4A. Endocrine system

• Acromegaly is a hormonal disorder caused by hypersecretion of somatotropin or growth hormone (GH) by the pituitary gland
• Characteristics of acromegaly include enlargement of bones in the jaw, hands, and feet, thickened nose, lips, eyelids, wide fingertips, and a gorilla-like appearance
• Vasopressin is known as the anti-diuretic hormone and is secreted by the neurohypophysis (posterior pituitary)
• The thymus gland increases in size during childhood, plays a role in the differentiation of T-lymphocytes for cell-mediated immunity, and promotes antibody production for humoral immunity
• Diabetes insipidus is characterized by excessive urination and extreme thirst due to hyposecretion of vasopressin
• Diabetes mellitus is characterized by excess urine with glucose and ketone bodies due to undersecretion of insulin
• Islets of Langerhans are the endocrine part of the pancreas and contain alpha cells that secrete glucagon and beta cells that secrete insulin
• Insulin shock is a condition resulting from hypersecretion or overdose of insulin in diabetic patients, leading to hypoglycemia
• Epinephrine and norepinephrine are known as fight and flight hormones, secreted by the adrenal medulla in response to stress and emergency
• Androgens are male sex hormones, such as testosterone, secreted by Leydig cells in the testes
• Erythropoietin is produced by Juxtaglomerular cells of the kidney and stimulates the production of red blood cells by regulating the proliferation and differentiation of erythroid progenitor cells in the bone marrow