1. 34
The Endocrine System

2. Language for Health Care
Medical Terminology
Language for Health Care
3rd Edition
Chapter 8

3. Learning Outcomes
34.4 Describe the causes, signs and symptoms, and treatments of various endocrine disorders.

4. Objectives Part 2 Objectives cont'd
15.5 List and define the major pathological conditions of the endocrine system
15.6 Define surgical terms related to the endocrine system
15.7 Recognize common pharmacological agents used in treating disorders of the endocrine system

5. Common Diseases and Disorders of the Endocrine System
Disease/Disorder
Description
Acromegaly
Enlargement of bones and thickened skin
Causes: Too much growth hormone produced in adults; tumor of pituitary
Addison’s disease
Adrenal gland fails to produce enough corticosteroids
Cause is unknown – possibly an autoimmune dysfunction; cancer
Learning Outcome: 34.4 Describe the causes, signs and symptoms, and treatments of various endocrine disorders.
Refer to TABLE 34-2 Endocrine System Diseases/Conditions: Quick Reference Guide.

6. Common Diseases and Disorders of the Endocrine System (cont.)
Disease/Disorder
Description
Cushing’s disease
Moon face, buffalo hump, thin arms and legs; large abdomen
Hypercortisolism
Causes: excessive production of ACTH; tumor of the adrenal gland or pituitary gland; long term use of steroids
Diabetes insipidus
Kidneys fail to reabsorb water, resulting in excessive urination
Cause: hyposecretion of ADH
Learning Outcome: 34.4 Describe the causes, signs and symptoms, and treatments of various endocrine disorders.
Refer to TABLE 34-2 Endocrine System Diseases/Conditions: Quick Reference Guide.

7. Common Diseases and Disorders of the Endocrine System (cont.)
Disease/Disorder
Description
Diabetes mellitus
Type I
Type II
Gestational
Chronic disease characterized by elevated blood glucose levels
Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus; usually develops in childhood
Noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus; primarily in adults but increased incidence in teens
Occurs during pregnancy; usually temporary
Learning Outcome: 34.4 Describe the causes, signs and symptoms, and treatments of various endocrine disorders.
Diabetes mellitus – caused by the production of too little or no insulin by the pancreas.
Other causes include body cells having too few insulin receptors, obesity, high blood pressure, pregnancy, and high cholesterol levels in the blood.
Refer to CONNECT to see animations about Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes
Refer to TABLE 34-2 Endocrine System Diseases/Conditions: Quick Reference Guide.

8. Common Diseases and Disorders of the Endocrine System (cont.)
Disease/Disorder
Description
Dwarfism
Short height, abnormal facial features, cleft lip or palate, delayed puberty
Causes: Too little growth hormone produced during childhood; trauma to or tumor of the pituitary gland
Learning Outcome: 34.4 Describe the causes, signs and symptoms, and treatments of various endocrine disorders.
TABLE 34-2 Endocrine System Diseases/Conditions: Quick Reference Guide.

9. Common Diseases and Disorders of the Endocrine System (cont.)
Disease/Disorder
Description
Gigantism
Very tall, delayed sexual maturity, thick facial bones
Causes: Too much growth hormone produced during childhood; pituitary gland tumor
Goiter
Enlargement of thyroid gland, causing swelling in neck
Cause: deficiency of iodine in diet
Learning Outcome: 34.4 Describe the causes, signs and symptoms, and treatments of various endocrine disorders.
Goiter
Iodine is needed for the thyroid to produce thyroid hormones.
Refer to TABLE 34-2 Endocrine System Diseases/Conditions: Quick Reference Guide.

10. Common Diseases and Disorders of the Endocrine System (cont.)
Disease/Disorder
Description
Graves’ disease
Hyperthyroidism
Exophthalmos; goiter
Causes: antibodies attack the thyroid gland, causing it to produce too much thyroid hormone; autoimmune disorder
Learning Outcome: 34.4 Describe the causes, signs and symptoms, and treatments of various endocrine disorders.
Refer to CONNECT to see an animation about Hyperthyroidism
Refer to TABLE 34-2 Endocrine System Diseases/Conditions: Quick Reference Guide.

11. Common Diseases and Disorders (cont.)
Disease/Disorder
Description
Cretinism
Severe hypothyroidism present prior to or soon after birth
Causes: absence or malformation of thyroid gland; abnormal formation of thyroid hormones; pituitary failure
Myxedema
Severe form of hypothyroidism
Causes: removal of thyroid gland; radiation treatments to neck; obesity; may be congenital
Learning Outcome: 34.4 Describe the causes, signs and symptoms, and treatments of various endocrine disorders.
Cretinism – stunted growth, abnormal bone formation, mental retardation
Myxedema – a severe type of hypothyroidism that is most common in females over age 50.
Refer to TABLE 34-2 Endocrine System Diseases/Conditions: Quick Reference Guide.

12. Pituitary Abnormalities
Pathological Terms
Pituitary Abnormalities
Most endocrine conditions are the result of hypersecretion or hyposecretion of one or more hormones.
acromegaly
dwarfism
Pituitary
Abnormalities
Hypersecretion of the growth hormone which may result in gigantism
Hyposecretion of the growth hormone which causes stunted growth
diabetes insipidus
syndrome of inappropriate ADH
Hyposecretion of the antidiuretic (ADH) hormone which causes polyuria and polydipsia
Hypersecretion of the antidiuretic hormone (ADH) which causes excessive water to be retained

13. Thyroid Conditions Pathological Terms Thyroid Conditions
Hyperthyroidism
Hypothyroidism
Also known as Graves’ disease or thyrotoxicosis
Overactive thyroid secretions may cause exophthalmos (bulging of the eyes)
A goiter may also form due to oversecretion of thyroid gland
Underactive thyroid secretion
Signs include slow pulse, sluggishness, and often obesity
Types of hypothyroidism include:
-myxedema
-congenital hypothyroidism
Both can be treated with synthetic hormones

14. Parathyroid Conditions
Pathological Terms
Parathyroid Conditions
Parathyroid Conditions
The parathyroid glands help control calcium levels which contribute to bone growth and muscular health.
Hyperparathyroidism
Hypoparathyroidism
Over activity of the parathyroid glands
Usually caused by a tumor
Symptoms may include the following:
-bone loss
-kidney failure
Under activity of the parathyroid glands causing low blood calcium levels
Common symptoms include the following:
-bone loss
-tetany (muscle paralysis)

15. Adrenal Conditions Pathological Terms Adrenal Conditions
Hyperadrenalism
Hypoadrenalism
Overactive adrenal gland secretion
May be caused by a tumor
Adrenogenital syndrome results in symptoms of excessive androgens affecting both men and women
Symptoms may include hirsuitism, and virilism
Under secretion of the adrenal gland
Also known as Addison’s disease
Symptoms may include:
- anemia
- abnormal skin pigment
- general malaise

16. Pancreatic Conditions
Pathological Terms
Pancreatic Conditions
Pancreatic Conditions
I’m so tired
and hungry
Pancreatitis
Inflammation of the pancreas
Hypoglycemia
Caused by hypersecretion of insulin
Blood sugar levels below normal deprive the body cells of needed glucose
Can be controlled with dietary changes

17. Diabetes Mellitus Pathological Terms Diabetes Mellitus Type I Type II
Can be due to hyposecretion of insulin
Affects about 4% of the U. S. population
Type I
Type II
Insulin-dependent diabetes
Occurs in childhood
Results from underproduction of insulin
Controlled with doses of insulin
Noninsulin-dependent diabetes
Usually results in overweight people
Several physical complications such as:
-infection
-diabetic nephropathy
-diabetic neuropathy
-diabetic retinopathy
Controlled with exercise and diet

18. Apply Your Knowledge ANSWER: Correct! True or False:
___ Acromegaly develops as a result of too much growth hormone in a child.
___ In diabetes insipidus, the kidneys fail to reabsorb water.
___ Too little growth hormone in childhood results in dwarfism.
___ Myxedema is the result of hyperthyroidism.
___ Addison’s disease is the result of too little corticosteroid.
___ Cushing’s disease is the result of too little ACTH.
___ Cretinism is an extreme form of hyperthyroidism present at birth.
ANSWER: F
in an adult T T F
Learning Outcome: 34.4 Describe the causes, signs and symptoms, and treatments of various endocrine disorders.
hypothyroidism T
too much ACTH F F
hypothyroidism

19. Surgical Terms Surgical Terms
Certain endocrine glands that become diseased can be removed
Common Procedures
adenectomy
adrenalectomy
hypophysectomy
pancreatectomy
parathyroidectomy
thymectomy
thyroidectomy

20. Hormone Replacement Therapy
Pharmacological Terms
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Used to treat hormonal deficiencies
Examples include synthetic
-thyroid
-estrogen
-testosterone
insulin
Antihypoglycemic
Antihyperglycemic
Prevents or relieves severe hypoglycemia
Example
-dextrose
Lowers the blood sugar
Example
-insulin

21. Pharmacological Terms
Radioactive Iodine
Radioactive iodine
Used to treat thyroid tumors
Human growth hormone
Increases height in cases of abnormal lack of growth
Example
-somatotropin
Steroid
Increases growth
Example
-prednisone

22. Apply Your Knowledge Apply Your Knowledge3. 1.
Hypothalamus 4.
Pituitary gland
Identify the following labeled endocrine organs 2. 5. 6. 7.
pineal gland
parathyroid gland
hypothalamus
pituitary gland
thymus
adrenal gland
pancreas
ovary 8.

23. Apply Your Knowledge Part 2
Which of the following endocrine glands is located in the sella turcica?
A. Pineal
B. Pituitary
C. Adrenal
Answer: B. Pituitary

24. Apply Your Knowledge Part 3
A lack of which of the following nutrients in the bloodstream will adversely affect the body’s metabolism?
A. carbohydrates
B. sodium
C. iodine
Answer: C. iodine

25. Apply Your Knowledge Part 4
Carrie, age 5 has been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. Which type of diabetes would she more than likely have?
A. insulin-dependent
B. noninsulin-dependent
C. Type II
Answer: A. insulin-dependent

26. In Summary
34.4 The diseases and disorders of the endocrine system are as varied as the organs and hormone dysfunctions that cause them. An overview of these conditions is found in Table 34-2.

27. Its not stress that kills us, it is our reaction to it.
End of Chapter 34
Its not stress that kills us, it is our reaction to it.
~ Hans Selye