Endocrine System

Normal processes

• Embryonic development, fetal maturation, and perinatal changes.

• Organ structure and function.

1. Hypothalamus, posterior and anterior pituitary gland.

2. Thyroid gland.

3. Parathyroid glands.

4. Adrenal cortex, adrenal medulla.

5. Pancreatic islets.

6. Ovary and testis.

7. Adipose tissue.

• Cell/tissue structure and function, including hormone synthesis, secretion, action, and metabolism

1. Peptide hormones.

2. Steroid hormones, including vitamin D.

3. Thyroid hormones.

4. Catecholamine hormones.

5. Renin-angiotensin system.

• Repair, regeneration, and changes associated with stage of life.
  

Abnormal processes

• Infectious, inflammatory, and immunologic disorders (eg, subacute thyroiditis, Graves disease, sarcoidosis).

• Traumatic and mechanical disorders.

• Neoplastic disorders (eg, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal cortex, pancreatic islets, neural crest, pheochromocytoma).

• Metabolic and regulatory processes (eg, diabetes mellitus, pituitary, hypothalamus, thyroid, parathyroid, pancreatic islet disorders, adrenal disorders).

• Vascular disorders (eg, pituitary apoplexy).

• Systemic disorders affecting the endocrine system.

• Idiopathic disorders (eg, hirsutism).
  

Principles of therapeutics

• Mechanisms of action, use, and adverse effects of drugs for treatment of disorders of the endocrine system.

1. Hormones and hormone analogs.

2. Stimulators of hormone production (eg, sulfonylureas).

3. Inhibitors of hormone production (eg, thiouracils).

4. Hormone antagonists.

5. Potentiators of hormone action (eg, thiazolidinediones).

6. Antiobesity agents.

• Other therapeutic modalities (eg, surgery, radiation)
  

Gender, ethnic, and behavioral considerations affecting disease treatment and prevention, including psychosocial, cultural, occupational, and environmental.

• Emotional and behavioral factors (eg, compliance in diabetes mellitus, factitious use of insulin, psychogenic polydipsia).

• Influence on person, family, and society.

• Occupational and other environmental risk factors (eg, radiation exposure, iodine deficiency).

• Gender and ethnic factors.