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CH. 49 Endocrine Disorders Summarized
Notes and Answers
• The endocrine system affects all aspects of body function including:
o Growth and development
o Energy metabolism
o Muscle and adipose tissue distribution
o Sexual development
o Fluid and electrolyte balance
o Inflammation and immune responses
Endocrine Disorder
• Disturbances of endocrine function can usually be divided into two categories—
hypofunction and hyperfunction.
• Hypofunction
o Congenital Defects
o Gland destroyed by:
▪ Disruption of blood flow
▪ Inflammation
▪ Autoimmune response
▪ Neoplastic growth
• Hyperfunction
o Associated with excess hormone production
▪ Excessive stimulation
▪ Hyperplasia of gland
▪ Hormone-producing tumor
▪ Administration of exogenous hormones
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Primary / Secondary / Tertiary Disorders
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• Primary Disorders in endocrine function originate in the target gland responsible
for producing the hormone.
o For example, total thyroidectomy produces a primary deficiency of
thyroid hormones
• Secondary Disorders of endocrine function, the target gland is essentially normal, but
defective levels of stimulating hormones or releasing factors from the pituitary system
alter its function.
o Removal or destruction of the pituitary gland eliminates ACTH stimulation of
the adrenal cortex and brings about a secondary deficiency
• Tertiary Disorder results from hypothalamic dysfunction
General Aspects of Altered Endocrine Function (PPT)
• Processes that disturb the normal function of the endocrine system
o Impaired or uncontrolled synthesis or release of hormones
o Altered interaction between hormones and their target tissues
o Abnormal responses of the target tissues to their hormones
Pituitary and Growth Disorder
• The pituitary gland, or hypophysis