Textbook Question
The posterior pituitary is not really an endocrine gland. Why not? What is it?
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Ch. 16 The Endocrine System
Marieb, Hoehn7th EditionHuman Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780805359091
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 The Human Body: An Orientation24
- Ch. 2 Chemistry Comes Alive25
- Ch. 3 Cells: The Living Units24
- Ch. 4 Tissue: The Living Fabric19
- Ch. 5 The Integumentary System10
- Ch. 6 Bones and Skeletal Tissues19
- Ch. 7 The Skeleton11
- Ch. 8 Joints7
- Ch. 9 Muscles and Muscle Tissue26
- Ch. 10 The Muscular System26
- Ch. 11 Fundamentals of the Nervous System and Nervous Tissue23
- Ch. 12 The Central Nervous System26
- Ch. 13 The Peripheral Nervous System and Reflex Activity28
- Ch. 14 The Autonomic Nervous System18
- Ch. 16 The Endocrine System26
- Ch. 17 Blood27
- Ch. 18 The Cardiovascular System: The Heart22
- Ch. 19 The Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels27
- Ch. 20 The Lymphatic System and Lymphoid Organs and Tissues16
- Ch. 21 The Immune System: Innate and Adaptive Body Defenses29
- Ch. 22 The Respiratory System20
- Ch. 23 The Digestive System30
- Ch. 24 Nutrition, Metabolism, and Energy Balance26
- Ch. 25 The Urinary System25
- Ch. 26 Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance24
- Ch. 27 The Reproductive System23
Marieb, Hoehn7th EditionHuman Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780805359091Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 15, Problem 19
Roger Proulx has severe arthritis and has been taking prednisone (a glucocorticoid) for two months. He isn't feeling well, complains of repeated 'colds,' and is extremely 'puffy' (edematous). Explain the reason for these symptoms.
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Understand that prednisone is a synthetic glucocorticoid, which mimics the effects of cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal cortex involved in stress response, metabolism, and immune regulation.
Recognize that long-term use of prednisone suppresses the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, leading to decreased endogenous cortisol production and impaired immune function, which explains the increased susceptibility to infections (repeated 'colds').
Know that glucocorticoids like prednisone have mineralocorticoid effects, causing sodium and water retention in the kidneys, which leads to edema and the 'puffy' appearance described.
Connect that the combination of immune suppression and fluid retention results in the symptoms Roger is experiencing: frequent infections due to lowered immunity and edema due to fluid accumulation.
Summarize that the symptoms are a direct consequence of prednisone's pharmacological effects: immune system suppression causing vulnerability to infections, and mineralocorticoid-like effects causing fluid retention and edema.
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Key Concepts
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Glucocorticoid Effects on the Immune System
Glucocorticoids like prednisone suppress the immune response by reducing inflammation and inhibiting white blood cell activity. This immunosuppression increases susceptibility to infections, explaining why Roger experiences repeated 'colds' or infections.
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Side Effects of Long-term Glucocorticoid Use
Prolonged use of glucocorticoids can cause side effects such as fluid retention and edema, leading to a 'puffy' appearance. These drugs alter electrolyte balance and increase sodium retention, which causes swelling and weight gain.
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Mechanism of Prednisone in Treating Arthritis
Prednisone reduces inflammation by mimicking cortisol, a natural hormone that regulates immune and inflammatory responses. While effective in controlling arthritis symptoms, its systemic effects can lead to adverse outcomes like immunosuppression and edema.
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Endemic goiter is not really the result of a malfunctioning thyroid gland. What does cause it?
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Which type of hormone receptor—plasma membrane bound or intracellular—would be expected to provide the most long-lived response to hormone binding and why?
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How are the hyperglycemia and lipidemia of insulin deficiency linked?
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Textbook Question
The anterior pituitary is often referred to as the master endocrine organ, but it, too, has a 'master.' What controls the release of anterior pituitary hormones?
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Textbook Question
Name two endocrine glands (or regions) that are important in the stress response, and explain why they are important.
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