PowerPoint to accompany

Medical Assisting
Chapter 32

Second Edition

Ramutkowski Booth Pugh Thompson Whicker

Copyright The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.

The Endocrine System

Objectives
32-1
32-2
32-3
32-4

Describe the general functions of the endocrine system.

Compare the endocrine and exocrine glands.
Define hormone.
Describe the locations of the pituitary gland, thyroid gland,
parathyroid glands,adrenal glands, pancreas, thymus, and
gonads.
32-5 List the hormones released by the pituitary gland and give
the functions of each.
32-6 List the hormones released by the thyroid gland and
parathyroid glands, and give the functions of each.
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The Endocrine System

Objectives (cont.)
32-7 List the hormones released by the adrenal glands and give
the functions of each.
32-8 List the hormones released by the pancreas and give the
functions of each.
32-9 List the hormones released by the thymus and gonads,
and give the function of each.
32-10 Describe the signs, symptoms, causes, and treatments of
various endocrine disorders.

The Endocrine System

The endocrine system includes the organs of

the body that secrete hormones directly into
body fluids such as blood.
bloodstream

glands

secrete

into

to

hormones
target tissues

Hormones

Hormones are chemicals secreted by a cell that

affects the functions of other cells.
Many hormones are derived from steroids that can
easily cross the cell membrane .
Examples of steroid hormones:

Estrogen
Progesterone
Testosterone
Cortisol

hormones
5

Hormones (cont.)

Nonsteroid Hormones

Made of amino acids or

proteins
Cannot cross the cell
membrane with ease
Binds to receptors on
the surface of the cells
G-protein is usually
activated by the
hormone-receptor
complex.

Prostaglandins

Local hormones
Derived from lipid
molecules
Typically do not travel
into the blood stream
Target tissues are located
close by
Produced by organs such
as the:
Kidneys Uterus
Heart
Brain
Stomach

Pituitary Gland

This gland is located at the base of the brain and is

controlled by the hypothalamus.
A bony structure called the sella turcica protects the
pituitary gland.
The optic chiasm is located just above the pituitary
gland.
The pituitary gland is divided into two lobes:
Anterior Lobe
Posterior Lobe
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Pituitary Gland
Growth Hormone
Stimulates increase
in size of muscles
and bones.

Luteinizing

Prolactin

Anterior
Lobe

Stimulates ovulation in females and estrogen

production. Stimulates production of
testosterone in males

Stimulates milk
production

Thyroidstimulating
Stimulates the thyroid
gland to release its
hormones.

Follicle-stimulating

Adrenocorticotrophic
Stimulates the adrenal
cortex to release its
hormones

In females stimulates estrogen

production and maturation of the
ova. In males, it stimulates sperm
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production.

Pituitary Gland (cont.)

Antidiuretic Hormone
Stimulates the
kidneys to
conserve water

Oxytocin

Posterior
Lobe

In females causes
contraction of
the uterus and
ejection of breast
milk.

Apply Your Knowledge

The medical assistant in a local medical office is about to
administer an injection of cortisol. The patient asks Once you
inject that steriod in my arm, why wont it affect my arm and
other body parts? Which of the following would best answer
this patients question?
a. Hormones do not affect any cells.
b. Cortisol is not a hormone so there is no need for concern.
c. Hormones have specific target cells that they bind with.

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Apply Your Knowledge - Answer

The medical assistant in a local medical office is about to
administer an injection of cortisol. The patient asks Once
you inject that steriod in my arm, why wont it affect my arm
and other body parts? Which of the following would best
answer this patients question?
a. Hormones do not affect any cells.
b. Cortisol is not a hormone so there is no need for concern.
c. Hormones have specific target cells that they bind with.

11

Thyroid Gland and Parathyroid Glands

Thyroid Gland
Located below the larynx
Is covered by a capsule
Is divided into follicles that store some of the hormones

Major Hormones

T3 T4

Stimulate protein synthesis and

increase cellular energy production

Lowers blood calcium levels by

activating osteoblasts
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Thyroid Gland and Parathyroid

Glands (cont.)
Most people have four parathyroid glands
These glands are located on the posterior surface of the
thyroid gland.
They secrete the parathyroid hormone (PTH)

Parathyroid hormone acts to raise the blood calcium

levels by activating osteoclasts.
13

Adrenal Glands

Located on top of each kidney

Divided into the adrenal medulla and adrenal
cortex

Adrenal Medulla
central portion
secretes epinephrine and
norepinephrine
secretions prepare the body
for the stress response

Adrenal Cortex
outermost portion
aldosterone and cortisol
are the main two hormones
secreted
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Pancreas

Located behind the stomach

Considered as both an endocrine and exocrine gland
Contains structures known as islets of Langerhans
which secretes insulin and glucagon
Blood glucose
concentrations
Protein synthesis

Blood glucose
concentrations
Protein synthesis
15

Apply Your Knowledge

A surgical patient is considered to have experienced
physical external stress. All of the following are
symptoms associated with stress except:
a. Increased blood pressure
b. Decreased blood glucose
c. Increased heart rate

16

Apply Your Knowledge - Answer

A surgical patient is considered to have experienced
physical external stress. All of the following are
symptoms associated with stress except:
a. Increased blood pressure
b. Decreased blood glucose
c. Increased heart rate

17

Other Hormone Producing Organs

The Pineal Body

The Thymus Gland

Located between the cerebral Located between the lungs

Secretes thymosin
hemispheres
Secretes melatonin

The Gonads

Other Sites

Ovaries and testes

Ovaries release estrogen
and progesterone
Testes produce testosterone

Stomach produces gastrin

Small intestines release secretin
and cholecystokinin
Heart secretes atrial natriuretic
peptide
Kidneys secrete erythropoietin
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The Stress Response

A stressor is any stimulus that produces stress.
Physical Factors Psychological Factors Positive Factors

The bodys response consist of a group of reactions called the

general stress syndrome which is caused by the release of
hormones.
Heart rate Breathing rate
Blood pressure Glucose levels

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Common Diseases and Disorders of

the Endocrine System

Causes

Signs and Symptoms

Increased productions of the growth hormone or a tumor.

Enlargement of skull, and hands and feet bones
Thickening of the skin
Headache, fatigue, pain, weight gain, heart disease

Treatment

Medications to decrease growth hormone production

Radiation therapy
Surgery
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Common Diseases and Disorders of

the Endocrine System (cont.)

Causes

Signs and Symptoms

Specific causes unknown but may be due to cancer, or an

autoimmune dysfunction
Weakness, fatigue, dizziness, weight loss, muscle pain,
vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration

Treatment

Corticosteriods
Medications or hormones to balance sodium and
potassium levels

21

Common Diseases and Disorders of

the
Endocrine System (cont.)
Causes

Signs and Symptoms

Excessive production of ACTH (adrenal gland tumor)

Long-term use of steriods
Round or full face, hump of fat between the shoulders,
fatigue, thin arms and legs with large abdomen, high
blood pressure, high blood glucose levels

Treatment

Lifestyle changes
Radiation and surgery for tumor removal
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Common Diseases and Disorders of

the Endocrine System (cont.)

Causes

Signs and Symptoms

High blood glucose levels, excessive thirst, frequent urination,

increased appetite, blurred vision, slow wound healing, weight loss,
foot problems, impotence in men

Treatment

Decreased or absent production of insulin by the pancreas

Obesity, high blood pressure, pregnancy, high cholesterol levels

Insulin (injection and oral tablets)

Lifestyle changes

Complications

Kidney disease, blindness, atherosclerosis, amputations

23

Common Diseases and Disorders of

the
Endocrine
System
(cont.)

Causes

Signs and Symptoms

Underproduction of the growth hormone

Trauma to pituitary gland or pituitary tumor
Short height, abnormal facial features, cleft lip or
palate, delayed puberty, headache, frequent
urination, thirst

Treatment

Administer supplemental growth hormone

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Common Diseases and Disorders of

the Endocrine System (cont.)

Causes

Signs and Symptoms

Overproduction of the growth hormone or a pituitary

tumor
Very tall height, delayed sexual maturity, thick facial
bones, thick skin, weakness, vision problems

Treatment

Medications to decrease growth hormone levels

Radiation therapy or surgery for tumor
25

Common Diseases and Disorders of

the
Endocrine System (cont.)
Causes

Signs and Symptoms

Over production of thyroid hormones

Also considered an autoimmune disorder
Exophthalmos, goiter, insomnia, weight loss, muscle
weakness, increased appetite, vision problems, increased
heart rate

Treatment

Medications
Radiation and surgery to the thyroid gland
26

Common Diseases and Disorders of

the Endocrine System (cont.)

Causes

Signs and Symptoms

Removal of the thyroid gland, neck radiation treatments

and obesity
Weakness, fatigue, weight gain, depression, dry skin,
general body aches, pale or yellow skin, slow heart rate,
enlarged heart, coma

Treatment

Supplemental thyroid hormones

Close monitoring of thyroid hormone levels
27

Apply Your Knowledge

A patient enters the medical office with complaints of fatigue
and body aches. You notice that the patients arms are thin
and the abdomen appears enlarged. The physician states to
you This looks like a case of hypercortisolism. You realize
this refers to which of the following diseases?

a. Cushings disease
b. Addisons disease
c. Diabetes mellitus

28

Apply Your Knowledge - Answer

A patient enters the medical office with complaints of fatigue
and body aches. You notice that the patients arms are thin
and the abdomen appears enlarged. The physician states to
you This looks like a case of hypercortisolism. You realize
this refers to which of the following diseases?

a. Cushings disease
b. Addisons disease
c. Diabetes mellitus

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END OF CHAPTER

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