ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
CRISIS 5
WEEK 1 COMPILATION
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
Exercise 1.1
Describe the
endocrine system
Answer:
The endocrine system is an interconnected network of glands which is closely linked with the nervous and immune systems to regulate the functions of multiple
body organs.
It involves the release of chemical substances known as hormones to regulate and integrate body functions.
The endocrine system plays a vital role in growth and development. This includes
·
the metabolism of energy
·
muscle and adipose tissue distribution
·
sexual development
·
fluid and electrolyte balance
·
inflammation and immune responses (Porth &
Matfin, 2009)
Disorders of the endocrine system are common and are
manifested as hyperfunction and hypofunction
Exercise 1.2
Outline the hormones each
of the endocrine glands secretes.
Answer:
The endocrine system is composed of several glands:
·
the pituitary glands
·
the thyroid gland
·
parathyroid glands
·
adrenal glands
·
pancreatic islets
·
ovaries
·
testes
The endocrine glands are ductless organs that secrete their chemical molecules directly into
the bloodstream.
·
The
pituitary gland (hypophysis)
o
The pituitary gland is composed of two lobes: anterior and posterior pituitary glands
o
The anterior
pituitary gland secretes:
Growth hormone (GH)
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
o
The posterior
pituitary gland secretes:
Prolactin
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Oxytocin
·
The thyroid
gland
o
It secretes:
Thyroid hormones: triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4)
Calcitonin
o
The thyroid hormones affects the blood calcium
and phosphate release from the bones.
o
It also affects metabolism, muscles, the heart,
and many other body organs and systems.
o
It also help regulate carbohydrate metabolism,
lipids, proteins, and growth and Development.
·
Parathyroid
glands
o
It secretes:
Parathormone (PTH, parathyroid hormone)
o
Their function is to produce parathyroid hormone (PTH). PTH, also
called Parathormone, maintains the
calcium level in the blood.
o
It also regulates the phosphorus level in the
body.
o
If the serum calcium level falls, PTH is
released, which causes bones to break down, releasing calcium into the blood.
o
It also causes the kidneys to decrease the
calcium released in the urine, and increases phosphate excretion
·
Adrenal
glands
o
The glands are comprised of two parts: the cortex and the adrenal medulla.
o
The
cortex secretes:
Aldosterone,
which is responsible for renal reabsorption of sodium and excretion of
potassium;
Cortisol,
which maintains glucose control, increases hepatic gluconeogenesis (the making
of glucose), and manages the body’s stress response;
Androgens,
which are sex hormones.
o
The
adrenal medulla produces:
Stores, and secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine, which are called catecholamine.
When they are released, heart and respiratory
rate increase, blood pressure rises, airways dilate, and an increase in the
metabolic rate is seen.
·
Pancreatic
islets
o
It secretes:
Insulin
Glucagon
Somatostatin
·
Ovaries
o
It secretes:
Estrogen
Progesterone
·
Testes
o
It secretes:
Androgens, mainly testosterone
Exercise 1.3
What is direct feedback?
Answer:
Direct feedback is the mechanism for regulating hormone concentration in the bloodstream.
When the hormone concentration increases, further production of that hormone is
inhibited= negative feedback.
Conversely, when the hormone concentration decreases, the rate of production of
that hormone increases= positive
feedback.
Exercise 1.4
Outline detail steps
you will take to perform a comprehensive assessment of the endocrine system
Answer:
Comprehensive assessment of the endocrine system involves:
·
Taking of health history
Patient
Assessment
Assess for physical
symptoms such as changes in energy level, sexual dysfunction, memory and
concentration level, sleep pattern, mood, mucosal neuromas, hypertrophied lips,
skeletal abnormalities, and marfanoid appearance.
Assess for signs
of arthritis and bronze pigmentation of the skin (hereditary hemochromatosis).
Family
history assessment
o
Assess family history for relatives with
early-onset hepatic, pancreatic, or endocrine disease.
o
Inquire about family members with diabetes and
their ages at onset.
o
Assess family history of other related genetic
conditions such as cystic fibrosis, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, and
hereditary hemochromatosis.
The
health history should include information regarding:
o
The severity
of these changes
o
the length
of time the patient has experienced these changes
o
the way in which these changes have affected the patient’s ability to carry out
activities of daily living
o
The effect
of the changes on the patient’s self-perception.
·
Physical
assessment
The physical examination should include:
o
Vital signs
o
A visual head-to-toe assessment
o
Tactile examination.
Findings should be compared with previous
findings if available.
During the physical examination, take note
of changes in physical characteristics
such as:
o
appearance of facial hair in women,
o
“moon face,”
o
“buffalo hump,”
o
exophthalmos,
o
Edema
o
thinning of the skin
o
obesity of the trunk,
o
thinness of the extremities
o
Increased size of the feet and hands,
o
Edema
May signify disorders of the thyroid,
adrenal cortex, or pituitary gland.
o
Exophthalmos and other eye symptoms may occur
with hyperthyroidism (Graves’ disease).
o
Alteration in skin texture is associated with hypofunction and hyperfunction of the
thyroid gland.
o
Elevated blood pressure may occur with hyperfunction of the adrenal cortex or
tumor of the adrenal medulla.
o
Decreased blood pressure may occur with hypofunction of the adrenal cortex.
o
Behavioral changes such as agitation,
nervousness, a flat affect, or a lack of concern about personal appearance may also
be present.
Exercise 1.5
Outline few diagnostic
test for the evaluation of the endocrine system
Answer:
·
Blood
tests
Blood tests are used to determine hormone
blood levels
·
Urine
tests
Urine tests may be used to measure the
amount of hormones or the end products of hormones excreted by the kidneys.
·
Stimulation
and suppression tests.
o
Stimulation
test
Stimulation tests can determine how an endocrine gland responds to the administration of
stimulating hormones that are normally produced or released by the
hypothalamus or pituitary gland.
If the endocrine gland responds to this
stimulation, the specific disorder may be in the hypothalamus or pituitary.
Failure of the endocrine gland to respond to
this stimulation helps identify the problem as being in the endocrine gland
itself.
o
Suppression
test
Suppression tests may be used to determine
whether negative feedback mechanisms
that normally control secretion of hormones from the hypothalamus or pituitary
gland are intact.
They test the effect of administration of an exogenous dose of the hormone on the
endogenous secretion of the hormone or on the secretion of stimulation hormones
from the hypothalamus or pituitary gland.
·
Imaging
studies include radioactive scanning, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),
computed tomography (CT), ultrasonography, positron emission tomography (PET),
and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).
Comments
Post a Comment