Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

2.2 T1: The endocrine system > T1 L5: Pathology of the endocrine system > Flashcards

T1 L5: Pathology of the endocrine system Flashcards

1
Q

Is the pancreas an endocrine or exocrine gland?

A

Both

It releases insulin straight into the blood and proteases through a duct into the intestines

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the meaning of endocrine?

A

Action of a hormone on a target organ away from a secreting cell

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What us the meaning of autocrine?

A

Action of the hormone on the secreting cell

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the meaning of paracrine?

A

Action of the hormone on the adjacent cell

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the meaning of neuroendocrine?

A

Neural stimulation of endocrine cells to secrete hormones

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What type of cell is the functional unit of endocrine cells consist of?

A

cuboidal secretory cells with a lumen in the centre

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the function of myoepithelial cells in endocrine glands?

A

They contract to facilitate secretion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Which endocrine glands don’t have a functional unit with a lumen?

A

The pituitary and parathyroid gland

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the adenohypophysis?

A

The anterior pituitary gland lobe

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the neurohypophysis?

A

The posterior pituitary gland lobe

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What do acidophils?

A

They take up acidic dyes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are Basophils?

A

They take up basic dyes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are Chromophobes?

A

They have no specific staining features

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What hormone do Somatotrophs secrete and what is the target organ?

A

They secrete growth hormone and target bones

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What hormone do lactotrophs secrete and what is the target organ?

A

They secrete Prolactin and target breasts

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What hormone so Corticotrophes secrete and what is the target organ?

A

They secrete Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and target the adrenal glands

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What hormone do Gonadotrophs secrete and what is their target organ?

A

They secrete Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinising hormone (LH) which target the ovaries and testes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What hormone do Thyrotrophs secrete and what is the target organ?

A

They secrete thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) which targets the thyroid gland

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What are the 2 hormones secreted by the posterior pituitary gland?

A

ADH and Oxytocin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What are pituitary adenomas?

A

Benign tumours that arise from the anterior lobe

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What are some clinical presentations of pituitary adenomas and why?

A

Headaches, vomiting, diplopia, impaired vision

Because the adenoma occupies space and puts pressure on the optic chiasm and surrounding structures

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is diplopia?

A

Double vision

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Which element is needed to produce the thyroid hormones T3 and T4?

A

Iodine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Why does the thyroid gland enlarge during an iodine deficiency?

A

So it can absorb as much iodine as possible

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

How much does the thyroid gland weigh?

A

35-45g

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Describe the structure of the thyroid gland?

A

2 lobes linked together by the isthmus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What type of capillaries line the thyroid gland?

A

Fenestrated capillaries

This allows easy movement of hormones between the layers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What is meant by Euthyroid?

A

Normal function of the thyroid even if pathology is present

29
Q

What is a Goitre?

A

An enlarged thyroid gland

30
Q

What is Graves disease?

A

When auto-antibodies stimulate TSH receptors and cause hyperplasia of thyroid cells.

It can cause Infiltrative ophthalmopathy and infiltrative dermopathy

31
Q

What is Hashimoto’s disease?

A

An Autoimmune condition of the thyroid the system to destroy it’s own thyroid tissue leading to a progressive depletion of thyroid cells by inflammation and replaced by fibrosis

32
Q

What is the pathophysiology behind a multi-nodular goitre?

A

Lack of iodine leads to an enlarges thyroid gland due to hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the thyroid cells. The increase in size overcomes the hormone deficiency and the patients are therefore euthyroid

33
Q

What is Hyperplasia?

A

Enlargement

34
Q

What is Hypertrophy?

A

Increase in growth

35
Q

Why may a multi-lobar goitre need to be removed?

A

It will be compressing the surrounding structures Eg. Trachea

36
Q

What is tracheomalacia?

A

When the cartilage of the trachea is soft, weak and floppy

37
Q

What is infiltrative ophthalmopathy?

A

Accumulation of soft tissue and inflammatory cells behind the eye leading to proptosis

38
Q

What is infiltrative dermopathy?

A

Thickening and induration of skin on the anterior caused by a deposition of hyaluronic acid

39
Q

What is proptosis?

A

Protruding of the eyes

40
Q

Why do thyroid colloids have a soap-like appearance with Grave’s disease?

A

Due to the hyperactivity

41
Q

What is the most common type of hypothyroidism where iodine is widley available?

A

Hashimoto’s disease

42
Q

How does Hashimoto’s thyroiditis appear histologically?

A

The gland is irregular and there will be prominent lymphocytic infiltrate

43
Q

What is Follicular adenoma?

A

A benign tumour of the thyroid follicular cells

44
Q

What is a papillary thyroid tumour?

A

The most common type of thyroid carcinoma. It appears as an irregular solid or cystic mass or nodule in a normal thyroid parenchyma

45
Q

Where does a papillary thyroid tumour metastisise?

A

Into the lymph nodes

46
Q

What is a follicular thyroid tumour?

A

2nd most common type of thyroid cancer.

Tumours consist of a microfollicular architecture with follicles lined by cuboidal epithelial cells

47
Q

Where do Follicular thyroid tumours most commonly metastasise?

A

To bones, lung, and liver

48
Q

What is a medullary thyroid tumour?

A

A tumour that arises from C cells and is associated with MEN 2 syndrome

49
Q

What is an Anaplastic thyroid tumour?

A

An aggressive form of thyroid cancer characterized by uncontrolled growth of cells in the thyroid gland. Most common in older patients and has a poor prognosis

50
Q

What are C cells for?

A

They secrete Calcitonin and are found between follicles in the thyroid

51
Q

What do Parathyroid glands do?

A

They secrete Parathyroid hormone (PTH)

52
Q

What is the function of parathyroid hormone?

A

It controls the levels of calcium in the blood

53
Q

How is the release of parathyroid hormone stimulated?

A

A decrease in blood calcium

54
Q

How many glands does an adenoma of the parathyroid gland affect?

55
Q

How many glands does hyperplasia of the parathyroid gland affect?

56
Q

Which embryological layer is the adrenal cortex derived from?

A

The mesoderm

57
Q

Which embryological layer is the adrenal medulla derived from?

A

The neural crest

58
Q

What colour is a normal adrenal gland?

A

Characteristically orange/yellow in colour because the cells are rich in lipids

59
Q

Which 3 layers is the adrenal cortex divided into?

A

Zona Glomerulosa
Zona Fasciculata
Zona Reticularis

60
Q

What is the zona Glomerulosa for?

A

It secretes mineralocorticoids and aldosterone for the absorption of sodium (Salts)

61
Q

What is the zona Fasciculata for?

A

For Glucocorticoids, cortisol, corticosterone, and sex hormones (Sugars)

62
Q

What is the zone Reticularis for?

A

17 Ketosteroids and sex hormones (Sex)

63
Q

What is Cushings syndrome?

A

Excess cortisol

64
Q

What is adrenogenital syndrome?

A

Excess androgens

65
Q

What is Addison’s disease?

A

Adrenocortical insufficiency

66
Q

Which diseases can functional adrenal cortex adenomas cause?

A

Cushing’s syndrome or Conn’s syndrome

67
Q

Which cells comprise the adrenal medulla?

A

Compact cells that secrete adrenaline and noradrenaline in response to intense reactions which results in vasoconstriction, increased heart rate, and increased blood sugar levels

68
Q

What is a 10% tumour?

A

A phaeochromocytoma because:

10% are familial as part of MEN2 syndrome
10% are extra-adrenal
10% bilateral
10% malignant
10% arise at childhood

2.2 T1: The endocrine system (23 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions