Endocrine System: Thyroid Gland Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary cause of endemic goiter in populations?

Excessive iodine intake from local diets

Increased levels of TSH due to autoimmune disorders

Genetic mutations in thyroid hormone synthesis

Iodine deficiency in soil, water, and food (correct)

Which of the following features characterizes pretibial myxedema?

Painful inflammation of the eyes

Enlargement of the thyroid gland

Protrusion of the eyeball (correct)

Decreased production of TSH

What is a characteristic feature of a colloid goiter?

Presence of multiple nodules with hyperplastic lining

Irregular enlargement of the thyroid gland

Absence of colloid in the thyroid follicles

Follicular epithelium involutes and contains abundant colloid (correct)

How does TSH contribute to the development of goiter?

By causing hyperplasia of thyroid follicular cells Signup and view all the answers

Which phase of goiter presents symmetrical enlargement with crowded columnar cells?

Diffuse simple goiter Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes multinodular goiter?

Asymmetric enlargement with nodules of variable sizes containing colloid Signup and view all the answers

What condition can complicate the ophthalmopathy associated with thyrotoxicosis?

Corneal injury Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of sporadic goiter?

It affects females more than males Signup and view all the answers

What is the main cause of subacute thyroiditis?

Viral infection Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following structures is commonly affected by Riedel thyroiditis?

Contiguous neck structures Signup and view all the answers

What type of autoantibodies are primarily involved in Grave's disease?

Thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common clinical feature of Grave's disease?

Pretibial myxedema Signup and view all the answers

Which microscopic feature is characteristic of subacute thyroiditis?

Presence of multinucleate giant cells Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the morphology of the thyroid gland in Grave's disease?

Mildly enlarged, smooth surface, and fleshy red color Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of patients with Grave's disease may experience infiltrative ophthalmopathy?

40% Signup and view all the answers

Which immunological process is responsible for the thyroid damage in subacute thyroiditis?

Cytotoxic T-cell-mediated damage Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes Hashimoto thyroiditis?

Autoimmune destruction of thyroid antigens Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following features is NOT associated with Hashimoto thyroiditis?

Acute clinical presentation Signup and view all the answers

What type of thyroiditis is characterized by painful enlargement of the thyroid?

Subacute granulomatous (de Quervain) thyroiditis Signup and view all the answers

What type of cells are abundant in the thyroid tissue of patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis?

Hürthle cells Signup and view all the answers

What is a possible complication of Hashimoto thyroiditis?

Increased risk of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas Signup and view all the answers

In the context of Hashimoto thyroiditis, what does the term 'intense lymphocytic infiltration' refer to?

Destruction of thyroid follicles Signup and view all the answers

Which lesion is typically associated with autoimmune thyroiditis?

Papillary thyroid carcinoma Signup and view all the answers

What type of thyroiditis is known for its gradual thyroid failure?

Hashimoto thyroiditis Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Endocrine System - Thyroid Gland

Thyroiditis: Inflammation of the thyroid gland.
- Types:
  - Infectious: Rare
  - Autoimmune: Hashimoto, the most common.
    - characterized by gradual thyroid failure due to autoimmune destruction
    - Intense lymphocytic infiltration of the thyroid gland.
    - Etiology/Pathogenesis: Autoimmune disease directed against thyroid antigens.
  - Others: Granulomatous (De Quervain), and Reidel's thyroiditis.

Hashimoto Thyroiditis (Chronic Lymphocytic Thyroiditis)

Definition: Autoimmune disease characterized by persistent enlargement of the thyroid gland, with intense lymphocytic infiltration.
Etiology/Pathogenesis: Autoimmune disease directed against thyroid antigens.

Grave's Disease

Definition: Autoimmune disorder causing thyrotoxicosis (overactive thyroid). Often characterized by infiltrative ophthalmology (in 40% of patients), and pretibial myxedema in some patients.
- More common in women ages 20-40
- Genetic susceptibility
Pathogenesis: Production of autoantibodies (TSI & TGI) that bind to TSH receptors and mimic TSH function, leading to increased T3 & T4 production.

Subacute Granulomatous (De Quervain) Thyroiditis

Definition: Viral infection or post-viral inflammatory process impacting the thyroid, resulting in cytotoxic T-cell-mediated follicular damage.
Morphology: Characterized by early neutrophil infiltration (microabscesses), followed by lymphocytes, activated macrophages, and multinucleate giant cells, and later fibrosis.

Riedel Thyroiditis

Definition: A rare, unknown-cause thyroid inflammation.
Characteristics: Extensive fibrosis involving the thyroid gland and surrounding neck tissues.
Clinical presentation: Hard and fixed thyroid mass (clinically mimicking thyroid carcinoma).

Goiter

Definition: Non-inflammatory, non-neoplastic enlargement of the thyroid gland.
Pathogenesis: Often related to iodine deficiency, leading to compensatory TSH increase and subsequent thyroid follicular cell hyperplasia.
Types:
- Endemic: Deficiency of iodine in environment (e.g., mountain areas).
- Sporadic: Other causes (e.g., genetic).

Thyroid Neoplasms

Benign: Follicular adenoma (well-circumscribed, encapsulated tumor composed of follicles), can be solitary or multiple. Sometimes hyperfunctional causing thyrotoxicosis.
Malignant:
- Papillary Carcinoma: Most common thyroid cancer.
- Follicular Carcinoma: Less common than papillary.
- Anaplastic Carcinoma: Undifferentiated type.
- Medullary Carcinoma: Originates from parafollicular cells (C cells)

Thyroid Gland Pathology Summary

Inflammation (thyroiditis), and Enlargement (goiter) are key aspects of thyroid pathology.
Autoimmune conditions are common causes of thyroid dysfunction.
Some benign and malignant tumors can also affect the thyroid gland.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the endocrine system, specifically the thyroid gland. Explore key concepts around thyroiditis, Hashimoto's disease, and Grave's disease, including their definitions, types, and pathogenesis. Challenge yourself with this informative quiz about thyroid disorders!