Pituitary gland & Cushing syndrome

Question 1

How does the pituitary gland receive blood?

Answer 1

It has no arterial blood.

Receives blood through a portal venous circulation from the hypothalamus

Question 2

Give 4 examples of what the pituitary gland regulates.

Answer 2

1. growth
2. thyroid
3. puberty
4. steroids

Question 3

Where can the TRH receptors be found?

Answer 3

In the anterior pituitary

Question 4

What does TRS do when binding to receptors in the anterior pituitary?

Answer 4

Stimulates the release of TSH

Question 5

Which thyroid hormone in the active form and works in gene transcription?

1. T3
2. T4

Answer 5

T3

Question 6

How can you tell if the anterior pitiurtary is not working in a man and women?

Answer 6

In men:
lack of testosterone

In women
lack of periods

Question 7

What does high levels of GHRH and low levels of SMS stimulate in the anterior pituitary?

Answer 7

Stimulates the release of growth hormone from the pituitary gland

Question 8

What are 3 vital presentations of a tumour causes?

Answer 8

1. pressure on local structures e.g. optic nerves
2. Pressure on normal pituitary e.g. hypopituitarism
3. Functioning tumour e.g. acromegaly

Question 9

What can be affected if the tumour grow laterally

Answer 9

Vision problems as it can compress on the optic nerve

Question 10

How can a hypopituitary man present?

Answer 10

Pale
No body hair
Central obesity
(lack of testosterone

Question 11

What causes Cushing’s syndrome?

Answer 11

chronic, excessive and inappropriate elevated levels of cortisol (plasma glucocorticoids)

Question 12

How might a child present with Cushing’s syndrome?

Answer 12

Putting on weight BUT do not grow

Question 13

Whats are first 3 tests used to test for Cushing syndrome?

Answer 13

1. Urinary Free cortisol test
2. Low dose dexamethasone suppression tests
3. Late night/midnight serum or salivary cortisol

Question 14

What is the second step in the diagnosis of Cushing Syndrome?

Answer 14

Measure plasma ACTH