Endocrine System Flashcards
Where is the parathyroid located?
Embedded in the thyroid
Is the pancreas exocrine or endocrine?
Both
Is the hypothalamic-hypophysial portal system located in the anterior or the posterior pituitary?
Anterior pituitary
What is the posterior pituitary controlled by?
Nerve tracks
What are three disorders of the anterior pituitary?
Acromegaly, gigantism, dwarfism
What are two disorders of the posterior pituitary?
Diabetes insipidus and SIADH
What does SIADH stand for?
Syndrome of Inappropriate Secretion of Antidiuretic Hormone
What is acromegaly caused by?
The hypersecretion of growth hormone AFTER the epiphyses of the long bones have closed
Does acromegaly cause the bones to widen or lengthen?
Widen
What is acromegaly usually due to?
A benign tumor on the pituitary gland
What is gigantism caused by?
The secretion of too much growth hormone BEFORE the epiphyses of the long bones have closed
Does gigantism cause the bones to grow longer or wider?
Longer
Which disorder of too much GH causes mental problems?
Gigantism
What can be used to treat acromegaly and gigantism?
Hypophysectomy (removal of the pituitary gland)
What are four complications of hypophysectomy?
Pressure, bleeding, meningitis, and rhinorrhea
What is rhinorrhea?
When the nasal cavity is filled with a significant amount of mucous
How can you differentiate between CSF and nasal fluid?
CSF contains glucose
What is dwarfism caused by?
The hyposecretion of GH
At what age does dwarfism occur?
Childhood
How is dwarfism treated?
By the administration of GH
Name three symptoms of dwarfism.
Dry skin, low intellectual development, premature aging
What is diabetes insipidus caused by?
The hyposecretion of ADH
What happens to urine output in diabetes insipidus?
It increases dramatically
Why is tachycardia evident in diabetes insipidus?
Because the body is trying to circulate the little blood volume that it has
What are three symptoms of diabetes insipidus?
Polyuria, polydipsia, and inability to concentrate urine
What is the best way to monitor a pt’s fluid intake?
By taking daily weights
What is the treatment for diabetes insipidus?
Administer vassopressin
What is SIADH caused by?
The hypersecretion of ADH
What occurs in SIADH?
Water intoxication
Why does anorexia occur in SIADH?
Because the digestive structures are swollen and produce a feeling of satiety
What is hyponatremia?
Low sodium
Name three symptoms of SIADH.
Weight gain, hypertension, hyponatremia
What happens to the specific gravity of urine in SIADH?
It increases.
What is the treatment for SIADH?
Administer diuretics
What does the kidney release that regulates sodium?
Aldosterone
What does cortisol do to glucose levels?
Raise them
What are two side effects of high cortisol?
Immune system suppression and hyperlipidemia
Which part of the adrenal gland releases glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids?
The adrenal cortex
Is aldosterone a glucocorticoid or a mineralocorticoid?
A mineralocorticoid
What is Addison’s disease?
Hyposecretion of glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids
Addison’s disease is a disorder of what?
The adrenal gland
Why is hypoglycemia a symptom of Addison’s disease?
Because there is not enough cortisol being released to keep glucose levels up
What are three symptoms of Addison’s disease?
Hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, and hypoglycemia
What problem can hyperkalemia cause in the heart?
Cardiac arrythmias
What does the ACTH test measure?
How well your adrenal glands respond to ACTH, which is a hormone that stimulates cortisol release
What is affected in primary adrenal insufficiency?
The adrenal gland
What if affected in secondary adrenal insufficiency?
The pituitary gland
What are three symptoms of an Addisonian crisis?
Severe headache, severe abdominal pain, shock
What is Cushing’s syndrome caused by?
Hypersecretion of glucorticoids from the adrenal gland
Besides an inherent problem, what else can Cushing’s result from?
Long term administration of corticosteroids
What does “iatrogenic” mean?
“We did it to them”
What happens to potassium when abnormally high levels of aldosterone are secreted?
It goes down (hypokalemia)
What are three symptoms of Cushing’s?
Hypertension, hypokalemia, hyperglycemia
What is a possible treatment for Cushing’s?
Adrenalectomy
What is Conn’s syndrome (aldosteronism)?
The secretion of too much aldosterone
What is Conn’s syndrome usually due to?
A benign adrenal tumor
What are two symptoms of Conn’s syndrome?
Hypokalemia and hypernatremia
Why is less renin released in Conn’s syndrome?
Because there is a high blood volume, so kidneys are adequately perfused – and they do not feel the need to raise BP
What are three symptoms of Conn’s syndrome?
Increased thirst, hypertension, hypokalemia
What supplements should be given in Conn’s syndrome?
Potassium supplements
What are three symptoms of pheochromocytoma?
Hypertension, diaphoresis, apprehension
What should be done for patients with pheochromocytoma?
Keep them in a calm environment and avoid caffeine
How long does steroid supplementation need to be continued for a bilateral and a unilateral adrenalectomy?
Bilateral=lifelong. Unilateral=up to 2 years.
What can insufficient urinary output indicate after an adrenalectomy?
Impending shock
What three hormones does the thyroid produce?
T3, T4 and thyrocalcitonin
What do parafollicular cells in the thyroid release?
Calcitonin
What does calcitonin do?
Helps regulate calcium homeostasis (brings calcium levels down)
What does primary hypothyroidism affect?
The thyroid gland
What does secondary hypothyroidism affect?
Pituitary
What does tertiary hypothyroidism affect?
Hypothalamus
Low levels of T3 and T4 stimulate the hypothalamus to release what?
Thyrotropin releasing hormone
Does goiter occur at a later stage in hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism
What happens to T3 and T4 levels in hypothyroidism?
They decrease
What happens to T3 and T4 levels in hyperthyroidism?
They increase
What is the normal value for TSH?
0 to 6
What are the two disorders of hypothyroidism?
Cretinism and myxedema
What are the two disorders of hyperthyroidism?
Graves’ disease and thyrotoxicosis
What is the most common cause of hypothyroidism?
Hashimoto’s (an autoimmune disease)
Deficiency of what mineral causes hypothyroidism?
Iodine
What occurs in primary hypothyroidism?
The thyroid can’t produce the amount of hormones that the pituitary calls for
What occurs in secondary hypothyroidism?
The thyroid isn’t being stimulated by the pituitary to produce enough hormones
What is cretinism?
Hyposecretion of thyroid hormones in the fetus
What are three symptoms of cretinism?
Pot belly with hernia, cold sensitivity, dry skin
When does myxedema occur?
In adulthood
What are three symptoms of myxedema?
Intolerance to cold, bradycardia, and menstrual disturbances
What are three symptoms of myxedema coma?
Bradycardia, mood swings and coma
What is another name for Graves’ disease?
Thyrotoxicosis
What is a thyroid storm?
An acute thyroid disorder that results from manipulation of the thyroid gland during surgery and subsequent release of thyroid hormone
What is a thyroidectomy done for?
Persistent hyperthyroidism
What is a positive Chvostek’s sign?
When you tap the cheek, twitching occurs
What is a positive Chvostek’s sign an indication of?
Low calcium levels
What is hypoparathyroidism?
Hyposecretion of parathyroid hormone
When does hypoparathyroidism occur?
Following removal of the thyroid (which also removes the parathyroid)
What happens to calcium levels in hypoparathyroidism?
They drop
What happens to calcium levels in hyperparathyroidism?
They increase
