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Question 1
Correct
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Where do the portal hypophysial vessels arise?
Your Answer: Median eminence
Explanation:The hypothalamic-hypophysial portal system connects the brain to the anterior pituitary. It is made up of two capillary beds, one in the median eminence and the other in the anterior pituitary. Blood from the plexus of the median eminence is carried by portal veins, draining into the cavernous and posterior intercavernous sinuses. This system delivers hypothalamic hormones to their target cells.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 2
Incorrect
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The main efferent input of the posterior pituitary gland comes from:
Your Answer: Sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation via the brainstem
Correct Answer: Paracrine hormones secreted from the hypothalamus via axons.
Explanation:The posterior pituitary or neurohypophysis consists of a collection of axonal projections emerging from the hypothalamus. It releases hormones directly from these axonal endings into circulation; these hormones are oxytocin and vasopressin.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 3
Correct
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Which one of the following is most likely to be seen in a patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type I?
Your Answer: Insulinoma
Explanation:Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1 syndrome) or Wermer’s syndrome is part of a group of disorders, the multiple endocrine neoplasias, that affect the endocrine system through development of neoplastic lesions in the ‘three P’s’:Parathyroid (>90%): hyperparathyroidism due to parathyroid hyperplasiaPituitary (15-42%)Pancreas (60-70%, e.g. insulinoma, gastrinoma)
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 4
Correct
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Which hormone secreting cell of the human anterior pituitary gland secretes growth hormone?
Your Answer: Somatotroph
Explanation:Somatotroph cells are responsible for the production of growth hormone. Somatotrophs occupy nearly 40% of the total surface area of the anterior pituitary, and they are acidophilic in nature.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 5
Incorrect
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Embryologically the anterior pituitary is formed from?
Your Answer: Endoderm
Correct Answer: Rathkes pouch
Explanation:The ectoderm, located in the roof of the pharynx, forms Rathke’s pouch, which comes into contact with the ectoderm of the developing brain. The pouch eventually separates from the pharynx, becoming the anterior pituitary.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 6
Incorrect
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The febrile response to PGE2 will be impaired with the knockout of which one of the following prostaglandin receptors?
Your Answer: Ep2
Correct Answer: Ep3
Explanation:Prostaglandin EP3 receptor is a receptor for prostaglandin E2. Fever occurs as a result of the action of prostaglandin E2 and requires EP3 receptors in the preoptic area. Therefore, if there is an absence of EP3 receptors, fever caused by prostaglandin E2 will not occur.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 7
Incorrect
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What causes increased insulin sensitivity?
Your Answer: Growth hormone treatment
Correct Answer: Exercise
Explanation:Physical activity, through its effect on insulin sensitivity, is one of the main modifiable risk factors for type 2 diabetes. It is estimated that by each weekly 500 kcal increment in exercise related energy consumption, the lifetime risk of suffering from type 2 diabetes is reduced by 9%. Up to two hours after exercise, glucose uptake is elevated due to insulin independent mechanisms; however, insulin sensitivity remains increased for at least 16 hours after exercising.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 8
Correct
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Select the correct statement about the microanatomy of the thyroid gland.
Your Answer: The capillaries adjacent to thyroid cells have a fenestrated endothelium.
Explanation:Fenestrated capillaries have a very thin endothelium, which is perforated by numerous fenestrations or pores. Hormones are usually released into these capillaries, reaching their target cells through the circulatory system.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 9
Correct
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In the microanatomy of the pituitary gland, the pituicytes present are in fact modified forms of which cells?
Your Answer: Astrocytes
Explanation:Pituicytes are glial cells present in the pars nervosa, the posterior pituitary gland. Their irregular shape resembles that of astrocytes, and their cytoplasm also has intermediate filaments. They differ from astrocytes in that they have large cytoplasmic lipid droplets.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 10
Incorrect
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What is the primary cause of ketoacidosis in Type 1 diabetes?
Your Answer: Glycolysis
Correct Answer: Lipolysis
Explanation:in type 1 diabetics the lack of insulin in the bloodstream prevents glucose absorption, thereby inhibiting the production of oxaloacetate (a crucial precursor to the β-oxidation of fatty acids) through reduced levels of pyruvate (a by-product of glycolysis), and can cause unchecked ketone body production (through fatty acid metabolism or lipolysis) potentially leading to dangerous glucose and ketone levels in the blood.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 11
Correct
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Which of the following hormones cause negative feedback on the CRH/ACTH axis?
Your Answer: Cortisol
Explanation:The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, also known as HPA axis is a set of interactions that regulate the secretion of several hormones through negative feedback. Cortisol, for example, is produced by the adrenal cortex, binds to its receptors in the hypothalamus and adenohypophysis and inhibits secretion of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). The drop in CRH secretion leads to a decrease in ACTH secretion, which in turn causes less cortisol to be secreted.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 12
Incorrect
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What is the most abundant hormone release by the thyroid?
Your Answer: T3
Correct Answer: T4
Explanation:T3 and T4 are the two tyrosine-based hormones produced and secreted by the thyroid gland. Although T3 is the active form of the hormone, and thus, it is much more potent; T4 is the most abundant hormone secreted by the thyroid (93% of the total thyroid secretion) and it also has a longer half life since it binds to proteins much more strongly.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 13
Incorrect
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Which one of the following features is least associated with primary hyperparathyroidism?
Your Answer: Peptic ulceration
Correct Answer: Sensory loss
Explanation:The signs and symptoms of primary hyperparathyroidism are those of hypercalcemia. They are classically summarized by stones, bones, abdominal groans, thrones and psychiatric overtones.
Stones refers to kidney stones, nephrocalcinosis, and diabetes insipidus (polyuria and polydipsia). These can ultimately lead to renal failure.
Bones refers to bone-related complications: osteitis fibrosa cystica, osteoporosis, osteomalacia, and arthritis.
Abdominal groans refers to gastrointestinal symptoms of constipation, indigestion, nausea and vomiting. Hypercalcemia can lead to peptic ulcers and acute pancreatitis.
Thrones refers to polyuria and constipation
Psychiatric overtones refers to effects on the central nervous system. Symptoms include lethargy, fatigue, depression, memory loss, psychosis, ataxia, delirium, and coma.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 14
Incorrect
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Select the correct statement regarding the macro anatomy of the thyroid gland.
Your Answer: It arises embryologically from the 3rd and 4th brachial pouches.
Correct Answer: It surrounds the trachea at the front of the neck.
Explanation:The thyroid is located around the trachea, in the anterior portion of the neck. It is formed by two lobes which are connected by an isthmus. The presence of a pyramidal lobe, or third lobe, is considered to be a normal anatomical variant. It originates from the primitive pharynx and the neural crest and has a rich vascular supply.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 15
Correct
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Which of the following predominate in the adrenal medulla?
Your Answer: Epinephrine secreting cells
Explanation:Chromaffin cells, also known as pheochromocytes, are cells located in the adrenal medulla which specialize in the synthesis, storage, and secretion of catecholamines: 80% epinephrine and 20% norepinephrine is released into the bloodstream. For this reason, they are considered to be neuroendocrine cells.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 16
Correct
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Which are the main hormones secreted by the posterior pituitary gland.
Your Answer: Oxytocin and vasopressin
Explanation:The posterior pituitary gland secretes oxytocin and vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone). These hormones are stored in Herring bodies before being secreted into the bloodstream.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 17
Incorrect
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Which enzyme is responsible for the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone?
Your Answer: 11β-hydroxylase
Correct Answer: 5α-reductase
Explanation:The enzyme 5α-reductase synthesizes DHT from testosterone in the prostate, testes, hair follicles, and adrenal glands. This enzyme reduces the 4,5 double-bond of the testosterone. Relative to testosterone, DHT is much more potent as an agonist of the androgen receptor.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 18
Incorrect
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Where is the melanocortin system located?
Your Answer: Pituitary
Correct Answer: Hypothalamus
Explanation:The melanocortin system is a group of hormones which include hormones from the pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)-expressing neurons, the neuropeptide Y (NPY) and agouti-related peptide (AgRP)-co-expressing neurons. This system is located in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus; it also includes the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus and the melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R)-expressing neurons located in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. The system regulates energy expenditure and food intake.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 19
Correct
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Where does the pituitary gland lie?
Your Answer: In a pocket of the sphenoid bone at the base of the brain
Explanation:The pituitary lies in a small depression in the sphenoid bone, known as the sella turcica or Turkish saddle.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 20
Incorrect
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Which one of the following will increase an individual’s appetite?
Your Answer: Glucagon-like peptide-1
Correct Answer: Ghrelin
Explanation:Ghrelin is a hormone which exerts a strong influence on hunger and energy balance. It helps regulate appetite by being secreted when the stomach is empty, to stimulate hunger. When the stomach is filled, its secretion stops.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 21
Incorrect
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Endotoxin will typically act on which one of the following cells, to produce endogenous pyrogens?
Your Answer: Eosinophils
Correct Answer: Monocytes
Explanation:Endotoxin, also known as lipopolysaccharides or lipoglycans, are molecules that consist of a lipid and a polysaccharide. They bind to many cell types, but especially to monocytes, promoting the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, acting as a pyrogen.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 22
Incorrect
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Which one of the following is not part of the WHO diagnostic criteria for the metabolic syndrome?
Your Answer: Low HDL
Correct Answer: High LDL
Explanation:The World Health Organization 1999 criteria require the presence of any one of diabetes mellitus, impaired glucose tolerance, impaired fasting glucose or insulin resistance, AND two of the following:
- Blood pressure: ≥ 140/90 mmHg
- Dyslipidaemia: triglycerides (TG): ≥ 1.695 mmol/L and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ≤ 0.9 mmol/L (male), ≤ 1.0 mmol/L (female)
- Central obesity: waist: hip ratio > 0.90 (male); > 0.85 (female), or body mass index > 30 kg/m2
- Microalbuminuria: urinary albumin excretion ratio ≥ 20 µg/min or albumin: creatinine ratio ≥ 30 mg/g
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 23
Correct
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What is the principle site of action of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)?
Your Answer: Adrenal gland
Explanation:Adrenocorticotropic hormone, also known as ACTH or corticotropin, is a polypeptide tropic hormone. It is synthesized by the corticotropic cells of the anterior pituitary. It works by regulating the secretion of glucocorticoid hormones from the cortex cells in the adrenal gland. It binds to the melanocortin (MC) 2 receptors on the surface of the adrenal zona glomerulosa cells, producing cortisol.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 24
Incorrect
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What microscopic changes are visible in an active thyroid gland?
Your Answer: Follicles are large
Correct Answer: Follicle lining cells are cuboid or columnar.
Explanation:Active follicles are lined by cuboidal or columnar cells; this is because active follicles are smaller and have less colloid. Their cells are tall because they are actively secreting hormones, whereas older follicles have a flat epithelium and are filled with more colloid.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 25
Incorrect
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Where is thyroglobulin produced?
Your Answer: Colloid
Correct Answer: Thyrocytes
Explanation:Thyroglobulin, or Tg, is a protein that functions as the precursor to thyroid hormones. It is synthesized by thyrocytes and then secreted into the colloid. It also functions as a negative-feedback regulator of thyroid hormone biosynthesis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 26
Incorrect
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Which of the following is not a feature of Liddle’s syndrome?
Your Answer: Alkalosis
Correct Answer: Autosomal recessive inheritance
Explanation:Liddle’s syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant condition characterized by early, and frequently severe, high blood pressure associated with low plasma renin activity, metabolic alkalosis, low blood potassium, and normal to low levels of aldosterone. Liddle syndrome involves abnormal kidney function, with excess reabsorption of sodium and loss of potassium from the renal tubule, and is treated with a combination of low sodium diet and potassium-sparing diuretic drugs (e.g., amiloride).
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 27
Incorrect
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Regarding the structure of the 3 pituitary glycoprotein hormones FSH, LH, and TSH, which of the following is true about the α- and β-subunits of each hormone?
Your Answer: They are produced by the same genes
Correct Answer: Maximal physiological activity occurs only on their combination
Explanation:Glycoprotein hormones (GPHs) are the most complex molecules that function as hormones. They each consist of two different subunits, α and β, which are non-covalently associated. The combination of these subunits results in an increase in their activity and β structure.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 28
Correct
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Which of the following is responsible for converting inactive cortisone to active cortisol in the adrenal gland?
Your Answer: 11βHSD type 1
Explanation:11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, also known as HSD-11β or 11β-HSD, is a group of enzymes which catalyse the interconversion of active cortisol and corticosterone with inert cortisone and 11-dehydrocorticosterone.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 29
Incorrect
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Which of the following stimuli increase growth hormone secretion?
Your Answer: Somatostatin
Correct Answer: Ghrelin
Explanation:Ghrelin is a hormone which serves as an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor. It acts on the pituitary and the hypothalamus by affecting the vagus nerve. It acts on the somatotrophs of the anterior pituitary, GHRH-secreting neurons, and on GHIH-secreting neurons in the hypothalamus, causing a time-dependent and pulsatile stimulation over the secretion of growth hormone.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 30
Correct
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Choose the correct statement regarding trabecular bone:
Your Answer: All of the options are correct
Explanation:Trabecular, spongy or cancellous bone. It is located inside the cortical bone and makes up around 20% of all bone in the body. It is made of spicules or plates with a high surface to volume ratio, where many cells sit on the surface of the end plates. It receives its nutrients from the extracellular fluid (ECF), exchanging about 10 mmol of calcium every 24 hours.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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SESSION STATS - PERFORMANCE PER SPECIALTY
