(BQ) Part 2 book “Dentist’s guide to medical conditions, medications, and complications” has contents: Endocrinology, seizure disorders, gastrointestinal conditions and diseases, postexposure prevention and prophylaxis, infectious diseases, oral lesions and dentistry, and other contents. | IX Endocrinology 38 Introduction to Endocrinology and Diabetes: Assessment, Analysis, and Associated Dental Management Guidelines INTRODUCTION TO ENDOCRINOLOGY The Endocrine System: Facts and Function The endocrine system regulates and maintains responses to: r r r r r r Stress and injury Growth and development Absorption of nutrients Energy metabolism Water and electrolyte balance Reproduction, birth, and lactation The glands associated with the endocrine system include the pituitary gland, the pineal gland, the hypothalamus, the thyroid gland, the parathyroid glands, the thymus, the adrenal glands, the gonads (the ovaries and testes), and the pancreas. The endocrine glands release hormones into the bloodstream that are meant to alter the metabolism of respective target organs by increasing or decreasing their activity. The neuro-endocrine system is controlled by the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus sends messages to the pituitary gland. In turn, the pituitary gland releases hormones that regulate body functions through affects on the other endocrine glands. The hypothalamic nuclei control endocrine function through three mechanisms: (1) direct neural connections, as in the case of the adrenal medulla; (2) the release of hypothalamic hormones (ADH and oxytocin are prime examples); and (3) the production of releasing or inhibiting regulatory factors. Releasing or inhibiting factors control secretory activities in the pituitary gland. Releasing factors promote the release of TSH, ACTH, and the gonadotrophic hormones (LH and FSH). The factors involved are called thyroid hormone-releasing factor (TRF), corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF), and gonadotrophin-releasing factor (GnRF). Dentist’s Guide to Medical Conditions, Medications, and Complications, Second Edition. Kanchan M. Ganda. C 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Published 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 385 386 Section IX: Endocrinology Inhibiting factors control the release of prolactin and MSH. A .
