endocrine System Flashcards
what hormones does the thyroid gland secrete
triiodothyronine (T3)
thyroxine (T4)
calcitonin
what are the common causes of hyperthyroidism
Grave’s disease (diffuse toxic hyperplasia)
toxic multinodular goitre
toxic adenoma
what is Grave’s disease
autoimmune production of anti-TSH receptor antibodies
what are the changes to the thyroid gland in Grave’s disease
diffuse hyperplasia
hyperfunction
what are the changes to the eye in Grave’s disease
ophthalmopathy (as occular fibroblasts have TSH receptor)
what are causes of hypothyroidism
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (autoimmune destruction)
iatrogenic deficiency
iodine deficiency
congenital hypothyroidism
what is Hashimotos disease
autoimmune destruction of thyroid epithelial cells with circulating antibodies to thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase
what are the changes to the thyroid gland in Hashimotos disease
diffuse enlargement
grandual failure
what usually causes a multinodular goitre
iodine deficiency
what is a multinodular goitre and what does it cause
multiple nodules in a thyroid gland that is bigger than normal
results in impaired synthesis of T3 and T4 (therefore an increase in TSH)
how would you investigate a thyroid nodule
TFT’s
ultrasound
FNA
what are the common neoplasms of the thyroid
- follicular adenoma (benign)
- follicular carcinoma
- papillary carcinoma
- thyroid medullary carcinoma (malignant tumour of C cells)
what is usually the cause of asymptomatic hypercalcaemia
hyperparathyroidism
what is usually the cause of hyperparathyroidism
an adenoma
what is the most common cause of pituitary hyperfunction
pituitary adenoma
what is the most common functioning pituitary adenoma
prolactinoma
apart from a prolactinoma what are common pituitary adenomas
GH secreting adenoma (acromeagly, giantism)
ACTH secreting adenoma (Cushing’s disease)
what are signs that suggest a pituitary mass may be present
visual field abnormalities
elevated ICP
headache
what is the most common cause of pituitary hypofunction
a tumour pressing on the gland (Craniopharyngioma)
what type of tissue is a Craniopharyngioma developed from
pituitary gland embryonic tissue
what is Cushing’s Syndrome
too much cortisol production
what is Conn’s syndrome
too much Aldosterone
the causes of cushing’s syndrome can be divided into two categories what are they
ACTH dependent
ACTH independent
what are the ACTH dependent causes of Cushings syndrome
pituitary adenoma
ectopic ACTH secretion
what are the ACTH independent causes of Cushings
functioning adrenal adenoma
what is a phaeochromocytoma
tumor of the adrenal medulla that secretes catelcholamines
what is multiple endocrine neoplasia
when two or more endocrine tumor types, known to occur as a part of one of the defined MEN syndromes, occurs in a single patient and there is evidence for either a causative mutation or hereditary transmission
what does MEN 1 usually causes
parathyroid hyperplasia and adenomas
pancreatic and duodenal endocrine tumours
