A Lesson In Endocrinology Trivia Quiz

Answer: ADH

The pituitary gland is divided into two lobes, the anterior lobe (adenohypophysis) and the posterior lobe (neurohypophysis). The neurohypophysis secretes oxytocin and ADH, (antidiuretic hormone). The other three are secreted by the adenohypophysis.

Answer: Visual Disturbances and Possible Blindness

The two optic nerves cross at a point called the chiasma. The pituitary gland sits right behind this crossing point. An enlarged pituitary gland can place pressure on this point and affect the nerve. Neuropathy is a general term that describes a problem in feeling. Dizziness or vertigo is related to problems in the inner ear or the vestibulocochlear nerve. Diabetes mellitus is a condition caused from ineffective metabolism of glucose in the bloodstream.

Answer: Thyroid and parathyroid

The thyroid secretes three hormones, one being calcitonin which stores calcium in the bones when the serum levels are too high. The parathyroids secrete a hormone called parathyroxine which does the opposite of calcitonin. Both of these hormones work together to maintain a balance.

Answer: Thymus

The thymus is where T-cells are produced. These cells play a major role in specific immunity. The thymus is most active in younger people and shrinks with age. That is why it is so important to have most of your vaccines when you are young.

Answer: Polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia

Also known as the "three polys". Polyuria is increased urination. A person with excessive sugar in the blood will excrete more water in the urine in order to dilute the urine for easier passage of the sugar. Polydipsia is increased thirst. This is a normal reaction from losing so much water in the urine. Polyphagia is increased hunger.

This is caused because the glucose is not being metabolized properly by the cells, therefore the cells feel like they are starving.

Answer: Acromegaly

An oversecretion of growth hormone can result in two different disorders, gigantism or acromegaly. Gigantism occurs when this oversecretion happens before puberty while the long bones in the body are still growing. This results in extreme tallness. Acromegaly happens after puberty, when the epiphyseal plates in the long bones are already sealed.

This results in large hands, feet, and facial features. The ex wrestler, Andre The Giant, suffered from this. Cushings disease is an oversecretion of the adrenal cortex and diabetes insipidus is caused from undersecretion of ADH, (antidiuretic hormone).

Answer: Hypothermia and cold intolerance.

The thyroid gland controls the rate of metabolism. In other words, the speed. Hyperthyroidism results in a faster than normal rate, Therefore the person would feel like they are in high gear. Heart palpitations result from a more rapid and stronger heartbeat.

It would be hard to relax when you are in high gear therefore insomnia would be present. Since the body is in high gear it would require more energy therefore weight loss is a common factor in hyperthyroidism. Sensitivity to the cold is from a slower rate of metabolism, hypothyroidism.

Answer: Adrenal

Pheochromocytoma is a tumor of the adrenal medulla. The adrenal medulla secretes adrenalin which can put a person in fight mode. Adrenalin causes the heart to beat faster and harder, among other things. Treatment is normally removal by surgery.

Answer: Undersecretion of ADH.

Diabetes insipidus, (DI), is caused from low levels of antidiuretic hormone, ADH. ADH causes the nephrons in the kidneys to reabsorb water back into the vascular system. Without this, the person would lose extremely high amounts of water through urination. Eventually they would die from dehydration. High sugar is diabetes mellitus.

These two terms are often confused with each other. Undersecretion of the adrenal cortex is called Addison's disease. This can be deadly if not treated. DI would eventually cause the blood pressure to drop due to dehydration, not raise.

Answer: It can result in death.

Prednisone is a common drug used to manage inflammation. It also slows the immune system. Prednisone is a corticosteriod. Corticosteriod is another name for the hormones secreted from the adrenal cortex. When these are given, the adrenal cortex slows the production of its hormones. Almost like the gland goes to sleep from lack of work.

When the person stops taking them they must be tapered gradually. This gives the adrenal gland time to "wake up" and work to full effect. If the drug is stopped suddenly then the person can go into what is called addisonian crisis and could die.