Endocrine System

1
Endocrine System

• A biochemical communication network through which
  several small glands control a broad range of
  vital body activities.

2
Endocrine System

• Made up of the ductless glands of internal
  secretion of hormones
• Include
• Pituitary
• Thyroid
• Parathyroid
• Adrenals
• Ovaries
• Testes
• Pineal body
• Pancreas

3
Anatomy, Physiology and Function of the Pituitary
Gland

• Exerts control over all other glands called the
  master gland
• Controlled by the hypothalamus which controls the
  release of 6 hormones

4
Location of Pituitary Gland

• Lies protected within the sphenoid bone in the
  sella turcica.
• About the size of a pea.

5
Anatomy, Physiology and Function of the Pituitary
Gland

• Made up of two separate glands
• Anterior lobe
• Secretes the growth hormone, TSH, ACTH, and other
  hormones which affect the sex organs.
• Develops as an upward extension of the pharynx
• Posterior lobe
• Produces vasopressin, oxytoxin and ADH
• Develops as a downward extension of the brain

6
Pathology of the Pituitary Gland

• Hyperpituitarism
• Excessive secretion of the growth hormone
• Results in acromegaly or Gigantism

7
Pathology of the Pituitary Gland

• Hypopitutarism
• Insufficient production and secretion of the
  growth hormone
• Results in dwarfism

8
Anatomy, Physiology and Function of the Thyroid
Gland

• Composed of two pear shaped lobes separated by a
  middle strip of tissue called the isthmus (often
  resembles a butterfly)
• Crosses in front of the second and third tracheal
  cartilages (lies just below the Adams apple)

9
Anatomy, Physiology and Function of the Thyroid
Gland

• Consist of tiny sacs or follicles that are filled
  with a gelatinous yellow fluid called colloid
• The colloid contains the hormone secreted by the
  thyroid

10
Function of the Thyroid Gland

• Secretion of two iodine-laden hormones,
• Thyroxine
• Triiodthyronine
• Considered the growth hormones
• Helps maintain metabolism
• Also produces calcitonin
• Produces a decrease in concentration of calcium
  in the blood serum

11
Pathology of the Thyroid Gland

• Best diagnosed with Radioactive Thyroid scans in
  Nuclear Medicine

12
Pathology of the Thyroid Gland

• Hyperthyroidism
• Overdevelopment or enlargement of the thyroid
• Excessive secretion of thyroid hormone which
  develops into Graves disease
• Exophthalmoses, a protrusion of the eyes caused
  by fatty tissue edema behind the eyes is present

13
Pathology of the Thyroid Gland

• Hypothyroidism
• Underdevelopment of the thyroid gland and a
  deficiency of the thyroid hormone
• Most commonly effects the metabolic rate which
  makes it very low in activity

14
Pathology of the Thyroid Gland

• Nontoxic Goiter
• Enlargement of the thyroid with normal or low
  thyroid function
• Caused by an iodine deficiency
• May be geographically related

15
Treatment for Goiters

• Surgical excision of the tumor is the first line
  treatment

16
Pathology of the Thyroid Gland

• Thyroid adenoma
• Benign neoplasm of the thyroid

17
Pathology of the Thyroid Gland

• Thyroid Carcinoma
• Cancerous tumors of the thyroid gland

18
Anatomy, Physiology and Function of the
Parathyroid Glands

• Small round glands ( 2 on each side), that lie
  behind the thyroid gland
• Regulates the calcium and phosphorus content of
  the blood and bones

19
Pathology of the Parathyroid Gland

• Hypoparathyroidism
• The functioning of the parathyroid glands is
  decreased
• Causes muscular contraction
• Most likely all four lobes will be removed for
  treatment

20
Pathology of the Parathyroid Gland

• Hyperparathyroidism
• Excessive secretion of parathormone levels leads
  to increased calcium in the blood
• Causes bone reabsorption to be hindered therefore
  resulting in a loss of bone density

21
Anatomy, Physiology and Function of the Adrenal
Glands

• Lies just superior to each kidney and looks much
  like a cap perched on top of them
• Produce steroids which assist in metabolizing
  fats, carbohydrates and proteins

22
Components of the Adrenal Glands

• Cortex
• Produce glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids
• Metabolizing fats, carbohydrates and proteins
• Produces male and female hormones
• Medulla
• Produces epinephrine or norepinephrine which aids
  the body in meeting stressful situations

23
Pathology of the Adrenal Gland

• Neuroblastoma
• A tumor of the adrenal medulla
• Second most common malignancy in children under
  age 5

24
Pathology of the Adrenal Gland

• Cushings Syndorme
• Hyperplasia of the adrenal cortex or a tumor
  related to the adrenal cortex may cause
• Causes the body to enlarge in the trunk and the
  patients tend to have a round or moon-shaped
  face
• Also causes a fat pad to form on the shoulders
  creating a buffalo hump

25
Pathology of the Adrenal Gland

• Adrenal Carcinoma
• Cancer of the adrenal glands
• Usually grow very rapidly
• Treated by surgery

26
Pancreas

• The organ in the body that is responsible for the
  release of insulin
• Lack of insulin prevents glucose from entering
  cells, thus causing glucose levels to increase.
• As a result the patient develops diabetes
  mellitus

27

• THE END