T1 L5: Pathology of the endocrine system Flashcards
Is the pancreas an endocrine or exocrine gland?
Both
It releases insulin straight into the blood and proteases through a duct into the intestines
What is the meaning of endocrine?
Action of a hormone on a target organ away from a secreting cell
What us the meaning of autocrine?
Action of the hormone on the secreting cell
What is the meaning of paracrine?
Action of the hormone on the adjacent cell
What is the meaning of neuroendocrine?
Neural stimulation of endocrine cells to secrete hormones
What type of cell is the functional unit of endocrine cells consist of?
cuboidal secretory cells with a lumen in the centre
What is the function of myoepithelial cells in endocrine glands?
They contract to facilitate secretion
Which endocrine glands don’t have a functional unit with a lumen?
The pituitary and parathyroid gland
What is the adenohypophysis?
The anterior pituitary gland lobe
What is the neurohypophysis?
The posterior pituitary gland lobe
What do acidophils?
They take up acidic dyes
What are Basophils?
They take up basic dyes
What are Chromophobes?
They have no specific staining features
What hormone do Somatotrophs secrete and what is the target organ?
They secrete growth hormone and target bones
What hormone do lactotrophs secrete and what is the target organ?
They secrete Prolactin and target breasts
What hormone so Corticotrophes secrete and what is the target organ?
They secrete Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and target the adrenal glands
What hormone do Gonadotrophs secrete and what is their target organ?
They secrete Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinising hormone (LH) which target the ovaries and testes
What hormone do Thyrotrophs secrete and what is the target organ?
They secrete thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) which targets the thyroid gland
What are the 2 hormones secreted by the posterior pituitary gland?
ADH and Oxytocin
What are pituitary adenomas?
Benign tumours that arise from the anterior lobe
What are some clinical presentations of pituitary adenomas and why?
Headaches, vomiting, diplopia, impaired vision
Because the adenoma occupies space and puts pressure on the optic chiasm and surrounding structures
What is diplopia?
Double vision
Which element is needed to produce the thyroid hormones T3 and T4?
Iodine
Why does the thyroid gland enlarge during an iodine deficiency?
So it can absorb as much iodine as possible
How much does the thyroid gland weigh?
35-45g
Describe the structure of the thyroid gland?
2 lobes linked together by the isthmus
What type of capillaries line the thyroid gland?
Fenestrated capillaries
This allows easy movement of hormones between the layers