Endocrine System:
Homeostatic Imbalances
Anatomy & Physiology
Tumor cells

Tumor cells (such as lung or pancreas
cancer) make excessive amounts of
hormones identical to normal endocrine
glands.
Growth Hormone

Hypersecretion and hyposecretion result in
structural abnormalities.
 Gigantism- still-active growth plates receive
excessive GH


Acromegaly- excessive GH secreted after
growth plates close

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Person becomes abnormally tall (often 8ft)
Enlarged extremities; overgrown hands, feet and
face
Pituitary Dwarfism- GH deficiency in children;
slows bone growth
Gigantism
Gigantism
34 years old
 7’8” tall

Acromegaly
Pituitary Dwarfism
Pituitary Gland: Prolactin

Prolactin: Hypersecretion in females
leads to lactation problems, lack of
menses, breast enlargement, and
infertility

Hypersecretion in males leads to impotence
Pituitary Gland: Antidiuretic
Hormone (ADH)
ADH Deficiency= diabetes insipidus
 Can be caused by damage to
hypothalamus or posterior pituitary



Intense thirst and urine output
Hypersecretion of ADH: occurs with
meningitis, recovery from neurosurgery
or hypothalamus injury

Results in retention of fluid, headache, brain
edema, weight gain
Thyroid Gland Imbalances

Hypothyroidism leads to slow
metabolism, chills, constipation, thick
and dry skin, puffy eyes, edema, lethargy
and mental sluggishness
Lack of iodine= goiter
 Cretinism in children; can lead to mental
retardation

Hyposecretion of TH
Hyperthyroidism

Graves’ disease- autoimmune disease;

Symptoms- rapid and irregular heartbeat,
nervousness, weight loss, elevated
metabolic rate, sweating
Graves’ Disease
Enlarged Thyroid (goiter)
Parathyroid Imbalances

Hyperparathyroidism: Rare; usually
results from parathyroid gland tumor


Calcium is drawn out of bones; softening
and deforming bones
Hypo “”: usually caused by parathyroid
gland trauma; results in loss of
sensation, muscle twitches, convulsions

Can lead to respiratory paralysis and death
Adrenal Gland
Aldosteronism- hypersecretion;
hypertension and accelerated expulsion
of potassium
 Addision’s disease- hyposecretion of
gluccocorticoids and mineralcoritcoids


Can lead to muscle weakness and paralysis
Excessive gluccocorticoid hormone

Cushing’s disease- ACTH releasing
pituitary tumor
Persistent hyperglycemia, loss of muscle
and bone protein; water and salt retention
 Physical signs- swollen face, fat deposits in
abdomen and posterior neck

Excessive Gonadocorticoids

Causes androgenital syndrome(masculinization)
Males mature rapidly
 Females develop a beard, excessive body
hair, and development of male sex organ

Diabetes mellitus
Results from hyper or hyposecretion of
insulin
3 signs of DM
 Polyuria-large urine output
 Polydipsia- excessive thirst
 Polyphagia- excessive hunger
Hypoglycemia- low sugar levels
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