Endocrine System and Hormones Quiz

Study Notes

The pituitary gland, referred to as the "testes of the brain," is a gland located at the base of the brain with two main parts: anterior and posterior.
The anterior pituitary gland is the larger part and is responsible for synthesizing and releasing most pituitary hormones.
ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone): stimulates the adrenal cortex to release aldosterone and cortisol, with the stimulus being stress.
FSH (follicle stimulating hormone): for men, it promotes sperm production, while for women, it aids in the release of eggs, with the stimulus being the GnRH (gonadotropic releasing hormone).
LH (luteinizing hormone): in men, it plays a role in testicular functions, while in women, it stimulates ovulation and the release of eggs, with the stimulus again being the GnRH.
GH (growth hormone): it promotes growth, increased metabolism, and fat catabolism, with the stimulus being normal growth and development.
PRL (prolactin): it stimulates milk production in the breast, with the stimulus being estrogen, pregnancy, and nursing.
The posterior pituitary gland stores and secretes hormones produced by the hypothalamus.
ADH (antidiuretic hormone): it adds water back into the body to help dilute thick blood due to decreased blood pressure, pain, or high osmolality.
Oxytocin: it stimulates uterine contractions and lactation during labor and breastfeeding.
The thyroid gland releases T3 and T4, the active thyroid hormones, with TSH being the hormone that stimulates their release.
Hypothyroidism (low T3 and T4) can be caused by an autoimmune disease or iodine deficiency, while Hyperthyroidism (high T3 and T4) can be caused by Graves' disease, consuming too much iodine, or over-replacing thyroid hormones.
Diagnostic tests for thyroid conditions focus on measuring T3 and T4 levels before looking at TSH.- The parathyroid hormone (PTH) plays a crucial role in regulating calcium levels in the body through a negative feedback loop: when calcium levels are high, PTH levels decrease, and when calcium levels are low, PTH levels increase.
Hyperparathyroidism is a condition characterized by excessive PTH secretion, leading to hypercalcemia (high calcium levels) and the following symptoms: kidney stones, weak bones (calcified tissues), and constipation.
Hypoparathyroidism is the opposite condition, characterized by low PTH levels, resulting in hypocalcemia (low calcium levels) and symptoms such as muscle cramps and tetany.
The adrenal glands are located above the kidneys and consist of two parts: the inner adrenal medulla, which produces catecholamines, and the outer cortex, which produces steroid hormones.
The adrenal cortex is divided into three zones: the zona glomerulosa, which produces mineralocorticoids; the zona fasciculata, which produces glucocorticoids; and the zona reticulosis, which produces sex hormones.
In hyperaldosteronism, an excess of aldosterone (mineralocorticoid) production leads to increased sodium and water retention, resulting in high blood pressure, increased potassium loss, and metabolic alkalosis (high pH levels).

Description

Test your knowledge of the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal glands, and their associated hormones. Explore the functions of hormones such as ACTH, FSH, LH, GH, PRL, ADH, Oxytocin, T3, T4, TSH, PTH, and adrenal cortex hormones. Additionally, learn about conditions like hyperparathyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and hyperaldosteronism.