Endocrine System

Normal processes

• embryonic development, fetal maturation, and perinatal changes
• organ structure and function
  • hypothalamus, posterior and anterior pituitary gland
  • thyroid gland
  • parathyroid glands
  • adrenal cortex, adrenal medulla
  • pancreatic islets
  • ovary and testis
  • adipose tissue
• cell/tissue structure and function, including hormone synthesis, secretion, action, and metabolism
  • peptide hormones
  • steroid hormones, including vitamin D
  • thyroid hormones
  • catecholamine hormones
  • 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)
  
  

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• 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
  • hormones and hormone analogs
  • stimulators of hormone production (eg, sulfonylureas)
  • inhibitors of hormone production (eg, thiouracils)
  • hormone antagonists
  • potentiators of hormone action (eg, thiazolidinediones)
  • 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