CCMA training notes: Endocrine System

What is the primary function of the endocrine system?

Produces hormones that work together to maintain homeostasis in the body.

What does homeostasis refer to?

Maintaining a constant internal environment.

What part of the brain is closely associated with the pituitary gland, influencing its secretion or regulation of hormones?

Hypothalamus

What 2 major functions does the hypothalamus control?

1. Controls the actions of the pituitary gland

2. Regulates various physiological processes such as temperature, thirst, hunger, sleep, and circadian rhythms.

What are the 2 lobes of the pituitary gland?

1. Anterior lobe

2. Posterior lobe.

Where is the pineal gland located and its shape?

Found in the central portion of the brain and pinecone-shaped.

What shape is the thyroid gland?

Butterfly-shaped.

Where are the parathyroid glands located?

Located on the back or posterior side of the thyroid gland.

What is the function of the thymus gland?

It is part of the immune system helping the body's immune response.

Where is the pancreas located?

Posterior to the stomach.

What are the 2 main functions of the pancreas?

1. Regulating blood sugar levels.

2. Producing hormones and digestive enzymes.

What are gonads?

Gamete-producing glands that are responsible for the production of sex cells (sperm + eggs) and hormones (such as testosterone + estrogens). 

What are the female gonads that produce eggs + hormones?

Ovaries. 

What important hormones do ovaries produce?

Estrogen and progesterone.

What is the function of the placenta during pregnancy?

Provides oxygen + nutrients to the growing baby and removes waste.

What role do testicles serve in males?

Production + storage of sperm and secretion of testosterone.

What is hyperpituitarism?

The over secretion of pituitary hormones.

What condition causes abnormal enlargement of hands and feet?

Acromegaly.

What is Gigantism?

Abnormal growth of the entire body due to excess growth hormone before puberty.

What does galactorrhea refer to?

Excess breast milk production due to excess prolactin which is often caused by a pituitary tumor or other disorders affecting the pituitary gland.

What does short stature refer to?

A deficiency in the secretion of growth hormone.

What is prolactinoma?

A benign tumor in the pituitary gland causing excess prolactin secretion which is often associated with galactorrhea + amenorrhea in women.

What is diabetes insipidus?

Excessive thirst and urination resulting from insufficient antidiuretic hormone (also known as vasopressin and ADH) production or kidneys' inability to respond to ADH. 

What is pinealoma?

A tumor of the pineal gland disrupting melatonin production.

What is hyperthyroidism?

An overproduction of thyroid hormones with symptoms like weight loss, nervousness, increased appetite, and heat intolerance.

What is Grave’s disease?

An autoimmune disorder that causes excessive thyroid hormone production + symptoms like goiter, bulging eyes, irritability, and heat intolerance.

What is Hashimoto's disease?

An autoimmune condition where antibodies attack the thyroid gland causing hypothyroidism and inflammation.

What is hypothyroidism?

A deficiency in thyroid hormone secretion causing low metabolism, fatigue, weight gain, and sensitivity to cold.

What is cretinism?

A congenital form of hypothyroidism leading to arrested development due to severe deficiency of thyroid hormone during infancy or early childhood.

What does hyperparathyroidism cause?

An overproduction of parathyroid hormone leading to Hypercalcemia which is excessive calcium levels in the blood, resulting in various symptoms including fatigue, weakness, + kidney stones.

What is thymitis?

An inflammation of the thymus gland often associated with autoimmune disorders, resulting in impaired immune function.

What is insulinoma?

A benign tumor causing hypoglycemia characterized by low blood sugar levels due to elevated insulin secretion + causing dizziness, confusion, and sweating.

What characterizes pancreatitis?

Inflammation of the pancreas often caused by long-term alcoholism.

What is hyperglycemia?

A high concentration of glucose in the blood.

What is hypoglycemia?

An abnormally low concentration of glucose in the blood.

What is polydipsia?

Excessive thirst often resulting from diabetes or dehydration.

What does polyphagia refer to?

Excessive hunger often associated with diabetes or metabolic disorders. 

What is polyuria?

Excess urination.

What does hyperinsulinism indicate?

Excessive secretion of insulin into the bloodstream.

What is Type 1 diabetes?

An autoimmune insulin deficiency disorder due to destruction of pancreatic beta cells.

What is Type 2 diabetes?

A condition of insulin resistance where the body does not use insulin effectively.

What is latent autoimmune diabetes?

Type 1.5 diabetes occurring in adults which has features of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, characterized by a slower progression and often misdiagnosed as Type 2.

What is gestational diabetes mellitus?

A form of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy that typically resolves after delivery but increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.

What is Addison’s disease?

Adrenal glands do not produce enough cortisol + aldosterone possibly leading to fatigue, weight loss, + low blood pressure and can result from autoimmune disorders or other underlying conditions.

What is adrenalitis?

An inflammation of the adrenal glands.

What is aldosteronism?

An electrolyte imbalance caused by excessive aldosterone secretion which means kidneys retain too much sodium and lose potassium, leading to symptoms such as high blood pressure + muscle weakness.

What condition is Conn’s syndrome associated with?

Excessive production of aldosterone which means high blood pressure and low potassium levels.

What is Cushing’s syndrome?

Hypercortisolism due to high cortisol exposure.

What does hypergonadism refer to?

Excessive secretion of hormones by sex glands.

What does hypogonadism refer to?

A deficient secretion of hormones by sex glands.