Thyroid Gland/Hormones Flashcards
T/F: The thyroid gland is highly vascular.
TRUE
Where is the thyroid gland located?
Just inferior to the larynx
Two lobes connected by an isthmus
Describe the function of the epithelial (follicle) cell in the synthesis of thyroid hormone.
- Iodide transported into cell through the basal side with Na
- Iodide diffuses across the follicle cell and into the colloid
- TG and thyroid peroxidase are synthesized and exocytosed into the colloid
What is the roll of the colloid in the synthesis of thyroid hormones?
- Iodide is oxidized by thyroid peroxidase and linked with tyrosine on TG to create MIT or DIT
- DITs and MITs combine to form either T3 or T4
- These T3s and T4s remain attached to TG and are stored in the colloid
Why is Iodide linked with TG?
Maintain concentration gradient so more Iodide diffuses across follicle cell and into colloid
Describe the organs and hormones involved in the thyroid axis.
- Hypothalamus releases thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH)
- Ant pituitary releases thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
- Thyroid releases T3 and T4
Where are the receptors for TSH?
Follicle cells on the thyroid
Once TSH stimulates receptors on the follicle cells, describe the process for thyroid hormone secretion.
- Colloid droplets with TG + T3/T4 are pinocytosed into follicle cells
- Droplet fuses with lysosome with enzymes to cleave T3 and T4 from TG
- T3 and T4 released into cytoplasm and diffuse into capillaries
- Amino acids from TG recycled for new TG
Thyroid hormone is lipophilic. Most lipophilic hormones cannot be stored in vesicles. What allows for the storage of TH?
It is synthesized extracellularly (colloid) and is stored in a colloid droplet bound to TG
Which hormone (T3 or T4) is secreted in higher volumes?
T4
Which hormone (T3 or T4) is the most biologically active form of TH?
T3
What happens to the majority of T4 after it is secreted? Why is it secreted as T4 in the first place?
T4 is transferred to T3 in liver or kidneys
Secreting as T4 keeps Iodide concentration gradient low in colloid and high in blood. Insures there is always free iodide for TH synthesis
T/F: TSH serves only to stimulate TH synthesis.
FALSE
Also stimulates follicle cell metabolism and replication
T/F: Thyroid hormone exerts negative feedback on both TRH and TSH.
TRUE
In what cells are receptors for TH found?
Most cells of the body
Where in the cell is a TH receptor found?
In the nucleus