Pituitary Disease Flashcards
what is the definition of an endocrine disease?
a dysfunction of hormone secreting glands
what system of regulation occurs in patients with endocrine disease?
negative feedback regulation
there are two branches of endocrine diseases, what are they?
- primary
- secondary
what is meant by primary endocrine disease?
GLAND failure of the endocrine system
what is meant by secondary endocrine disease?
CONTROL failure of the endocrine system
where is the pituitary gland located?
found in a small depression in the middle of the skull base
what specific problem can occur when the pituitary gland increases in size/grows?
any growth will head upwards (due to the surrounding bone) and cause trauma & pressure on the optic chiasm, affecting vision
what type of control does the pituitary fall under?
hypothalamic control
what hormones are released from the ANTERIOR pituitary?
- thyroid stimulating hormone
- adrenocorticotrophic hormone
- growth hormone
- prolactin
- LH & FST
what hormones are released from the posterior pituitary?
- anti-diuretic hormone
- oxytocin
what type of tumours tend to occur on the pituitary gland?
- functional adenomas
- non functional adenomas
what is the difference between functional and non-functional pituitary adenomas?
- functional adenomas = produces an active hormone
- non functional adenomas = do not produce active hormone (space occupying tumour)
what tends to occur as a result of non functional pituitary adenomas?
- visual field defects
- other hormone deficiencies
how are pituitary tumours removed?
trans-sphenoidal surgery (enter through the nose)
what occurs if there is insufficient growth hormone in children?
growth failure
