endocrinology

Terms in this set (28)

the major integrating link between the nervous system and endrocrine system.
-receives input from cortex, thalamus, limbic system and internal organs
-controls the pituitary gland with different releasing and inhibiting hormones

pituitary gland

The endocrine system's most influential gland. Mainly controlled by hypothalamus (hypophysis)
-the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands.

Pituitary gland division

Adenohypophysis- anterior- 75% of the total weight of the gland.
Neurohypophysis- posterior

Adenohypophysis (anterior pituitary)

Anatomically and functionally connected to hypothalamus by blood vessels the form a portal system aka hypophyseal portal system.
-cells are responsible for the synthesis of growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL) / luteotropic hormone (LTH) and ACTH, FSH, LH, TSH

adenohypophysis (cells)

Somatotroph- GH, stimulates kidney and liver to synthesise and secrete somatomedin, which stimulates the growth of long bones.
Thyrotroph- TSH, stimulates growth of thyroid epithelial cells and release of thyroid hormones to the blood.
Gonadotroph-LH and FSH
Lactotroph- prolactin, milk production
Corticotroph- ACTH,

Neurohypophysis (posterior pituitary)

Stores and releases oxytocin and vasopressin produced in the hypothalamus

Hypopituitarism

Under-secretion
Lack of hypothalamic stimulus
- Trauma
- Irradiation

Hypopituitarism lack of:

GH = dwarfism in young people

TSH = hypothyroidism

FSH/LH = loss of libido, amenorrhoea

ACTH = malaise, life-threatening

Hypopituitarism causes

- Pituitary tumours
- Trauma
- Radiotherapy
- Infarction
- Infiltration (sarcoidosis)
- Infections
- Postpartum haemorrhage (Sheehan's syndrome)

Hypopituitarism diagnosis

Hormone assays: basal or stimulation tests
Imaging studies e.g. CT scans (X-rays)

hypopituitarism treatment

hormone replacement therapy:
corticosteroids
thyroxine
sex steroids
human GH

Hyperprolactinaemia

Excess Prolactin
- Clinically, in women, galactorrhoea, menstrual irregularities, or infertility
- In men, galactorrhoea and erectile dysfunction

Pituitary Hormones

The anterior pituitary manufactures seven hormones.

Major pituitary hormones and their target organs

Cushing's syndrome

is the result of too much of the hormone cortisol in the body

Cushings Syndrome treatment?

surgery to remove tumor, drug or radiation therapy, total adrenalectomy

male hypogonadism

Testosterone deficiency.
-Most common cause is Klinefelters syndrome
Sparce hair, undeveloped skeletal muscles, long arms and legs (due to delayed closure of endothelial plates)
Adult onset will cause decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, infertility, decreased cognitive skills, mood changes, sleep disturbances

Adrenocortical insufficiency

condition in which the adrenal cortex underproduces necessary hormones

Primary hypothyroidism

is due to disease in the thyroid,
is represented by high TSH levels

secondary hypothyroidism

less common; it is due to pituitary or hypothalamic disease,
and TSH levels are low.

Hypocortisolaemia

Disorders of the Adrenal Cortex
Primary-- Addison's disease
Secondary-- Hypothalamic or pituitary

Hypercortisolaemia

Cushing's syndrome

Addison's disease

occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough of the hormones cortisol or aldosterone

Addison's disease treatment

give a steroid, chronic steroid therapy

Mechanism controlling anterior pituitary gland

Craniopharyngioma

-Disorders of the Hypothalamus
Cysts derived from developmental process
-Benign but increase in size as a result of cholesterol rich fluid accumulation
Treatment
- Surgical excision of cyst
- Irradiation to prevent recurrence

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