Thyroid disorders Flashcards

1
Q

What is the name of the dimple at the back of the tongue
and what caused
the formation of that structure?

A

Foramen Caecum

This is a remnant left by the descending thyroglossal duct

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2
Q

What is the weight and dimensions of a normal thyroid gland?

A

20 g

4 cm x 2.5 cm x 2.5 cm

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3
Q

Which lobe of the thyroid is the biggest?

A

right

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4
Q

What are three problems that can occur with the development of the
thyroid?

A

AGENESIS - complete absence of the thyroid
INCOMPLETE DESCENT
THYROGLOSSAL CYST - thyroglossal duct persists and cysts may for
m

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5
Q

What is cretinism?

A

Irreversible brain damage caused by a lack of thyroxine

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6
Q

State two features of cretinism.

A

Stunted growth

Low IQ

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7
Q

What nerves run near the thyroid gland?

A

Recurrent laryngeal nerves

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8
Q

How are newborns tested for cretinism and what is the treatment?

A

Heel-prick test

TSH is measured and if it is ABNORMALLY HIGH then they are given THYROXINE

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9
Q

Is thyroid disease more common in males or females?

A

Females

Female: Male ratio = 4:1

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10
Q

Define myxoedema.

A

Primary Hypothyroidism - primary thyroid failure

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11
Q

What is the most common cause of primary thyroid failure?

A

Autoimmune damage to the thyroid

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12
Q

How do TSH levels change in primary thyroid failure?

A

TSH levels rise to try and stimulate and increase in thyroxine production
(eventually the TSH production will become exhausted and it will decline)

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13
Q

What exerts negative feedback on TSH and TRH release?

A

T3/T4 - direct and indirect negative feedback

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14
Q

State some features of primary hypothyroidism.

A
EVERYTHING SLOWS DOWN 
Deepening voice 
Depression and tiredness 
Bradycardia
Cold intolerance  
Weight gain and reduced appetite  
Constipation
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15
Q

What is the treatment for hypothyroidism?

A

Give THYROXINE daily and monitor TSH

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16
Q

How does TSH change in hyperthyroidism?

A

TSH is low because the elevated Thyroxine exerts a powerful negative
feedback
effect on it

17
Q

State some features of hyperthyroidism.

A
Raised metabolic rate  
Raised temperature  
Lose weight + burn up calories 
Tachycardia  
Clinical: diarrhoea, myopathy, mood swings, palpitations
, feeling hot in all 
weather, goitre
18
Q

What is a common cause of hyperthyroidism?

A

Graves’ Disease

19
Q

What causes Graves’ disease?

A

The whole thyroid gland is SMOOTHLY ENLARGED and the whole gland is
OVERACTIVE
Caused by the immune system producing an antibody that MIMICS
TSH

20
Q

Other than an increase in thyroxine production, state two other features of
hyperthyroidism.

A

GOITRE - enlargement of the thyroid could form a goitre
EXOPHTHALMOS - other antibodies could bind to the eye muscles pushing the
eye forwards
PRETIBIAL MYXOEDEMA - other antibodies could promote growth of
soft tissue
on the SHIN