Sistema Endocrino: Visión General

Study Notes

The endocrine system releases chemical messengers called hormones to regulate bodily functions.
Hormones act on target sites, either local or distant.
Endocrine glands are primary hormone producers, but specialized tissues (digestive, kidney, immune) also release hormones.
Examples of hormones are gastrin, enterogastrone, secretin, cholecystokinin (digestive), erythropoietin (kidney), and various cytokines (immune).

Key endocrine glands include the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal glands, pancreas islets, ovaries, and testes.
Most hormones secreted directly into the bloodstream.
Exocrine glands, like sweat glands, release their products through ducts.

The text lists various endocrine glands, their locations, and their roles in the endocrine system.
The specific roles of hormones including Thyroid function and regulation, and details regarding hormones involved.

Hormones are categorized by structure:
- Amines and amino acids: Examples include adrenaline, noradrenaline, and thyroid hormones
- Peptides, polypeptides, proteins, and glycoproteins: Examples include TRH, FSH, and GH
- Steroids: Examples include corticosteroids (produced by the adrenal cortex)
- Derived from fatty acids (eicosanoids, retinoids): Includes various signaling molecules.

Patient history is crucial for evaluating endocrine disorders, including inquiries about energy levels, temperature tolerance, weight changes, urination frequency, sexual characteristics (hair growth, menstrual cycle), memory, sleep patterns, and mood changes.
Physical examination involves vital signs, head-to-toe inspection, and palpation of relevant areas (thyroid, skin/hair).
Various diagnostic methods are used to complement the patient history and physical examination, including blood tests (lipid profile, thyroid function, blood sugar, electrolytes), imaging studies (ultrasound, CT, MRI).