The Endocrine System at a Glance

The Endocrine System at a Glance provides a highly illustrated and unambiguous introduction to the basic principles and mechanisms of endocrinology and the key endocrine organs, followed by sections on reproductive and metabolic endocrinology. Clinical scenarios contextualise the basic science and illustrate how endocrine conditions present, are diagnosed, and are treated on the wards.

This third edition:

The Endocrine System at a Glance is ideal for all medical students studying endocrinology and revising for final exams, as well as preparing for clinical attachments. The book is also suitable for those training in allied health professions and nurses specialising in endocrinology.

Preface to the Third Edition 6

Preface to the First Edition 7

Part 1 Fundamentals

1. Introduction 8

2. Chemical transmission 10

3. Mechanisms of hormone action:

I Membrane receptors 12

4. Mechanisms of hormone action:

II Intracellular receptors 14

5. The hypothalamus and pituitary gland 16

6. Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone: a peptide hormone 18

7. Principles of feedback control 20

8. Endocrine function tests 22

Part 2 Growth

9. Growth: I Cellular growth factors 24

10. Growth: II Normal growth 26

11. Growth: III Growth hormone 28

12. Growth: IV Pathophysiology 30

Part 3 Thyroid

13. Thyroid: I Thyroid gland and thyroid hormones 32

14. Thyroid: II Thyroid hormone secretion and action 34

15. Thyroid: III Thyroid pathophysiology 36

Part 4 Adrenals and autoimmunity

16. Adrenal gland: I Adrenal medulla 38

17. Adrenal gland: II Adrenocortical hormones 40

18. Adrenal gland: III Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) 42

19. Adrenal gland: IV Cortisol and androgens 44

20. Adrenal gland: V Aldosterone 46

21. Adrenal gland: VI Pathophysiology 48

22. Endocrine autoimmunity 50

Part 5 Sexual differentiation and development

23. Sexual differentiation and development:

I Introduction 52

24. Sexual differentiation and development: II Puberty 54

Part 6 Female reproduction

25. Female reproduction: I Menstrual cycle 56

26. Female reproduction: II Ovarian steroids 58

27. Female reproduction: III Pregnancy 60

28. Female reproduction: IV Parturition and lactation 62

29. Female reproduction: V Pathophysiology 64

30. Female reproduction: VI Contraception 66

Part 7 Male reproduction

31. Male reproduction: I The testis 68

32. Male reproduction: II Actions of androgens 70

33. Male reproduction: III Pathophysiology 72

Part 8 Posterior pituitary hormones, salt and water balance and hypertension

34. Oxytocin 74

35. Vasopressin 76

36. Renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system 78

37. Endocrine hypertension 80

Part 9 Metabolic endocrinology: Pancreas and gastrointestinal tract

38. Insulin: I The pancreas and insulin secretion 82

39. Insulin: II Insulin action 84

40. Insulin: III Type 1 diabetes mellitus 86

41. Insulin: IV Type 2 diabetes mellitus 88

42. Glucagon 90

43. Gastrointestinal hormones 92

Part 10 Metabolic endocrinology: Energy homoeostasis and obesity

44. Energy homoeostasis: I Summary 94

45. Energy homoeostasis: II Central control 96

46. Obesity: I Causes of obesity 98

47. Obesity: II Cardiovascular and

respiratory complications 100

48. Obesity: III Insulin resistance and

endocrine complications 102

Part 11 Calcium and metabolic bone disease

49. Calcium: I Parathyroid hormone 104

50. Calcium: II Calcitonin 106

51. Calcium: III Vitamin D 108

52. Bone remodelling 110

53. Metabolic bone disease: I Paget’s disease 112

54. Metabolic bone disease:

II Primary osteoporosis 114

55. Metabolic bone disease: III Secondary osteoporosis 116

Part 12 Self assessment

MCQs 118

Answers 133

Appendix: Normal Values 136

Glossary 137

Index 139