Disorders of Endocrine Function – Vocabulary Flashcards

26 vocabulary flashcards summarizing key endocrine disorders, hormones, and related terms from the lecture notes.

Primary Endocrine Disorder

Pathology originates within the target endocrine gland itself (e.g., thyroid, adrenal).

Secondary Endocrine Disorder

Dysfunction results from abnormal pituitary stimulation of an otherwise healthy target gland.

Growth Hormone (GH) Deficiency

Insufficient secretion or action of GH or IGF-1, causing decreased linear growth in children.

Growth Hormone Excess

Overproduction of GH, usually from a pituitary adenoma, leading to giantism in children or acromegaly in adults.

Giantism

Excessive linear growth during childhood due to GH hypersecretion before epiphyseal closure.

Acromegaly

Post-epiphyseal GH excess that enlarges hands, feet, jaw, and soft tissues rather than height.

Hypothyroidism

Deficient thyroid hormone production; often primary and associated with iodine lack or gland dysfunction.

Goiter

Enlarged thyroid gland that can occur in hypo-, eu-, or hyperthyroid states.

Myxedema

Severe, prolonged hypothyroidism marked by mucopolysaccharide accumulation causing non-pitting edema.

Hyperthyroidism

Excess thyroid hormone production or release, elevating metabolic rate and sympathetic activity.

Graves Disease

Autoimmune hyperthyroidism caused by TSH-receptor–stimulating antibodies; often with exophthalmos.

Hashimoto Thyroiditis

Autoimmune destruction of thyroid follicles leading to release of preformed hormones and eventual hypothyroidism.

Adrenocortical Insufficiency

Deficient cortisol and possibly aldosterone from adrenal (primary), pituitary (secondary), or hypothalamic (tertiary) failure.

Addison Disease

Primary adrenocortical insufficiency due to destruction or dysfunction of the adrenal cortex.

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

Genetic enzyme defect that blocks cortisol synthesis, increases ACTH, and shunts precursors to androgen production.

Hypercortisolism

Excess cortisol from adrenal, pituitary, or hypothalamic causes; produces Cushing syndrome features.

Cushing Syndrome

Clinical manifestations (e.g., truncal obesity, moon face, purple striae) resulting from chronic cortisol excess.

Cushing Disease

Hypercortisolism specifically caused by ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma.

Hyperaldosteronism

Excess aldosterone causing sodium retention and potassium loss; may be primary (Conn syndrome) or secondary.

Conn Syndrome

Primary hyperaldosteronism produced by an aldosterone-secreting adrenal tumor.

Pheochromocytoma

Catecholamine-secreting tumor (usually adrenal medulla) that leads to episodic hypertension, tachycardia, and headache.

Hyperparathyroidism

Excess parathyroid hormone, raising serum calcium and causing bone demineralization; often due to adenoma.

Hypoparathyroidism

Deficient PTH leading to hypocalcemia and neuromuscular excitability; may follow thyroid surgery or be autoimmune.

Diabetes Insipidus (DI)

Insufficient ADH activity causing polyuria, polydipsia, hypernatremia, and dilute urine.

Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion (SIADH)

Excessive ADH, often from ectopic tumors, producing water retention and dilutional hyponatremia.