Endocrine Pathologies (Marieb Chapter 16)

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, and pancreatic endocrine pathologies from Marieb Chapter 16.

Diabetes insipidus

A condition marked by antidiuretic hormone (ADH) deficiency resulting from damage to the hypothalamus or posterior pituitary, requiring individuals to stay well hydrated.

Syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion (SIADH)

A disorder caused by hypersecretion of ADH resulting in fluid retention, headache, and disorientation; managed through fluid restriction and monitoring of blood sodium levels.

Gigantism

A condition in children resulting from hypersecretion of growth hormone (GH), typically caused by an anterior pituitary tumor, where individuals can reach heights of $8\text{ feet}$.

Acromegaly

A disorder in adults caused by hypersecretion of growth hormone (GH) characterized by overgrowth of the bones and tissues in the hands, feet, and face.

Pituitary dwarfism

A condition in children caused by hyposecretion of growth hormone (GH) resulting in delayed somatic growth, where individuals may reach a maximum height of only $4\text{ feet}$.

Hyperprolactinemia

The most frequent clinical abnormality of anterior pituitary tumors, characterized by excessive prolactin secretion causing inappropriate lactation (galactorrhea), lack of menses, infertility in females, and impotence in males.

Myxedema

Full-blown hypothyroid syndrome in adults characterized by low metabolic rate, thick and/or dry skin, puffy eyes, feeling chilled, constipation, edema, mental sluggishness, and lethargy.

Goiter

An enlargement of the thyroid gland resulting from iodine deficiency; lack of iodine decreases thyroid hormone levels, triggering elevated TSH secretion and excessive accumulation of unusable thyroglobulin.

Cretinism

Severe hyposecretion of thyroid hormone in infants, manifesting as intellectual disabilities, a short and disproportionately sized body, and a thick tongue and neck.

Graves' disease

The most common hyperthyroid pathology; an autoimmune condition where abnormal antibodies mimic TSH and continuously stimulate thyroid follicular cells to release excess thyroid hormone.

Exophthalmos

Protrusion of the eyeballs characteristic of Graves' disease, resulting from the accumulation of edematous and fibrous tissue in the orbital sockets behind the eyes.

Osteitis fibrosa cystica

A severe form of hyperparathyroidism in which calcium is extensively leached from bone tissue, causing bones to soften, deform, and fracture spontaneously.

Hypoparathyroidism

Parathyroid hormone deficiency following gland trauma or surgical removal, causing hypocalcemia that leads to tetany, respiratory paralysis, and death if untreated.

Aldosteronism

Hypersecretion of aldosterone, typically caused by adrenal tumors, producing hypertension and edema due to excess $Na^+$ retention, alongside neuron and muscle nonresponsiveness due to excess $K^+$ excretion.

Cushing's syndrome

A clinical condition caused by glucocorticoid (cortisol) excess that depresses bone formation and immune response, presenting with characteristic 'moon' face and 'buffalo hump' fat distributions.

Addison's disease

A hyposecretory disorder involving deficits in both glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids, characterized by decreased blood glucose and $Na^+$ levels, severe dehydration, weight loss, and hypotension.

Adrenogenital syndrome

Hypersecretion of adrenal gonadocorticoids (androgens) leading to masculinization; causes rapid sexual maturation in prepubertal boys and virilization (beard, masculine body hair pattern, enlarged clitoris) in females.

Pheochromocytoma

A tumor of adrenal medullary chromaffin cells that causes hypersecretion of catecholamines, resulting in uncontrolled sympathetic activation including hyperglycemia, hypertension, rapid heartbeat, and palpitations.

Glycosuria

The excretion of excess glucose in the urine, occurring in diabetes mellitus when blood glucose concentrations exceed the renal reabsorption threshold.

Polyuria

A cardinal sign of diabetes mellitus characterized by an abnormally huge urine output, resulting from glucose remaining in the kidney tubules and acting as an osmotic diuretic.

Polydipsia

A cardinal sign of diabetes mellitus marked by extreme and excessive thirst caused by profound dehydration following polyuria.

Polyphagia

A cardinal sign of diabetes mellitus characterized by excessive hunger and food consumption because cells cannot absorb glucose and are 'starving'.

Lipidemia

High circulating levels of fatty acids in the blood, occurring in diabetes mellitus when cells are unable to take up glucose and must mobilize fats for energy metabolism.

Ketoacidosis

A severe drop in blood pH resulting from the accumulation of acidic ketone bodies produced by rapid fatty acid metabolism in untreated diabetes mellitus.

Ketonuria

The presence and spillage of ketone bodies in the urine, which draws essential cations such as $Na^+$, $K^+$, and $H^+$ out of the body into the tubules.

Hyperinsulinism

Excessive insulin secretion resulting in hypoglycemia (low blood glucose levels), which manifests with anxiety, nervousness, disorientation, unconsciousness, and death if not treated with sugar ingestion.