BoardPerfectND Endocrine Clinical Sciences

Vocabulary flashcards based on the clinical sciences of endocrine pathologies including pituitary, thyroid, ADH, PTH, adrenal, and pancreatic disorders.

Dopamine

The primary neurotransmitter responsible for inhibiting the secretion of prolactin from the anterior pituitary.

Somatostatin

The hormone responsible for inhibiting the secretion of Growth Hormone (GH) from the anterior pituitary.

Bitemporal hemianopia

A visual field defect caused by the compression of the optic chiasm, often seen in cases of pituitary adenoma.

Sheehan’s syndrome

A cause of hypopituitarism characterized by ischemic necrosis of the pituitary gland due to hypovolemic shock following childbirth.

Empty Sella Syndrome

A condition where the subarachnoid space extends into the sella turcica, partially filling it with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Gigantism

A Growth Hormone disorder in children characterized by excess GH secretion occurring before the fusion of the epiphyses, leading to increased linear bone growth.

Acromegaly

A Growth Hormone disorder in adults characterized by excess GH secretion after the epiphyseal fusion, resulting in enlarged hands, feet, jaw, frontal sinuses, and cardiomyopathy.

Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1)

The first-line laboratory investigation used to screen for Growth Hormone excess, as it is more stable than GH levels.

Glucose suppression test

The most specific investigation for acromegaly, where GH remains elevated following an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) instead of being suppressed.

Hyperprolactinemia

Condition often caused by a prolactinoma, primary hypothyroidism (due to increased TRH), or medications like antipsychotics and $H_2$-blockers.

Reverse T3 (rT3)

A metabolically inactive form of thyroid hormone produced during stress to decrease metabolic activity.

Calcitonin

A hormone produced in the thyroid that decreases osteoclast activity and increases renal calcium excretion to lower serum calcium levels.

Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin (TSI)

Autoantibodies that are increased in Grave’s Disease and stimulate the TSH receptor, causing hyperthyroidism and ophthalmopathy.

Grave’s Disease

An autoimmune cause of hyperthyroidism characterized by the inflammatory response of ophthalmopathy (exophthalmos) and pretibial myxedema.

Plummer’s nails

A dermatological finding in hyperthyroidism characterized by soft nails and onycholysis (nail separation).

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

The most common cause of hypothyroidism, characterized by chronic lymphocytic inflammation and autoantibodies against TPO and thyroglobulin.

Goitrogens

Substances found in foods like turnips, cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli that can inhibit thyroid hormone production and cause a non-toxic goiter.

Central Diabetes Insipidus

A deficiency in ADH production due to CNS trauma or tumors, resulting in dilute urine that responds to exogenous ADH (DDAVP).

Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus

A condition where the kidneys are resistant to ADH, often caused by Lithium use or hypercalcemia; diagnosed when urine output remains high after DDAVP administration.

SIADH

Syndrome of Inappropriate ADH Secretion, characterized by excess ADH, water retention, and dilutional hyponatremia; often caused by small cell lung carcinoma.

Primary Hyperparathyroidism

The most common nonmalignant cause of hypercalcemia, typically caused by a parathyroid adenoma and associated with kidney stones and diastolic hypertension.

Chvostek’s Sign

A clinical sign of hypocalcemia/hypoparathyroidism where tapping the facial nerve causes an ipsilateral facial muscle twitch.

Trousseau’s Sign

A clinical sign of hypocalcemia/hypoparathyroidism characterized by carpal spasms after the inflation of a blood pressure cuff.

Zona Glomerulosa

The outer zone of the adrenal cortex responsible for the production of mineralocorticoids, primarily aldosterone.

Addison’s Disease

Chronic adrenocortical insufficiency characterized by autoimmune destruction of the adrenal cortex, hyperpigmentation, hyperkalemia, and hypotension.

Cushing’s Disease

Hypercortisolism resulting specifically from an ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma, presenting with truncal obesity and a "buffalo hump."

Conn’s Syndrome

Primary hyperaldosteronism, usually caused by an adrenal adenoma, resulting in diastolic hypertension, metabolic alkalosis, and decreased renin levels.

Pheochromocytoma

A tumor of the chromaffin cells in the adrenal medulla that secretes catecholamines, leading to paroxysmal hypertension, sweating, and tachycardia.

Insulinoma

A benign tumor of the pancreatic $\beta$-islet cells that causes fasting hypoglycemia and is associated with increased serum insulin and C-peptide levels.

Whipple’s Triad

The diagnostic criteria for hypoglycemia: presence of symptoms, low plasma glucose ($<2.5\,mmol/L$ in males, $<2.2\,mmol/L$ in females), and relief of symptoms upon glucose administration.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

An acute complication of Type 1 DM featuring hyperglycemia, ketones, anion gap metabolic acidosis, and Kussmaul breathing.

Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State (HHS)

A severe complication of Type 2 DM characterized by extreme hyperglycemia ($>33\,mmol/L$ usually) and severe dehydration without significant ketosis.

Metabolic Syndrome

A cluster of abnormalities including abdominal obesity (waist $\ge 102\,cm$ in men, $\ge 88\,cm$ in women), triglycerides $\ge 1.7\,mmol/L$, and hypertension.

MEN I

Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type I, involving the "3 P's": Pituitary tumors, Parathyroid hyperplasia, and Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

MEN IIa

Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type IIa, involving parathyroid hyperplasia, pheochromocytoma, and medullary thyroid carcinoma.