Endocrine

6 entries across 3 regions · 30 questions

Abdomen

PancreasHY OrganMostly retroperitoneal gland lying across the posterior abdominal wall, with its head in the duodenal C-loop. Acute pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer are the key clinical problems.
Suprarenal glandHY OrganPaired retroperitoneal endocrine glands on the superomedial poles of the kidneys. The cortex makes steroids and the medulla makes catecholamines; pheochromocytoma, Cushing, Conn and Addison are the classic disorders.

Parathyroid glandsHY OrganUsually four small endocrine glands on the back of the thyroid that secrete parathyroid hormone. They are important in hypercalcemia (primary hyperparathyroidism) and in hypocalcemia after thyroid surgery.
Thyroid glandHY OrganButterfly-shaped endocrine gland wrapped around the upper trachea at C5–T1. It moves with swallowing, lies next to the recurrent laryngeal nerves and parathyroids, and thyroid nodules are a common workup.

HypothalamusHY OrganSmall part of the diencephalon that controls the pituitary, autonomic nervous system, temperature, hunger, thirst and circadian rhythm. Its disorders include central diabetes insipidus and craniopharyngioma.
Pituitary glandHY OrganMaster endocrine gland in the sella turcica below the optic chiasm, with anterior (hormone-producing) and posterior (ADH, oxytocin) lobes. Adenomas cause hormone excess, hypopituitarism and bitemporal hemianopia.