Endocrine System

Word parts Acr/o: extremities Calc/o: calcium Chrom/o: color Phys/o: air, gas Toxic/o: poison Adrenal/o, adren/o: adrenal gland Gluc/o, glyc/o: sugar, sweetness Parathyroid/o: parathyroid gland Pituitar/o: pituitary gland Sphen/o: wedge, sphenoid bone Thym/o: thymus gland Thyr/o, thyroid/o: thyroid gland Phe/o: dusky, dark Pan-: all

Overview Endocrinologist: a medical doctor that deals with disease of the endocrine system Endocrinology: the branch of medicine concerned with hormone imbalances Parts: ducts, glands, hormones Functions: to regulate various body functions and keep the internal environment of the body stable Regulates mood, controls metabolism and growth and development Influences sexual and reproductive functions

Overview Homeostasis: the ability of the body to maintain a stable internal environment Hormone: a chemical substance produced by the body that affects growth and development, sexual function, mood, metabolism and many other processes Metabolism: the sum of all chemical and physical processes occurring within living cells

Diseases and Conditions Addison disease: decreased function of the adrenal gland that results in muscle weakness and atrophy, loss of fluids and electrolytes, low blood pressure, hypoglycemia and hyperpigmentation of the skin Cushing syndrome: excessive cortisol hormones due to tumors or medications Blood-glucose balances

Diseases and Conditions Diabetes Mellitus: a group of diseases characterized by high blood-glucose levels due to defects in insulin secretion, insulin action or both Type 1: childhood diabetes with abrupt onset caused by destruction of pancreatic cells and insufficient insulin absorption Type 2: adult diabetes with gradual onset caused by lowered insulin production

Diseases and Conditions Insulinoma: a tumor of pancreatic cells Pancreatitis: inflammation of the pancreas when pancreatic enzymes that digest food are activated in the pancreas instead of the duodenum Panhypopituitarism: total pituitary impairment that causes loss of hormone activity Pheochromocytoma: a rare adrenal gland tumor that causes excessive release of epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (hormone that regulate heartrate and blood pressure)

Diseases and Conditions Hypothyroidism: thyroid hormone deficiency that is the result of a developmental problem, injury, disease or dietary deficiency Cretinism: hypothyroidism in infants Can lead to mental retardation, growth impairment, low body temperature and abnormal bone formation Myxedema: hypothyroidism in adults Characterized by edema, weight gain, cold intolerance, fatigue, depression, and muscle and joint pain

Diseases and Conditions Hyperthyroidism: excessive secretion of thyroid hormones resulting from a developmental problem, injury, disease or dietary deficiency Graves disease: an autoimmune disease that causes goiters (enlarged thyroid gland), exophthalmos (bulging eyes) elevated metabolic rate, weight loss, excessive perspiration, muscle weakness and emotional instability

Diseases and Conditions Hypopituitarism: a deficiency of growth hormone resulting in a short stature with normal body proportions “pituitary dwarfism” Gigantism: excessive secretion of growth hormone in children causing an abnormal increase in the length of long bones Acromegaly: excessive secretion of growth hormone in adults causing the overgrowth of bones in the face, hands and feet

Diagnostic Procedures Fasting blood glucose: measures blood glucose after the patient fasts for 8 hours Glucose tolerance test: the patient fasts for 8-12 hours then ingests glucose and blood samples are taken to measure the metabolic rate of glucose Radioactive iodine uptake test: determines thyroid function by monitoring the ability of the thyroid to metabolize iodine

Diagnostic Procedures Thyroid function test: a blood test that measures thyroid hormone levels Total calcium: a blood test that measures calcium to detect parathyroid and bone disorders

Medical and Surgical Procedures Lobectomy: removal of one lobe of the thyroid gland in treatment of endocrine diseases Thymectomy: excision of the thymus gland Transsphenoidal hypophysectomy: endoscopic surgery that removes pituitary tumors through the nasal cavity via the sinus without affecting the brain

Pharmacology Insulins: replace insulin in patients with diabetes Oral antidiabetics: treat type 2 diabetes by stimulating the pancreas to produce insulin or they lower blood glucose levels

Abbreviations ADH: antidiuretic hormone BS: blood sugar DM: diabetes mellitus FBG: fasting blood glucose FBS: fasting blood sugar GH: growth hormone

Abbreviations GTT: glucose tolerance test HRT: hormone replacement therapy IV: intravenously RAIU: radioactive iodine uptake TFT: thyroid function test TSH: thyroid-stimulating hormone