2025/2026
Tropic Hormones - Answers - stimulating hormones
- Hypothalamus
- Pituitary
Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Hormonal Axis - Answers - the hypothalamus secretes a releasing factor
that stimulates the pituitary gland
- pituitary is stimulated - releases a "tropic" hormone that targets a specific endocrine organ
- target endocrine organ secretes a hormone that acts on the body and causes a physiologic
effect
Pituitary Gland (Master Gland) - Answers - regulates all the other endocrine glands
- two lobes: anterior & posterior
- responds to hypothalamus signal by releasing a tropic hormone
- signals an endocrine gland to secrete a specific hormone
- senses rise in that hormone in the blood, ceases tropic hormone signal = negative feedback
loop
Anterior Pituitary Gland - Answers - growth hormone
- adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
Posterior Pituitary Gland (neurohypophysis) - Answers - TSH
- FHS
- LH
Endocrine Gland Receptors: Down Regulation - Answers - prolonged stimulation of an endocrine
gland's receptor cells by pituitary = decreased number of receptors = decreased sensitivity
Endocrine Gland Receptors: UP Regulation - Answers - inadequate stimulation = increased
number of receptor cells = increased sensitivity
Endocrine Disorders - Answers - endocrine dysfunction occurs when the hypothalamus-pituitary-
hormone axis is disrupted
3 types of Endocrine disease:
,- Hormone DEFICIENCY
- Hormone EXCESS
- Hormone RESISTANCE
Deficiencies Hormones - Answers Occur because of glandular destruction due to:
- Autoimmune disease (overstimulation/overproduction)
- Inflammation
- Infarction
- Tumor infiltration
EXCESS Hormone - Answers occur because of tumors, autoimmune disorders, genetic
mutations
Primary Disorder - Answers dysfunction caused by the endocrine gland itself
Secondary Disorder - Answers dysfunction caused by abnormal pituitary activity
Tertiary Disorder - Answers dysfunction caused by a hypothalamic origin
Posterior Pituitary Gland Disorder: Low ADH - Answers - Vasopressin
- AKA Diabetes Insipidus (DI)
Caused By:
- Head trauma
- Tumor
- Pituitary surgery
- Toxins
Signs and Symptoms of Low ADH - Answers - increased urine output (polyuria)
- decreased H2O in blood causes increase in Na+
- Dehydration
- increased thirst (polydipsia)
- decreased BP, confusion, disorientation
Posterior Pituitary Gland Disorder: High ADH - Answers - AKA Syndrome of Inappropriate Anti-
,Diuretic Hormone (SIADH)
Caused By:
- Brain injury/surgery
- Stroke
- Meningitis
- Cancer
Signs and Symptoms of High ADH - Answers - decreased urine output
- increase of H2O in blood causes decrease Na+
- fluid overload
- Fatigue, weakness, confusion
- decrease Na+ can cause slowed reflexes, seizure, altered gout, dysphagia, coma
Anterior Pituitary Gland Disorder: Hypopituitarism - Answers - Low Growth Hormone
- AKA Dwarfism
Caused By:
- brain tumor or injury
- radiation to head
- adenomas
- infection
Signs and Symptoms of Hypopituitarism - Answers - short stature (normal body proportions)
- headaches
- other hypopituitary s/s
Anterior Pituitary Gland Disorder: Hyperpituitarism - Answers - High Growth Hormone
AKA
- Kids: Gigantism
- Adults: Acromegaly
, Caused By:
- Pituitary adenoma
Signs and Symptoms of Hyperpituitarism - Answers - abnormally tall stature, before bone
epiphysis closure
- abnormal bone enlargement/thickness
Hypopituitarism - Answers - pituitary insufficiency
- Hypo secretion of one or more of the pituitary hormones
- Low tropic and corresponding hormone levels
Anti-Diuretic Hormone (ADH) - Answers - Responsibilities: Control of water
- AKA: Vasopressin
- Produced by posterior pituitary gland
- Normal ADH stimulated by increased plasma osmolarity, changes in intravascular volume
Thyroid Disorders: Hypothyroidism - Answers most common cause:
- Iodine deficit - goiter
- Tumor
- Surgical removal or treatment of gland
Life threatening:
- Myexdema
- Increase keratin
- Cause yellowing of skin
- Decrease temperature
Iodine deficiency (world)
Chronic Hashimotos (USA)
Signs and Symptoms of Hypothyroidism - Answers - "Everything slows down"
- Decrease metabolic rate of cells
- Weight gain