Question | Answer |
What are the structures of the endocrine system? | Pineal, hypothalamus, pituitary, parathyroids, thyroid, thymus, adrenals, pancreas, ovaries, & testes |
What is the role of hormones in the endocrine system? | They travel through the bloodstream to stimulate specific target cells. They then bind with a receptor to trigger changes within the cell. |
What is the function of the anterior pituitary? | Consisting of glandular tissue, it synthesizes & secretes a number of very important hormones, under the direction of the hypothalamus |
What is the function of the posterior pituitary? | Consisting of neural tissue, it simply stores hormones synthesized by the hypothalamus |
What is the function of the pineal? | Produces melatonin and MAY also regulate the timing of puberty |
What is the function of the thymus? | It secretes thymosin and thymopoietin, 2 hormones that have a role in the development of the immune system |
What is the function of the thyroid gland? | It secretes T3 & T4, and can also store them for later use, increases the body's metabolic rate, increases heat production, and calcitonin is also secreted here |
What is the function of the parathyroid gland? | Secretes PTH to maintain calcium homeostasis |
What is the function of the adrenal glands? | The adrenal medulla secretes catacholamines to prepare the body for physical activity and boost glucose levels. The adrenal cortex secretes corticosteroids such as mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, & sex steroids |
What is the function of the pancreas? | As an endocrine gland, the alpha cells secrete glucagon, beta cells secrete insulin, & delta cells secrete somatostatin |
What is gigantism? | Hypersecretion of growth hormone during a child's growing years resulting in rapid, excessive skeletal growth |
What is acromegaly? | Hypersecretion of growth hormone, after the epiphysial plates have fused, forming new bone, causing the hands, feet, face, & jaw to enlarge |
What is pituitary dwarfism? | Hyposecretion of growth hormone while a child is still growing causing stunted growth. Usually treated with growth hormone injections |
What is seasonal affective disorder? | Occurring during winter months, when sunlight is limited, high levels of melatonin cause sleepiness, depression, irritability, & carb cravings. |
What is cretinism? | If a child is born without a thyroid gland, the lack of TH causes retarded growth & sexual development, low metabolic rate, & mental retardation |
What is myxedema | Prolonged hyposecretion of TH later in life causing weight gain, hair loss, fatigue, & swelling & firmness of the skin |
What is Graves' disease? | Hypersecretion of TH that stimulates the body's metabolism, causing unexplained weight loss, increased heart rate, nervousness, & exophthalmos |
What is simple goiter? | An enlarged thyroid gland due to dietary deficiency of iodine. Without iodine, the production of TH falls |
What is tetany? | Caused by hypocalcemia, it is the sustained contraction of a muscle |
What is carpopedal spasm? | A cardinal sign of hypocalcemia, it is tetany of the hands and feet |
What are the effects of hypocalcemia? | Nerve & muscle cells become more excitable. This leads to muscle tremors, spasms, or tetany. A further drop in calcium can cause the muscles of the larynx to spasm enough to stop airflow |
What are the effects of hypercalcemia? | Fewer sodium ions flow in & the cells becomes less responsive, resulting in muscle weakness, sluggish reflexes, & in severe cases, cardiac arrest |
What is Cushing syndrome? | Hypersecretion of cortisol from the adrenal gland, causing "moon face", "buffalo hump", hyperglycemia, muscle weakness, edema, & hypertension. Also the hypersecretion of adrenal androgens results in premature puberty & masculine characteristics in women |
What is Addison's disease? | Hyposecretion of mineralocorticoids & glucocorticoids resulting in loss of fluid & electrolytes, weakness, muscle wasting, dehydration, & weight loss. Also called adrenal cortical insufficiency, without treatment, it is life-threatening |
How does aging effect the endocrine system? | There is a decrease in secretion of TH, decrease in metabolism, osteoporosis, gradual rise in fasting glucose levels, decreased muscle mass, & increase in fat storage |
What is the cause of diabetes? | Inadequate amount of insulin or a diminished number of normal insulin receptors |
What are the signs of diabetes? | Hyperglycemia, glycosuria, polyuria, polydipsia, & polyphagia |
What are the complications of diabetes? | If left untreated, it results in fatigue, weight loss, & ketone bodies. This causes nausea, vomiting, fruity odor of the breath, & possibly coma & death. Diabetes damages blood vessels and causes kidney disease |