Porth's Essentials of Pathophysiology, 4e

32 C h a p t e r

General Aspects of Altered Endocrine Function Hypofunction and Hyperfunction Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Disorders Anterior Pituitary and Growth Hormone Disorders Control of Anterior Pituitary Function Clinical Manifestations of Hypothalamic- Pituitary Disorders Assessment of Hypothalamic-Pituitary Function Pituitary Adenomas and Hyperpituitarism Hypopituitarism Growth and Growth Hormone Disorders Growth Hormone Short Stature in Children Growth Hormone Deficiency in Adults Tall Stature and Growth Hormone Excess in Children Growth Hormone Excess in Adults Precocious Puberty Thyroid Hormone Disorders Structure and Function of the Thyroid Gland Synthesis of Thyroid Hormones Regulation of Thyroid Hormone Secretion Actions of Thyroid Hormone Tests of Thyroid Function Thyroid Disorders Hypothyroidism Hyperthyroidism Adrenal Cortical Hormone Disorders Adrenal Cortical Hormones Mineralocorticoid Hormones Glucocorticoid Hormones Adrenal Androgen Hormones Pharmacologic Suppression of Adrenal Function

Disorders of Endocrine Control of Growth and Metabolism

T

he endocrine system, in concert with the nervous sys- tem, serves to regulate and integrate the functioning of the body’s many cells and organ systems. Disorders of the endocrine system can affect many aspects of body functioning, including growth and development, energy metabolism, muscle and adipose tissue distribution, sexual development, fluid and electrolyte balance, and inflammatory and immune responses. This chapter focuses on disorders of the anterior pituitary gland, growth and growth hormone, thyroid gland, and adrenocortical hormones. Disorders of the parathyroid hormone are discussed in Chapter 8, insulin in Chapter 33, and the male and female gonadal hor- mones in Chapters 39 and 40. Several processes can disturb the normal function of the endocrine system, including impaired or uncontrolled synthesis or release of hormones, altered interactions between hormones and their target tissues, or abnor- mal responses of the target tissues to their hormones. Diseases involving the endocrine system most com- monly present with signs of hypofunction or hyperfunc- tion. 1 The disorder can occur as a primary disorder of an endocrine organ or as a secondary or tertiary disorder involving hormones produced by the pituitary gland or hypothalamus. Hypofunction and Hyperfunction Hypofunction of an endocrine gland can occur for a variety of reasons. Congenital defects can result in the absence or impaired development of an endocrine General Aspects of Altered Endocrine Function

Tests of Adrenal Function Adrenal Cortical Disorders Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Adrenal Cortical Insufficiency Glucocorticoid Hormone Excess Incidental Adrenal Mass

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