Pituitary and Adrenal Gland Flashcards
Describe the tissue of the posterior pituitary gland
It is an extension of neural tissue consisting of modified glial cells and axonal processes
What do somatotrophs secrete?
Growth hormone
What do mammotrophs secrete?
Prolactin
Name 3 types of basophil and what they produce
Corticotrophs (ACTH)
Thyrotrophs (TSH)
Gonadotrophs (FSH/LH)
What do corticotrophs produce?
ACTH
What do thyrotrophs produce?
TSH
What do gonadotrophs produce?
FSH/LH
Which part of the thyroid gland contains non-myelinated axons of neurosecretory neurons?
Posterior gland of the pituitary
Sheehan’s syndrome?
Hypopituitarism caused by ischemic necrosis due to blood loss and hypovolemic shock during and after childbirth
What could a tumour extending into the sella cause?
Hypopituitarism
Inflammatory conditions (e.g. sarcoid) and the pituitary gland?
Could cause hypothyroidism Surgery/radiation Sudden Haemorrhage into gland Ischaemic necrosis Sheehan Syndrome Tumours extending into sella Inflammatory conditions (Sarcoidosis)
Which gland does SIADH affect?
Syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion affects the posterior pituitary (lel, posterior is in charge of ADH secretion so thats obvious lol)
MEN1
Multiple endocrine neoplasia (Werner syndrome)
Addison’s Disease Typical Presentation
Malaise, tiredness, poor appetite, weight loss CRAVING FOR SALTY FOOD Dizzy spells Low BP, postural hypotension PIGMENTATION
Most common cause of Addison’s disease?
Autoimmunity
Symptoms specific to women in addisons?
Loss of body hair and periods may stop
What other disease may be associated with Addison’s disease?
Type 1 diabetes, autoimmune thyroid disease, pernicious anemia
Why might patients with addisons become hypoglycaemic?
Steroids make you more insulin resistant, in addisons you aren’t producing sufficient steroids and so you become more insulin sensitive
Diagnosis of Adrenal Insufficiency
Suspicious Biochemistry:
- Low sodium, high potassium, hypoglycaemia
- Short Synachten Test (>250, >480)
- ACTH levels will be high
- Renin will be massively increased, Aldosterone will be decreased
- Adrenal autoantibodies
Most common type of pituitary adenoma?
Prolactinoma
Symptoms of prolactinoma?
Infertility, lack of libido, amenorrhoea
What causes levels of insulin like growth factors to rise?
Growth hormone
Symptoms of a growth hormone secreting functional adenoma?
Growth of bone, cartilage and connective tissue
Gigantism or acromegaly
Symptoms of Pituitary Apoplexy (apoplexy is bleeding within organs)
This is a surgical emergency! Headache, diploploia (pressure on CNIII), hypopituitarism, cardiovascular collapse and loss of consciousness
