ch 11

1. Chapter 11 Presentation: The
Endocrine System and
Hypercalcemia
Michaelia Fosses
Summer 2012

2. Endocrine System
• The collection of glands in the endocrine system secrete
hormones into the bloodstream
• This is in contrast to the exocrine system, which secretes
fluids into a duct
• Hormones are chemicals secreted by a gland to control the
function of a target tissue

3. Endocrine System
• Hormones are secreted
into the bloodstream
and work on a target
organ or tissue,
increasing or
decreasing its activity
level
• The endocrine system
maintains homeostasis
in the body—a stable
internal environment

4. Endocrine System - Composition
Gland Major Hormones
2 Adrenal Glands Cortisol, Aldosterone, Epinephrine,
Norepinephrine
2 Ovaries (female) Estrogen, Progesterone
2 Testes (male) Testosterone
4 Parathyroid Glands Parathyroid Hormone
1 Pancreas Insulin, Glucagon
1 Pineal Gland Melatonin
1 Thymus Thymosin
1 Pituitary Gland PRL, FSH, LH, GH, TSH, ACTH
1 Thyroid T3, T4

5. Hypercalcemia
• A condition of excessive
calcium in the blood
• Mild hypercalcemia is often
asymptomatic
• Symptoms of moderate to
severe hypercalcemia include
nausea, excessive thirst, loss of
appetite, frequent urination,
muscle weakness and
abdominal pain, among others

6. Hypercalcemia - Causes
• Hypercalcemia can have
several causes
• Certain types of cancer
can cause hypercalcemia
• Primary
hyperparathyroidism can
cause hypercalcemia
through excessive
secretion of parathyroid
hormone (PTH), which
increases blood calcium
levels

7. Hypercalcemia – Diagnosis/Treatment
• Diagnosis of hypercalcemia is made by
checking blood calcium levels
• Treatment of the hypercalcemia is done to
return calcium to a safe level
• Treatment of the cause of the hypercalcemia
depends on the cause

8. References
• www.mayoclinic.com
• Medical Terminology: A Living Language.
Fregman, Bonnie F. and Suzanne S. Frucht.
Pearson, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.
2009.