The Language of Medicine

13th edition
Davi-Ellen Chabner

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 Chapter 18
Endocrine System

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 Chapter Goals (Slide 1 of 2)
• Identify the endocrine glands and their
hormones.
• Gain an understanding of the functions
of these hormones in the body.
• Analyze medical terms related to the
endocrine glands and their hormones.

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 Chapter Goals (Slide 2 of 2)
• Identify abnormal conditions resulting from
excessive and deficient secretions of the
endocrine glands.
• Describe laboratory tests and clinical
procedures related to endocrinology, and
recognize relevant abbreviations.
• Apply your new knowledge to understanding
medical terms in their proper contexts, such
as medical reports and records.

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Chapter 18
Lesson 18.1

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 Introduction
Endocrine System (Slide 1 of 2)
• Glands release hormones.
• Hormones regulate the many and varied
functions of an organism.
• Hormones bind to receptors.
• Receptors are recognition sites in the
various target tissues on which hormones
act.

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 Introduction
Endocrine System (Slide 2 of 2)
• ENDOCRINE glands—
Secrete their hormones directly into the
bloodstream
• EXOCRINE glands—
Send chemical substances (tears, sweat,
milk, saliva) via ducts to the outside of the
body

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 Endocrine Glands
• Thyroid gland
• Parathyroid glands (four glands)
• Adrenal glands (one pair)
• Pancreas (islets of Langerhans)
• Pituitary gland
• Ovaries (one pair)
• Testes (one pair)
• Pineal gland

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 The Endocrine System
• Exocrine glands include the following:
• Thyroid gland
• Parathroid glands (four glands)
• Adrenal glands (one pair)
• Pancreas (islet of Langerhans)
• Pituitary gland
• Ovaries in female (one pair)
• Testes in male (one pair)
• Pineal gland
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Endocrine Tissue (Not including major
glands)

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 Thyroid Gland (Slide 1 of 2)
• Anatomical structures of the thyroid gland:
• Thyroid
• Trachea
• Thyroid cartilage
• Isthmus

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Thyroid Gland (Slide 2 of 2)

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 Thyroid Function
• There are two hormones:
Thyroxine or tetraiodothyronine (T4)
Triiodothyronine (T3).
• Thyroid hormones aid cells in their uptake
of oxygen and regulate metabolic rate.
• Calcitonin: stimulates calcium to leave
the blood and enter the bone.

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 Thyroid Gland:
Hormones and Actions

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Parathyroid Glands (Slide 1 of 3)

• Parathyroid glands are four small oval

bodies located on the dorsal aspect of
the thyroid gland.

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Parathyroid Glands (Slide 2 of 3)

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Parathyroid Glands (slide 3 of 3)

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 Parathyroid Function
• Parathyroid hormone (PTH): causes
calcium to mobilize from bones into the
bloodstream

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Adrenal Glands (Slide 1 of 2)
• Adrenal glands are located on top of
each kidney. Each gland consists of two
parts:
• Adrenal cortex (outer portion)
• Adrenal medulla (inner portion)

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Adrenal Glands (Slide 2 of 2)

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 Adrenal Glands:
Location and Structure
Each gland has two parts
An outer portion, the adrenal cortex
• Secretes corticosteriods or steriods,
chemicals derived from cholesterol

An inner portion, adrenal medulla

• Secretes catecholamines
chemicals derived from amino acids

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 Function:
Adrenal Cortex Secretes
• Glucocorticoids: influence metabolism of sugars,
fats, and proteins (cortisol) and are anti-inflammatory
(cortisone). Influences—SUGAR

• Mineralocorticoids: regulate electrolytes

Aldosterone: reabsorption of
sodium/excretion of potassium. Influences—
SALT
• Sex Hormones: androgens (testosterone) and
estrogens influence secondary sex
characteristics
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 Function:
Adrenal Medulla Secretes
• Two types of catecholamine hormones
Epinephrine (adrenaline): increases heart rate
and blood pressure, dilates bronchial tubes,
releases glucose from storage

Norepinephrine (noradrenaline): constricts

vessels to raise blood pressure

Both are sympathomimetic agents.

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 The Adrenal Cortex
and Adrenal Medulla

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 Pancreas
• Located near and partially behind the stomach
• Exocrine and endocrine organ

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 Pancreas Function (Slide 1 of 2)
Endocrine function
• Islets of Langerhans produce:
Insulin: promotes movement of glucose into
cells and promotes storage as glycogen
Glucagon: promotes movement of glucose
into the blood by breaking down glycogen
stored in liver cells

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Pancreas Function (Slide 2 of 2)

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Chapter 18
Lesson 18.2

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 Pituitary Gland (Slide 1 of 3)
• Pea-sized gland in depression of skull (sella
turcica) also called the hypophysis
Anterior lobe (adenohypophysis)
Posterior lobe (neurohypophysis)
• Hypothalamus controls secretions of the
pituitary via releasing factors (hormones)

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Pituitary Gland (Slide 2 of 3)

• The pituitary gland consists of two

distinct parts:
• Anterior lobe or adenohypophysis
• Posterior lobe or neurohypophysis

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Pituitary Gland (Slide 3 of 3)

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Relationship of the Hypothalamus to the
Pituitary Gland

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 Pituitary Function (Slide 1 of 2)
• Anterior pituitary
Growth hormone (GH) or somatotropin (STH)
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH; thyrotropin)
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
Gonadotropic hormones (FSH, LH)
Prolactin (PRL)

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 Pituitary Function (Slide 2 of 2)
• Posterior pituitary: stores and releases
hormones synthesized in the hypothalamus
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH; vasopressin)
Oxytocin (OT)

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Pituitary Gland: Hormones and Actions

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 Ovaries and
Testes: Hormones and Actions

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 Male Female
Testes Ovaries
• Hormone: • Hormones: estrogen
testosterone and progesterone
Maintains germ Maintains menstrual
cell formation cycle, release of ovum,
and secondary secondary sexual
sexual characteristics,
characteristics preparation of uterus
for pregnancy

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Vocabulary – Major Endocrine Glands
(Slide 1 of 4)

Term
adrenal cortex
adrenal medulla
ovaries
pancreas

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 Vocabulary – Major Endocrine Glands
(Slide 2 of 4)
Term Meaning/Definition
adrenal cortex Outer section of each adrenal gland; secretes
cortisol, aldosterone, and sex hormones
adrenal medulla Inner section of each adrenal gland; secretes
epinephrine and norepinephrine
ovaries Located in the lower abdomen of female;
responsible for egg production and estrogen
and progesterone secretion
pancreas Located behind the stomach

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Vocabulary – Major Endocrine Glands
(Slide 3 of 4)

Term
parathyroid glands
pituitary gland (hypophysis)
testes
thyroid gland

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 Vocabulary – Major Endocrine Glands
(Slide 4 of 4)
Term Meaning/Definition
parathyroid Four small glands on the posterior of the
glands thyroid gland
pituitary gland Located at the base of brain in the sella
(hypophysis) turcica
testes Two glands enclosed in the scrotal sac of a
male; responsible for sperm production
and testosterone secretion
thyroid gland Located in the neck on either side of the
trachea; secretes thyroxine,
triiodothyronine, and calcitonin

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Vocabulary – Hormones (Slide 1 of 14)

Term
adrenaline
(epinephrine)
adrenocortico-
tropic hormone
(ACTH)
aldosterone
androgen

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 Vocabulary – Hormones (Slide 2 of 14)
Term Meaning/Definition
adrenaline Secreted by the adrenal medulla;
(epinephrine) increases heart rate and blood pressure
adrenocortico- Secreted by the anterior lobe of the
tropic hormone pituitary gland; stimulates adrenal cortex
(ACTH)
aldosterone Secreted by the adrenal cortex; increases
salt reabsorption
androgen Male hormone secreted by the testes and
adrenal cortex (to a lesser extent)

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Vocabulary – Hormones (Slide 3 of 14)

Term
antidiuretic
hormone (ADH)
calcitonin
cortisol
epinephrine
(adrenaline)

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 Vocabulary – Hormones (Slide 4 of 14)
Term Meaning/Definition
antidiuretic Secreted by the posterior lobe of the
hormone (ADH) pituitary gland; increases reabsorption of
water by kidney
calcitonin Secreted by the thyroid gland; decreases
blood calcium levels
cortisol Secreted by the adrenal cortex; increases
blood sugar
epinephrine Secreted by the adrenal medulla;
(adrenaline) increases heart rate and blood pressure

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Vocabulary – Hormones (Slide 5 of 14)

Term
estradiol
estrogen
follicle-
stimulating
hormone (FSH)
glucagons

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 Vocabulary – Hormones (Slide 6 of 14)
Term Meaning/Definition
estradiol Estrogen secreted by the ovaries
estrogen Female hormone secreted by the ovaries
and adrenal cortex (to lesser extent)
follicle- Secreted by the anterior lobe of the
stimulating pituitary gland; stimulates hormone
hormone (FSH) secretion and egg production by ovaries
and sperm production by testes
glucagons Secreted by alpha islet cells of pancreas;
increases blood sugar

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Vocabulary – Hormones (Slide 7 of 14)

Term
growth
hormone (GH);
somatotropin
insulin
luteinizing
hormone (LH)

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 Vocabulary – Hormones (Slide 8 of 14)
Term Meaning/Definition
growth Secreted by the anterior lobe of the
hormone (GH); pituitary gland; stimulates growth of
somatotropin bones and soft tissues
insulin Secreted by beta islet cells of pancreas;
helps glucose pass into cells and promotes
conversion of glucose to glycogen
luteinizing Secreted by the anterior lobe of pituitary
hormone (LH) gland; stimulates ovulation in females and
testosterone secretion in males

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Vocabulary – Hormones (Slide 9 of 14)

Term
norepinephrine
oxytocin (OT)
parathormone
(PTH)
progesterone

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 Vocabulary – Hormones (Slide 10 of 14)
Term Meaning/Definition
norepinephrine Secreted by the adrenal medulla;
increases heart rate and blood pressure
oxytocin (OT) Secreted by the posterior lobe of the
pituitary gland; stimulates contraction of
uterus during labor and childbirth
parathormone Secreted by parathyroid glands; increases
(PTH) blood calcium
progesterone Secreted by the ovaries; prepares the
uterus for pregnancy

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Vocabulary – Hormones (Slide 11 of 14)

Term
prolactin (PRL)
somatotropin
(STH)
testosterone
thyroid-
stimulating
hormone (TSH);
thyrotropin

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 Vocabulary – Hormones (Slide 12 of 14)
Term Meaning/Definition
prolactin (PRL) Secreted by the anterior lobe of the
pituitary gland; promotes milk secretion
somatotropin Secreted by the anterior lobe of the
(STH) pituitary gland; growth hormone
testosterone Male hormone secreted by the testes
thyroid- Secreted by the anterior lobe of the
stimulating pituitary gland; promotes thyroid function
hormone (TSH);
thyrotropin

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Vocabulary – Hormones (Slide 13 of 14)

Term
thyroxine (T4)
triiodothyronin
e (T3)
vasopressin

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 Vocabulary – Hormones (Slide 14 of 14)
Term Meaning/Definition
thyroxine (T4) Secreted by the thyroid gland; increases
cell metabolism
triiodothyronin Secreted by the thyroid gland; increases
e (T3) cell metabolism
vasopressin Secreted by the posterior lobe of the
pituitary gland; antidiuretic hormone
(ADH); raises water reabsorption and
raises blood pressure

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Vocabulary – Related Terms (Slide 1 of 8)

Term
catecholamines
corticosteroids
electrolyte
glucocorticoid

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Vocabulary – Related Terms (Slide 2 of 8)
Term Meaning/Definition
catecholamines Hormones derived from an amino acid
and secreted by the adrenal medulla
corticosteroids Hormones produced by the adrenal cortex
electrolyte Mineral salt found in blood and tissues
glucocorticoid Steroid hormone secreted by the adrenal
cortex; regulates glucose, fat, and protein
metabolism

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Vocabulary – Related Terms (Slide 3 of 8)

Term
homeostasis
hormone
hypothalamus
mineralocorticoid

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Vocabulary – Related Terms (Slide 4 of 8)
Term Meaning/Definition
homeostasis Tendency of an organism to maintain a
constant internal environment
hormone Substance secreted by an endocrine
gland to influence structure or function
of an organ or gland
hypothalamus Region of the brain lying below the
thalamus and above the pituitary gland
mineralocorticoid Steroid hormone secreted by the
adrenal cortex to regulate mineral salts
and water balance in the body

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Vocabulary – Related Terms (Slide 5 of 8)

Term
receptor
sella turcica
sex hormones

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Vocabulary – Related Terms (Slide 6 of 8)
Term Meaning/Definition
receptor Cellular or nuclear protein that binds to a
hormone so that a response can be
elicited
sella turcica Cavity in the skull that contains the
pituitary gland
sex hormones Steroids produced by the adrenal cortex
to influence male and female sexual
characteristics

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Vocabulary – Related Terms (Slide 7 of 8)

Term
steroid
sympatho-
mimetic
target tissue

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Vocabulary – Related Terms (Slide 8 of 8)
Term Meaning/Definition
steroid Complex substance related to fats and of
which many hormones are made
sympatho- Pertaining to mimicking or copying the
mimetic effect of the sympathetic nervous system
target tissue Cells of an organ that are affected or
stimulated by specific hormones

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 QUICK QUIZ (Slide 1 of 5)
1. The outer section of each adrenal
gland is the:

A. adrenal medulla
B. adrenal cortex
C. adrenaline
D. adrenocorticotropic hormone

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 QUICK QUIZ (Slide 2 of 5)
2. Secreted by the anterior lobe of the
pituitary gland; stimulates ovulation in
females and testosterone secretion in
males:
A. luteinizing hormone (LH)
B. estrodoil
C. oxytocin
D. prolactin
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Combining Forms, Suffixes, Prefixes, and
Terminology – Glands (Slide 1 of 2)
Combining Form Meaning
aden/o gland
adrenal/o adrenal glands
gonad/o sex glands (ovaries, testes)
pancreat/o pancreas
parathyroid/o parathyroid gland

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Combining Forms, Suffixes, Prefixes, and
Terminology – Glands (Slide 2 of 2)
Combining Form Meaning
pituitar/o pituitary gland; hypophysis
thyr/o thyroid gland
thyroid/o thyroid gland

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 Combining Forms, Suffixes, Prefixes, and
Terminology – Related Forms (Slide 1 of 3)
Combining Form Meaning
andr/o male
calc/o, calici/o calcium
cortic/o cortex, outer region
crin/o secrete
dips/o thirst
estr/o female
gluc/o, glyc/o sugar

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Combining Forms, Suffixes, Prefixes, and
Terminology – Glands (Slide 2 of 3)
Combining Form Meaning
home/o sameness
hormon/o hormone
kal/I potassium (an electrolyte)
lact/o milk
myx/o mucus
natr/o sodium (an electrolyte)

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Combining Forms, Suffixes, Prefixes, and
Terminology – Related Forms
(Slide 3 of 3)
Combining Form Meaning
phys/o growing
somat/o body
ster/o solid structure
toc/o childbirth
toxic/o position
ur/o urine

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Combining Forms, Suffixes, Prefixes, and
Terminology – Suffixes
Suffix Meaning
-agon assemble, gather together
-emia blood condition
-in, -ine a substance
-tropin stimulating the function of
-uria urine condition

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Combining Forms, Suffixes, Prefixes, and
Terminology – Prefixes (Slide 1 of 1)
Prefix Meaning
eu- good, normal
hyper- excessive, above
hypo- deficient, below
oxy- rapid, sharp, acid
pan- all
poly- much or increased
tetra- four
tri three

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 QUICK QUIZ (Slide 3 of 5)
3. Which term means surgical excision
of the adrenal gland (specifically)?

A. Adenectomy
B. Adrenopathy
C. Adrenalectomy
D. Pancreatectomy

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 QUICK QUIZ (Slide 4 of 5)
4. Which term means a blood
condition of too little potassium?

A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hypercalciuria
D. Hypokalemia

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Chapter 18
Lesson 18.3

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 Pathology—Thyroid Gland
Goiter: Enlargement of the thyroid
Hypersecretion
Hyperthyroidism
 Graves’disease
• Exophthalmos and proptosis
Hyposecretion
Hypothyroidism
 Myxedema
 Cretinism
Neoplasms
Thyroid carcinoma
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 Pathology—Parathyroid
Hypersecretion
Hyperparathyroidism
Loss of bone density
Kidney stones
Hypercalcemia

Hyposecretion
Hypoparathyroidism
Muscle and nerve weakness
Tetany
Hypocalcemia
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 Pathology—Adrenal Cortex
Hypersecretion
• Adrenal virilism
Amenorrhea, hirsutism, acne, voice deepening
• Cushing syndrome
Obesity, moonface, thoracic fat deposition
Hyposecretion
• Addison disease
Deficient mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids,
hyponatremia, fatigue, weakness, weight loss, low blood
pressure

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 Pathology—Adrenal Medulla
Hypersecretion
• Pheochromocytoma
Benign tumor of adrenal medulla
Excess epinephrine and norepinephrine
Hypertension, tachycardia, palpitations, severe
headaches, sweating, flushing of the face, and
muscle spasms

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 Pathology—Pancreas
Hypersecretion
• Hyperinsulinism
Hypoglycemia, convulsions, fainting

Hyposecretion
• Diabetes mellitus
Lack of insulin secretion or resistance of insulin in
promoting sugar, starch, and fat metabolism in cells
Type 1 : childhood onset, typically; can occur in adulthood
Type 2 : adult onset, typically
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Comparison of Type 1 and
Type 2 Diabetes

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 Pathology
Pituitary Gland: (Anterior Lobe)
Hypersecretion
• Acromegaly
• Gigantism

Hyposecretion
• Dwarfism
• Panhypopituitarism

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 Pathology
Pituitary Gland: (Posterior Lobe)
Hypersecretion
• Syndrome of inappropriate ADH (SIADH)
Excess ADH
Excess water retention
Hyposecretion
• Diabetes insipidus
Deficient ADH
Polyuria and polydipsia

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Review Abnormal Conditions of
Endocrine Glands

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Chapter 18
Lesson 18.4

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 Laboratory Tests
• Fasting plasma glucose (FPG)
Measures circulating glucose in a patient
who has fasted at least 8 hours
• Serum and urine tests
Measures hormones, electrolytes,
glucose, etc., in blood and urine as
indicators of endocrine function
• Thyroid function tests
Measures T3, T4, and TSH in the
bloodstream

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 Clinical Procedures
• Exophthalmometry
• Computed tomography (CT) scan
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Thyroid scan
• Ultrasound examination

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 Abbreviations (Slide 1 of 3)
Abbreviation Meaning
A1C Blood test that measures glycosylated hemoglobin
(HbA1c) to assess glucose control
ACTH Adrenocorticotropic hormone
ADH Antidiuretic hormone – vasopressin
Ca+ Calcium
CGMS Continuous glucose monitoring system
DI Diabetes insipidus
DKA Diabetic ketoacidosis
DM Diabetes mellitus
FBG Fasting blood glucose
FBS Fasting blood sugar
FSH Follicle-stimulating hormone

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 Abbreviations (Slide 2 of 3)
Abbreviation Meaning
GH Growth hormone
GTT Glucose tolerance test
HbA1c Test for the presence of glucose attached to hemoglobin;
also called AIC
hCG or HCG Human chorionic gonadotropin
IGF Insulin-like growth factor
K Potassium
LH Luteinizing hormone
MDI Multiple daily injection
Na Sodium
OT, OXT Oxytocin
PRL prolactin

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 Abbreviations (Slide 3 of 3)
Abbreviation Meaning
PTH Parathyroid hormone (parathormone)
RAI Radioactive iodine
RIA Radioimmunoassay
RAIU Radioactive iodine uptake (imaging test or scan)
SIADH Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
SMBG Self-monitoring of blood glucose
STH Somatotropin – growth hormone
T3 Triiodothyronine
T4 Thyroxine – tetraiodothyronine
TFT Thyroid function test
TSH Thyroid-stimulating hormone

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 Review Sheet – Combining Forms
(Slide 1 of 5)
Combining Form Meaning
aden/o gland
adrenal/o adrenal glands
andr/o male
calc/o, calici/o calcium
cortic/o cortex, outer region

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 Review Sheet – Combining Forms
(Slide 2 of 5)
Combining Form Meaning
crin/o secrete
dips/o third
estr/o female
gluc/o, glyc/o sugar
gonad/o sex glands (ovaries, testes)
home/o sameness

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 Review Sheet – Combining Forms
(Slide 3 of 5)
Combining Form Meaning
hormon/o hormone
kal/i potassium (an electrolyte)
insulin/o insulin
lact/o milk
myx/o mucus
natr/o sodium (an electrolyte)

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 Review Sheet – Combining Forms
(Slide 4 of 5)
Combining Form Meaning
pancreat/o pancreas
parathyroid/o parathyroid gland
phys/o growing
pituitar/o pituitary gland; or hypophysis
somat/o body
ster/o solid structure

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 Review Sheet – Combining Forms
(Slide 5 of 5)
Combining Form Meaning
thyr/o thyroid gland
thyroid/o thyroid gland
toc/o childbirth
toxic/o position
ur/o urine

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 Review Sheet – Suffixes
Suffix Meaning
-agon assemble, gather together
-emia blood condition
-in, -ine a substance
-tropin stimulating the function of
-uria urine condition

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 Review Sheet – Prefixes
Prefix Meaning
eu- good, normal
hyper- excessive, above
hypo- deficient, below
oxy- rapid, sharp, acid
pan- all
tetra- four
tri- three

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 QUICK QUIZ (Slide 5 of 5)
5. What is the pathologic condition in which
enlargement of the extremities is caused
by hypersecretion of the anterior pituitary
after puberty?
A. Addison disease
B. Acromegaly
C. Cushing syndrome
D. Graves disease
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