The Endocrine System Pathology

Question 1

Endocrinology

Answer 1

Branch of medicine involving diagnosis and treatment of conditions and diseases of endocrine glands. Physician is an ‘endocrinologist.’

Question 2

Adrenomegaly

Answer 2

Having one or both adrenal glands enlarged

Question 3

Adrenopathy

Answer 3

General term for adrenal gland disease

Question 4

Edema

Answer 4

Condition in which the body tissues contain excessive amounts of fluid

Question 5

Endocrinopathy

Answer 5

General term for diseases of the endocrine system

Question 6

Exophthalmos

Answer 6

Condition in which the eyeballs protrude, such as in Graves’ disease. This is generally caused by an overproduction of thyroid hormone

Question 7

Glycosuria

Answer 7

Having a high level of sugar excreted in the urine

Question 8

Gynecomastia

Answer 8

Development of breast tissue in males. May be a symptom of adrenal feminization

Question 9

Hirsutism

Answer 9

Condition of having an excessive amount of hair. Term generally used to describe females who have the adult male pattern of hair growth. Can be the result of a hormonal imbalance

Question 10

Hypercalcemia

Answer 10

Condition of having a high level of calcium in the blood; associated with hypersecretion of parathyroid hormone

Question 11

Hyperglycemia

Answer 11

Condition of having a high level of sugar in the blood; associated with diabetes melllitus

Question 12

Hyperkalemia

Answer 12

The condition of having a high level of potassium in the blood

Question 13

Hypersecretion

Answer 13

Excessive hormone production by an endocrine gland

Question 14

Hypocalcemia

Answer 14

The condition of having a low level of calcium in the blood; associated with hyposecretion of parathyroid hormone. Hypocalcemia may result in tetany

Question 15

Hypoglycemia

Answer 15

Condition of having a low level of sugar in the blood

Question 16

Hyponatremia

Answer 16

Condition of having a low level of sodium in the blood

Question 17

Hyposecretion

Answer 17

Deficient hormone production by an endocrine gland

Question 18

Obesity

Answer 18

Having an abnormal amount of fat in the body

Question 19

Polydipsia

Answer 19

Excessive feeling of thirst

Question 20

Polyuria

Answer 20

Condition of producing an excessive amount of urine

Question 21

Syndrome

Answer 21

Group of symptoms and signs that, when combined, present a clinical picture of a disease or condition

Question 22

Thyromegaly

Answer 22

Having an enlarged thyroid gland

Question 23

Addison’s Disease

Answer 23

Disease named for British physician Thomas Addison; results from a deficiency in adrenocortical hormones. There may be an increased pigmentation of the skin, generalized weakness, and weight loss

Question 24

Adrenal Feminization

Answer 24

Development of female secondary sexual characteristics (such as breasts) in a male. Often as a result of increased estrogen secretion by the adrenal cortex

Question 25

Adrenal Virilism

Answer 25

Development of male secondary sexual characteristics (such as deeper voice and facial hair) in a female. Often as a result of increased androgen secretion by the adrenal cortex

Question 26

Adrenalitis

Answer 26

Inflammation of one or both adrenal glands

Question 27

Cushing's Syndrome

Answer 27

Set of symptoms caused by excessive levels of cortisol due to high doses of corticosteroid drugs and adrenal tumors. the syndrome may present symptoms of weakness, edema, excess hair growth, skin discoloration, and oseoporosis

Question 28

Pheochromocytoma

Answer 28

Usually benign tumor of the adrenal medulla that secretes epinephrine. Symptoms include anxiety, heart palpitations, dyspnea, profuse sweating, headache, and nausea

Question 29

Diabetes Mellitus (DM)

Answer 29

Chronic disorder of carbohydrate metabolism resulting in hyperglycemia and glycosuria. There are two distinct forms of diabetes mellitus: insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or type 1, and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or type 2

Question 30

Diabetic Retinopathy

Answer 30

Secondary complication of diabetes that affects the blood vessels of the retina, resulting in visual changes and even blindness

Question 31

Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM)

Answer 31

Also called 'type 1 diabetes mellitus.' It develops early in life when the pancreas stops insulin production. Patient must take daily insulin injections

Question 32

Insulinoma

Answer 32

Tumor of the islets of Langerhans cells of the pancreas that secretes an excessive amount of insulin

Question 33

Ketoacidosis

Answer 33

Acidosis due to an excess of acidic ketone bodies (waste products). A serious condition requiring immediate treatment that can result in death for the diabetic patient if not reversed. Also called 'diabetic acidosis.'

Question 34

Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

Answer 34

Also called 'type 2 diabetes mellitus.' It typically develops later in life. The pancreas produces normal to high levels of insulin, but the cells fail to respond to it. Patients may take oral hypoglycemics to improve insulin function, or may eventually have to take insulin

Question 35

Peripheral Neuropathy

Answer 35

Damage to the nerves in the lower legs and hands as a result of diabetes mellitus. Symptoms include either extreme sensitivity or numbness and tingling

Question 36

Hyperparathyroidism

Answer 36

Hypersecretion of parathyroid hormone; may result in hypercalcemia and Recklinghausen disease

Question 37

Hypoparathyroidism

Answer 37

Hyposecretion of parathyroid hormone; may result in hypocalcemia and tetany

Question 38

Recklinghausen Disease

Answer 38

Excessive production of parathyroid hormone resulting in degeneration of the bones

Question 39

Tetany

Answer 39

Nerve irritability and painful muscle cramps resulting from hypocalcemia. Hypoparathyroidism is one cause of tetany

Question 40

Acromegaly

Answer 40

Chronic disease of adults that results in an elongation and enlargement of the bones of the head and extremities. There can also be mood changes. Due to an excessive amount of growth hormone in an adult

Question 41

Diabetes Insipidus (DI)

Answer 41

Disorder caused by the inadequate secretion of anti-diuretic hormone by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland. There may be polyuria and polydipsia

Question 42

Dwarfism

Answer 42

Condition of being abnormally short in height. It may be the result of a hereditary condition or lack of growth hormone

Question 43

Gigantism

Answer 43

Excessive development of the body due to the overproduction of the growth hormone by the pituitary gland in a child or teenager. The opposite of dwarfism

Question 44

Hyperpituitarism

Answer 44

Hypersecretion of one or more pituitary gland hormones

Question 45

Hypopituitarism

Answer 45

Hyposecretion of one or more pituitary gland hormones

Question 46

Panhypopituitarism

Answer 46

Deficiency in all the hormones secreted by the pituitary gland. Often recognized because of problems with the glands regulated by the pituitary--adrenal cortex, thyroid, ovaries, and testes

Question 47

Thymitis

Answer 47

Inflammation of the thymus gland

Question 48

Thymoma

Answer 48

A tumor in the thymus gland

Question 49

Cretinism

Answer 49

Congenital condition in which a lack of thyroid hormones may result in arrested physical and mental development

Question 50

Goiter

Answer 50

Enlargement of the thyroid gland

Question 51

Graves' Disease

Answer 51

Condition named for Irish physician Robert Graves that results in overactivity of the thyroid gland and can cause a crisis situation. Symptoms include exophthalmos and goiter. A type of 'hyperthyroidism.'

Question 52

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

Answer 52

Chronic autoimmune form of thyroiditis; results in hyposecretion of thyroid hormones

Question 53

Hyperthyroidism

Answer 53

Hypersecretion of thyroid gland hormones

Question 54

Hypothyroidism

Answer 54

Hyposecretion of thyroid gland hormones

Question 55

Myxedema

Answer 55

Condition resulting from a hyposecretion of the thyroid gland in an adult. Symptoms can include anemia, slow speech, swollen facial features, edematous skin, drowsiness, and mental lethargy

Question 56

Thyrotoxicosis

Answer 56

Condition resulting from marked overproduction of the thyroid gland. Symptoms include rapid heart action, tremors, enlarged thyroid gland, exophthalmos, and weight loss

Question 57

Adenocarcinoma

Answer 57

Cancerous tumor in a gland that is capable of producing the hormones secreted by that gland. One cause of hypersecretion pathologies