Endocrine System

Endocrine SystemFlorida State College of Jacksonville – FSCJ

Professor: Michael L. Whitchurch, MHS

HSC 1531 Medical Terminology for Health Professionals

The endocrine system consists of glands that perform very different functions. They are related to each other because they all secrete hormones into the blood.

Organs and glands of the endocrine system secrete hormones to regulate various body functions

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HSC 1531 Medical Terminology for Healthcare ProfessionalsFlorida State College Jacksonville

Professor: Michael L. Whitchurch, MHS, OT/L

Endocrine System at a Glance

Endocrine glands secrete hormones Hormones regulate body activities

Metabolic rate Water and mineral balance Immune system reactions Sexual functioning



Endocrine System at a Glance

Organs of the Endocrine System Adrenal glands Ovaries Pancreas (islets of Langerhans) Thyroid & Parathyroid glands Pineal gland Pituitary gland Testes Thymus gland Thyroid gland



Medical Terminology: A Living Language, Fourth EditionBonnie F. Fremgen and Suzanne S. Frucht

Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458

All rights reserved.



endocrine system



Endocrine System Suffixes

–crine to secrete

–dipsia thirst

–prandial relating to a meal

–tropin stimulate



Anatomy and Physiology

Collection of glands Secrete hormones directly into bloodstream

Chemicals that act on target organs Increase or decrease target’s activity level

Instrumental in maintaining homeostasis Maintain stable internal environment

End

ocrin

e S

yste

m

home/o = same-stasis = condition of standing still; staying in one place



Types of Glands

Two types of glands in bodyExocrine glands and Endocrine glands

Exocrine glands Release secretions into duct that carries them to

outside of body Example: sweat glands

Endocrine glands Release hormones directly into bloodstream Have no ducts, referred to as ductless glands Example: thyroid gland



Glands of the Endocrine System

Adrenal glands – two Parathyroid glands – four Pancreas Pineal gland Pituitary gland Ovaries – two in females Testes – two in males Thymus gland Thyroid gland



Adrenal Glands

Two glands, one located above each kidney Each gland is composed of two sections:

Adrenal cortex

Adrenal medulla



The adrenal glands

adrenal gland cortex and medulla



Adrenal Cortex

Mineralocorticoid Example: aldosterone Regulates sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) levels

Glucocorticoid Example: cortisol Regulates carbohydrates

Steroid sex hormones Androgens, estrogen, and progesterone Regulate secondary sexual characteristics



Adrenal Medulla

Inner portion Secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine

Epinephrine is also called adrenaline Critical during emergency situations

Increases blood pressure Increases heart rate Increases respiration rate



Ovaries

Two ovaries located in pelvic cavity of females

Secrete female sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone

Estrogen is responsible for: Female sexual characteristics Regulation of menstrual cycle

Progesterone Maintains suitable uterine environment for

pregnancy



The ovaries



Testes

Two oval glands located in scrotum

Secrete male sex hormone, testosterone

Testosterone Produces male secondary

sexual characteristics Regulates sperm

production



The testes. The testes.

Medical Terminology for Healthcare ProfessionalsFlorida State College Jacksonville




Pancreas

Located along lower curvature of stomach

Only organ that has

both endocrine and exocrine functions

Pancreas



Pancreas

Exocrine portion Releases digestive enzymes

through duct into duodenum

Endocrine sections of the pancreas Islets of Langerhans Produce insulin and glucagon



Pancreas

Insulin Produced by beta cells Stimulates cells of body to take in glucose from

bloodstream Lowers blood sugar level Occurs after eating a meal and absorbing

carbohydrates



Pancreas

Glucagon Produced by alpha cells Stimulates liver to release stored glucose into

bloodstream Raises blood sugar levels Occurs when body needs more glucose



The pancreas



Diabetes Video



Thyroid Gland

Located on either side of trachea

Resembles a butterfly in shape

Divided into right and left lobes



Thyroid Gland

Thyroid hormonesThyroxine (T4)

Triiodothyronine (T3)

Needs iodine to make hormones These hormones:

Regulate energy productionAdjust metabolic rate



Thyroid Gland

Also secretes calcitonin Regulates level of calcium in bloodstream

If calcium levels in blood rise too high: Calcitonin levels in blood increase Increases deposition of calcium into bone Lowers levels of calcium in bloodstream

Its action is opposite of parathyroid hormone

homeostasis



The thyroid gland is divided into a left and right lobeThe thyroid gland is divided into a left and right lobe





Parathyroid Glands

Four tiny glands Located on dorsal surface

of thyroid gland



Parathyroid Glands

Secretes parathyroid hormone (PTH) Regulates level of calcium in bloodstream

If calcium levels in blood fall too low:Parathyroid hormone levels in the blood

increase Stimulate bone breakdown Releasing more calcium into bloodstream



The parathyroid glands.



Endocrine Glands of the Brain

Pineal gland

Pituita

ry gland



Pineal Gland

Small pine cone-shaped gland Part of thalamus region of brain



Pineal Gland

Secretes melatonin Not well understood, but

plays a role in regulating body’s circadian rhythm 24-hour clock that governs

periods of wakefulness and sleepiness



The pineal gland is a part of the thalamus region of the brain.



Pituitary Gland

Small marble-shaped gland

Located underneath brain

Divided into anterior and posterior lobes

Regulated by hypothalamus

Pituitary gland

The anterior pituitary gland produces and secretes seven different hormones.

The posterior pituitary gland stores and secretes two hormones that are actually produced by the hypothalamus.

Endocrine System | Medical Terminology for Health Professionals



Pituitary gland



Anterior Pituitary

Referred to as “master gland” Secretes hormones that regulate other

endocrine glands

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) Regulates function of thyroid gland

Adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) Regulates function of adrenal cortex



Anterior Pituitary

GonadotropinsFollicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)Luteinizing hormone (LH)

FSH Responsible for development of ova and sperm Also stimulates ovary to secrete estrogen

LH Stimulates secretion of sex hormones Plays a role in releasing ova in females



Anterior Pituitary

Growth hormone (GH) Also called somatotropin Stimulates cells to grow and divide

Prolactin (PRL) Stimulates milk production in breast

Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) Stimulates melanocytes to produce more melanin



The different hormones and target tissues for the anterior pituitary. The different hormones and target tissues for the anterior pituitary.





Posterior Pituitary

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) Also called vasopressin Promotes water re-absorption by the kidney tubules

Oxytocin (OXT) Stimulates uterine contractions during labor and

delivery After birth stimulates release of milk from breast



Thymus Gland

Located in mediastinum Part of immune system Also endocrine gland

Secretes thymosin





Thymus Gland

Thymosin Essential for growth and development of thymic

lymphocytes or T cells Critical part of body’s immune system

Present at birth and grows to largest size during puberty

At puberty begins to shrink and eventually is replaced with connective and adipose tissue







The thymus gland. The thymus gland.

Effects of Hormones

Hormones from the various endocrine glands affect body metabolism, blood glucose, blood calcium, and blood sodium in complementary or opposite ways.

Homeostasis

home/o = same-stasis = condition of standing still; staying in one place Endocrine System | Medical Terminology for Health Professionals



Word Building with adren/o & adrenal/o

–ectomy adrenalectomy removal of adrenal gland

–itis adrenalitisinflammation of adrenal gland

–al adrenalpertaining to adrenal gland

–megaly adrenomegaly enlarged adrenal gland

–pathy adrenopathy adrenal gland disease



Word Building with calc/o & crin/o

endo– –ologist endocrinologistspecialist in endocrine system

endo– –pathy endocrinopathyendocrine system disease

hyper– –emia hypercalcemiaexcessive calcium in blood

hypo– –emia hypocalcemia low calcium in blood



Word Building with glyc/o, kal/i, & natr/o

hyper– –emia hyperkalemiaexcessive potassium in blood

hyper– –emia hyperglycemiaexcessive sugar in blood

hypo– –emia hypoglycemia low sugar in blood

hypo– –emia hyponatremia low sodium in blood



Word Building with parathyroid/o & pancreat/o

–ic pancreatic pertaining to pancreas

–al parathyroidalpertaining to parathyroid

–ectomy parathyroidectomy removal of parathyroid

hyper– –ism

hyperparathyroidismstate of excessive parathyroid

hypo–

–ismhypoparathyroidism

state of insufficient parathyroid



Word Building with pituitar/o & thym/o

–ic thymic pertaining to thymus

–ectomy thymectomy removal of thymus

–itis thymitis inflammation of thymus

–oma thymoma thymus tumor

–ary pituitary pertaining to pituitary

hypo– –ism hypopituitarism state of low pituitary

hyper– –ism hyperpituitarismstate of excessive pituitary



Word Building with thyr/o & thyroid/o

–al thyroidal pertaining to thyroid

–ectomy thyroidectomy removal of thyroid

hyper– –ism hyperthyroidismstate of excessive thyroid

hypo– –ism hypothyroidism state of low thyroid

–megaly thyromegaly enlarged thyroid



Endocrine System Vocabulary

acidosis excessive acidity of body fluids

edema excessive fluid in body tissues

endocrinologydiagnosis and treatment of conditions of endocrine glands

exophthalmos protruding eyeballs

gynecomastia development of breast tissue in males

hirsutism excessive amount of hair

exophthalmos

Exophthalmos is a well-known sign of hyperthyroidism. Edema behind the eyeballs causes them to bulge and protrude forward, and the large amount of white sclerae makes the eyes appear to be staring.

Custom Medical Stock Photo, Inc.




Endocrine System Vocabulary

hypersecretionexcessive hormone production by endocrine gland

hyposecretioninsufficient hormone production by endocrine gland

obesity having abnormal amount of fat

syndromegroup of symptoms and signs that combine to present a clinical picture of disease or condition



Adrenal Gland Pathology

Two glands, one located above each kidney Each gland is composed of two sections:

Adrenal cortex

Adrenal medulla




Addison’s disease

hyposecretion of adrenal cortex; symptoms include generalized weakness and weight loss

adrenal feminization

hypersecretion of estrogen by adrenal cortex in males; develops female secondary sexual characteristics like gynecomastia

adrenal virilism

hypersecretion of testosterone by adrenal cortex in females; develops male secondary sexual characteristics




Cushing’s syndrome

hypersecretion of adrenal cortex; symptoms include weakness, edema, excess hair growth, and osteoporosis

pheochromocytoma

hypersecretion of epinephrine by adrenal medulla tumor; usually benign; symptoms include anxiety, heart palpitations, dyspnea, and headache




(Biophoto Associates/ Science Source/Photo Researchers, Inc.)


(Biophoto Associates/ Science Source/Photo Researchers, Inc.)


(a) This patient shows the characteristic signs of Cushing’s syndrome. Deposits of fat in the cheeks give a moon face appearance. Breakdown of protein in the connective tissues of the skin makes the skin thin, allowing blood vessels to show through and give the cheeks a reddened appearance.

Biophoto Associates/Science Source/Photo Researchers, Inc.



(b) The abdomen is obese, while the extremities are thin and there is muscle wasting and weakness. Dark facial hair and amenorrhea occur only with Cushing’s disease.

Biophoto Associates/Science Source/Photo Researchers, Inc.




Pancreas Pathology

diabetes mellitus (DM)

Chronic disorder of carbohydrate metabolism

Results in hyperglycemia and glycosuria

Two very distinct types:

- insulin-dependent

- non-insulin-dependent



Diabetes Mellitus

Insulin-dependent

diabetes mellitus (IDDM)

Also called Type 1 Develops early in life Destruction of islet cells Person makes too little

insulin Must take insulin injections

Non-insulin-dependent diabetes

mellitus (NIDDM)

Also called Type 2 Develops later in life Person makes enough

insulin, but it has lost ability to regulate cells

Do not take insulin Treated by diet, exercise, and

oral medications



Diabetes Video



Pancreas Pathology

diabetic retinopathy

accumulation of damage to retina; complication of diabetes mellitus

ketoacidosisacidosis due to excess of acidic ketone bodies; serious complication of diabetes mellitus

peripheral neuropathy

damage to nerves in lower legs and hands as a result of diabetes mellitus

insulinomaislet of Langerhans tumor; secretes excessive amount of insulin



Parathyroid Gland Pathology

tetany

nerve irritability and painful muscle cramps due to hypocalcemia; may be caused by hypoparathyroidism

Recklinghausen disease

hypersecretion of parathyroid hormone; causes degeneration of bones



Pituitary Gland Pathology

acromegalychronic hypersecretion of growth hormone in adults; causes enlargement of bones of head and extremities

diabetes insipidus (DI)

hyposecretion of antidiuretic hormone; symptoms include polyuria and polydipsia

dwarfismhyposecretion of growth hormone in children; causes short stature

acromegaly

Increased levels of growth hormone (GH) in adulthood cause the face and extremities to widen rather than grow longer. The foot on the left is normal. The foot on the right shows acromegaly with enlargement and widening.

NMSB/Custom Medical Stock Photo, Inc.




Acromegaly. The hand on the right is from a normal person, the hand on the left is a person with acromegaly.

(Bart's Medical Library/Phototake NYC)

Acromegaly. The hand on the right is from a normal person, the hand on the left is a person with acromegaly.

(Bart's Medical Library/Phototake NYC)



Pituitary Gland Pathology

gigantismhypersecretion of growth hormone in child; results in very tall adult

panhypopituitarism

hyposecretion of all pituitary hormones; results in problems with the glands controlled by pituitary gland

gigantism

The tallest man who ever lived suffered from gigantism. His name was Robert Wadlow. He was born in 1918 in Illinois and was of average weight and length at birth. By the time he was 18 years old, he was 8’11” and weighed 491 pounds. He wore size 37AA shoes that were over 18” in length. He died in 1940, at the age of 22. The tallest living man now is Bao Xishun, a herdsman in Mongolia, China. He was born in 1951 and is 7’9”.

CORBIS-NY




panhypopituitarismpanhypopituitarism



Thyroid Gland Pathology

cretinismcongenital hyposecretion of thyroid; results in poor physical and mental development

goiter enlarged thyroid gland

Graves’ diseasehypersecretion of thyroid; symptoms include exophthalmos and goiter

goiter

A goiter can be a mild, subtle swelling in the neck, or it can enlarge enough to cause difficulty swallowing and breathing.

Marka/Custom Medical Stock Photo, Inc.


Palpation of thyroid gland

The anterior location of the thyroid gland means that even mild enlargement can be detected. This physician is palpating the edges of the patient’s thyroid gland to determine its size.

Pearson Education/PH College




Medical Terminology: A Living Language, Fourth EditionBonnie F. Fremgen and Suzanne S. Frucht

Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458

All rights reserved.

Goiter



Thyroid Gland Pathology

Hashimoto’s disease

autoimmune destruction of thyroid; results in hyposecretion disorder

myxedemahyposecretion disorder in adult; symptoms include anemia, edema, and mental lethargy

thyrotoxicosismarked hypersecretion; symptoms include rapid heart rate, tremors, thyromegaly, and weight loss



Endocrine Gland Pathology

adenocarcinoma

cancerous tumor in gland that produces hormones secreted by that gland; results in hypersecretion pathologies



Clinical Laboratory Tests

blood serum testmeasures level of substances, such as calcium, glucose, or hormones, in blood

total calciummeasures calcium in blood; used to diagnose parathyroid or bone disorders

radioimmunoassay (RIA)

measures levels of hormones in blood




fasting blood sugar (FSB)

measures glucose in bloodstream after 12-hour fast

glucose tolerance test (GTT)

measures blood sugar level over several hours after person drinks large dose of glucose

two-hour postprandial glucose tolerance test

measures blood glucose level two hours after a meal




protein bound iodine test (PBI)

measures T4 blood level; iodine in the hormone becomes bound to blood proteins

thyroid function test (TFT)

measures levels of T3, T4, and TSH in blood



Diagnostic Imaging

thyroid echogram

ultrasound image of thyroid gland

thyroid scannuclear medicine image based on accumulation of radioactive iodine in thyroid gland



Medical Treatments

chemical thyroidectomy

large dose of radioactive iodine is given to kill a portion of the thyroid gland; avoids surgery

hormone replacement therapy

administering replacement hormones; treats hyposecretion disorders



Surgical Treatments

laparoscopic adrenalectomy

removal of adrenal gland through small abdominal laparoscopic incision

lobectomy removal of a lobe of thyroid gland



Endocrine System Pharmacology

antithyroid agents

blocks production of thyroid hormones

Tapazole

corticosteroidsreplaces adrenal cortex hormones

Deltasone

human growth hormone therapy

replaces growth hormone

Genotropin, Protropin



Endocrine System Pharmacology

insulintreats type 1 diabetes mellitus

Humulin L

oral hypoglycemic agents

decreases blood sugar in type 2 diabetics

Glucophage, Glucotrol

thyroid replacement hormone

replaces thyroid hormones

Levo-T, Cytomel

vasopressin treats diabetes insipidusDesmopressin, Vaprisol

Endocrine System

Health & Medicine

Transcript of Endocrine System