Pituitary Disease Flashcards
what is the function of the endocrine system?
to control hormone secretion
what does primary failure cause?
gland failure
what does secondary failure cause?
control system failure e.g pituitary failure
what does MEN stand for and which type is most important to dentistry?
multiple endocrine neoplasia
- MEN2b (mucosal neuromas, medullary thyroid carcinoma, phechromacytoma of adrenal glands)
what controls the pituitary gland?
hypathalamus
where is the pituitary gland located?
sella turcica- base of skull
how is the pituitary gland attached to the base of the skull?
pituitary stock
what would happen if there was trauma to the pituitary stock?
infarction of pituitary gland- failure of many hormone glands
how would increased pressure of the pituitary or a tumour affect the optic chiasma?
swelling travels upwards towards and compresses the optic chiasma- affects visual fields (gradual not normally noticed)
what is the pituitary gland split into?
anterior- vascular
posterior- neurological and vascular
what does the anterior part of the pituitary gland control?
stimulatory hormones:
-TSH
-adrenal hormones
-growth stimulatory hormones
what does the posterior part of the pituitary gland control?
-ADH (kidneys)
-oxytocin
what are pituitary tumours called?
adenomas
what are the two types of adenomas you can get?
-functional- uncontrolled production of active hormones
-non functional - no hormones produced
what is the function of growth hormones?
allow for correct growth in children
