Part I: Developement, structure, and Function 1
1.Overview of the Endocrine System 3
Introduction 3
Mechanisms of hormone activity 3
Preface 3
Acknowledgements 7
Dedication 8
2.The Hypothalamus and Pituitary gland 17
Organization 17
Hormones of the hypothalamus 21
Hormones of the anterior pituitary gland 22
Hormones of the posterior pituitary gland 24
Endocrine function of the pineal gland 25
3.The Pineal Gland 25
Structure of the pineal gland 25
4.The Thyroid Gland 27
Organization 27
Thyroid hormones 29
5.The Adrenal Glands 33
Organization 33
Hormones of the adrenal cortex 35
Hormones of the adrenal medulla 40
6.The Pancreas and the Gastrointestional System 43
Organization of the endocrine pancreas 43
Hormones of the endocrine pancreas 44
Endocrine control of the glucose homoeostasis 49
The endocrine role of the gastrointestinal tract 52
7.Endocrine Control of Fluid Balance 55
Mechanisms involved in fluid balance 55
Hormones involved in fluid balance 57
8.Endocrine Control of Calcium Homoeostasis 63
Mechanisms involved in calcium homoeostasis 63
Hormones involed in calcium homoeostasis 65
9.Endocine Control of Growth 71
Normal growth 71
Cellular growth and proliferation 71
Hormones/factors directly involved in the control of growth 72
Hormones indirectly involved in the control of growth 74
10.The Reproductive System 75
Embryological development of gender 75
Puberty 77
Organization of the female reproductive organs 79
Hormones of the female reproductive system 82
Hormonal changes and the menstrual cycle 85
The male reproductive organs 89
Testicular hormones and spermatogenesis 91
11.The Process of Reproduction 95
Coitus 95
Fertilization 95
Implantation 96
Contraception 97
Therapeutic abortion 100
The placenta 100
Reproductive hormones in pregnancy 100
Internal adaptations to pregnancy 103
Parturition 106
Lactation 107
Part II: Clinical Assessment 111
12.Taking a History 113
Introduction 113
The structure of a history 113
Common presenting complaints 115
13.Examination of the Patient 125
General inspection 125
Examination of the hands, nails, limbs, and feet 126
Examination of the head and neck 128
Examination of the thorax and breast 130
Examination of the abdomen 131
Examination of the female reprlductive system 132
Examination of the male genitalia 134
14.Further Investigations 137
Investigation of endocrine function 137
Routine investigations 142
Imaging of the endocrine and reproductive systems 144
Part III: Basic Pathology 149
15.Pathology of the Endocrine Glands 151
Disorders of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus 151
Thyroid disorders 155
Parathyroid disorders 160
Disorders of the adrenal cortex 162
Disorders of the adrenal medulla 168
Disorders of the endocrine pancreas 169
Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes 175
Ectopic hormone syndromes 175
16.Pathology of the reproductive System 177
Menstrual disorders 177
The menopause 179
Infertility 180
Sexual dysfuntion 181
Disorders of the placenta and pregnancy 182
17.Pathology of the Female Reproductive System 187
Disorders of the vulva 187
Disorders of the vagina 188
disorders of the cervix 188
Disorders of the endometium and myometrium 190
Disorders of the ovaries and fallopian tubes 193
Disorders of the breast 195
18.Pathology of the Male Reproductive System 199
Disorders of the penis 199
Disorders of the testes and epididymis 201
Disorders of the prostate gland 204
The male breast 206
Part IV: Self-assessment 209
Multiple-choice Questions 211
Short-answer Questions 215
Essay Questions 216
MCQ Answers 217
SAQ Answers 218
Index 221