Chapter 35: Endocrinology

Addison’s disease

endocrine disorder characterized by adrenocortical insufficiency

Symptoms of Addison’s Disease

weakness, fatigue, weight loss, and hyperpigmentation of skin and mucous membranes

Addisonian crisis

form of shock associated with adrenocortical insufficiency and characterized by profound hypotension and electrolyte imbalances

anabolism

constructive or “building up” phase of metabolism in which cells convert nonliving substances into living cytoplasm; the synthesis of steroid compounds by the body which requires the use of energy

catabolism

destructive or “breaking down” phase of metabolism in which complex molecules separate into simpler ones and release energy

Cushing’s disease

pathological condition caused by a tumor of the pituitary gland (adenoma) that causes excess production of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) that, in turn, elevates cortisol production from the adrenal glands, causing excess cortisol in the blood

Cushing’s syndrome

pathological condition resulting from excess adrenocortical hormones produced by a variety of causes including disorders of the adrenal glands

Symptoms of Cushing’s Syndrome

changed body habitus, hypertension, and vulnerability to infection

diabetes insipidus

disorder characterized by excessive urine production caused by inadequate production of antidiuretic hormone

diabetes mellitus

disorder of inadequate insulin activity, due either to inadequate production of insulin or to decreased responsiveness of body cells to insulin

diabetic ketoacidosis

complication of type 1 diabetes due to decreased insulin intake. Marked by high blood glucose, metabolic acidosis, and, in advanced stages, coma

diuresis

formation and passage of a large amount of dilute urine, resulting in decreased blood volume

endocrine gland

organ that secretes chemical substances directly into the blood

exocrine gland

organ that secretes chemical substances to nearby tissues through a duct

gluconeogenesis

conversion of protein and fat to form glucose

glycogenolysis

process controlled by the hormones glucagon and epinephrine in which stores of glycogen are broken down into glucose to meet a bodily need for glucose

glycosuria

glucose in urine

Graves’ disease

endocrine disorder characterized by excess thyroid hormones, resulting in body changes associated with increased metabolism; primary cause of thyrotoxicosis

homeostasis

natural tendency of the body to maintain a stable, steady, and normal internal environment

hormones

chemical substance released by a gland that controls or affects processes in other glands or body systems

hyperglycemia

abnormally high concentration of glucose in the blood

hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome (HHNS)

serious complication of Type 2 diabetes in which sustained hyperglycemia causes osmotic diuresis sufficient to produce marked dehydration, and water intake is inadequate to replace lost fluids

hyperthyroidism

excessive secretion of thyroid hormones resulting in an increased metabolic rate

hypoglycemia

abnormally low concentration of glucose in the blood

hypoglycemic seizure

type of seizure that occurs when brain cells are not functioning normally due to low blood glucose

hypothyroidism

inadequate secretion of thyroid hormones, resulting in a decreased metabolic rate

ketone bodies

compound produced during the catabolism of fatty acids

What are the 3 ketone bodies?

acetoacetic acid, b-hydroxybutyric acid, and acetone

ketosis

presence of significant quantities of ketone bodies in the blood

metabolism

total changes that take place during physiologic processes; the body’s breaking down of chemicals into different chemicals; the sum of cellular processes that produce the energy and molecules needed for growth and repair

myxedema

condition that reflects long-term exposure to inadequate levels of thyroid hormones with resultant changes in body structure and function

myxedema coma

rare life-threatening complication of hypothyroidism (advanced myxedema) in which the patient is comatose with profound hypothermia, electrolyte imbalance, respiratory depression, bradycardia, and hypotension

osmotic diuresis

greatly increased urination and dehydration due to high levels of glucose that cannot be reabsorbed into the blood from the kidney tubules, causing a loss of water into the urine

thyrotoxic crisis

toxic condition characterized by hyperthermia, tachycardia, nervous symptoms, and rapid metabolism

Thyrotoxic crisis is also referred to as _____

Thyroid Storm

thyrotoxicosis

toxic condition due to hyperactivity of the thyroid gland and/or prolonged exposure to excess thyroid hormones resulting in an overall accelerated metabolic rate

Symptoms of thyrotoxicosis

tachycardia, irritability, shaky hands, muscle weakness, and weight loss

What are the eight major endocrine glands?

Hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, thymus, pancreas, adrenal, gonads

Which endocrine gland is particularly active in childhood and what does it develop?

Thymus; the immune system

Which body tissues have endocrine function?

Kidneys, heart, placenta, digestive tract

Where is the hypothalamus?

Deep in the cerebrum

The posterior pituitary responds to _____

Nerve impulses from the hypothalamus

The anterior pituitary responds to _____

hypothalamic hormones

Which two hormones does the POSTERIOR pituitary secrete?

Antidiuretic hormone/vasopressin, oxytoxcin

What does ADH do?

Causes the kidneys to reabsorb water

What does oxytocin do?

cause uterine contractions and lactation

Which hormone targets ALL cells in the body?

growth hormone

Where is the thyroid gland?

Anterior to larynx cartilage

What 3 hormones does the thyroid produce?

T3, T4, Calcitonin

T3 and T4 hormones stimulate _____

cell metabolism

Calcitonin does what?

Decreases calcium in the blood by increasing uptake of calcium in the bones

Parathyroid glands are located where?

Posterior surface of the thyroid glands

What hormone does the parathyroid gland produce and what does it do?

parathyroid hormone; raises calcium levels

Where is the thymus?

Mediastinum just behind sternum

What age group is the thymus active in?

Children

What hormone does the thymus produce?

Thymosin

What does thymosin do?

Matures T lymphocytes for cell-mediated immunity

Pancreatic endocrine cells are located in the ____

Islets of Langerhans

Alpha cells produce ____

glucagon

Beta cells produce ____

Insulin

Delta cells produce ____

Somatostatin

The adrenal glands are located where?

Superior surface of the kidneys

Adrenal medulla produces ____

Epinephrine, Norepinephrine

Adrenal cortex produces ____

steroidal hormones

Glucocorticoids do what?

Increase blood glucose level

What do mineralocorticoids do?

Contribute to salt and fluid balance

Female gonads produce _____

estrogen, progesterone, SOME testosterone

male gonads produce ____

testosterone

Pineal gland is located where?

Roof of thalamus in brain

Pineal gland produces ____

Melatonin

Melatonin is associated with what mood disorder?

Seasonal affective disorder/Seasonal depression

What hormone does the placenta produce?

HCG

What part of the heart produces hormones?

Atrial walls

What hormones does the heart produce?

ANH, BNP

Type II diabetes accounts for ____ of diabetes cases

80%

Exophthalmos

Protrusion of eyeballs, commonly found in Grave’s disease

Symptoms of thyrotoxic crisis

High fever, irritability, delirium, tachycardia, hypotension, vomiting, diarrhea, coma

What glucocorticoid causes Cushing’s?

cortisol

Cushing’s symptoms

Weight gain in the trunk of the body, buffalo hump, moon face

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

affects all adrenal hormones and causes both hyper and hypoadrenalism

Waterhouse Friderichson Syndrome

overwhelming bacterial infection causing massive adrenal hemorrhage

Symptoms of Addison’s

Weakness, hyperpigmentation, weight loss