2. Suffixes relating to the
endocrine system
• In this presentation I will present two suffixes and build a term
regarding the endocrine system with those suffixes.
• The suffixes I will be reporting on are :
• -ine
• -emia
• The suffix –ine means “to secrete”. We see this suffix in
“endocrine system”
• The suffix –emia is used for a blood condition. We see this
suffix in “hypercalcemia”.
3. The endocrine system
• The endocrine system is a collection of glands that secrete
hormones directly in the bloodstream that are responsible for
regulating many body activities such as metabolic rate, water
and mineral balance, immune system reactions and sexual
functioning.
• The endocrine system’s organs are the pituitary gland, the
pineal gland, the thyroid gland, the parathyroid glands, the
thymus gland, the adrenal glands, the pancreas and the
ovaries and testes.
4. Endocrine system organs and
functions
• Pineal gland: regulates circadian
rhythm
• Pituitary gland: regulates many
other endocrine glands
• Thyroid gland: regulates
metabolic rate
• Parathyroid gland: regulates
blood calcium level
• Thymus gland: development of
immune system
• Adrenal glands: regulate water
and electrolyte levels
• Pancreas: regulate blood sugar
levels
• Ovaries: regulate female
reproductive system
• Testes: regulate male
reproductive system
5. Hypercalcemia and its causes
• Hypercalcemia is too much calcium in the blood.
• The parathyroid glands located on the dorsal surface of the
thyroid gland are responsible for the secretion of PTH: the
parathyroid hormone. The secretion of this hormone is
responsible for regulating the amount of calcium in the blood.
• Hyperparathyroidism is the leading cause for hypercalcemia. It
is a disorder in which the parathyroid glands in your neck
produce too much parathyroid hormone (PTH) which leads to
too much calcium in the blood.
7. Other causes of Hypercalcemia
• Adrenal gland failure
• An inherited condition that affects the body's ability to
regulate calcium
• Being bedbound (or not being able to move) for a long period
of time
• Calcium excess in the diet (usually due to at least 2,000
milligrams of calcium per day)
• Hyperthyroidism
• Kidney failure
• Excess intake of water pills
• Some cancerous tumors (for example, lung cancers, breast
cancer)
• Vitamin D excess from diet or inflammatory diseases
8. Symptoms associated with
hypercalcemia
• Abdominal symptoms: constipation, nausea, pain, poor
appetite and vomiting
• Kidney symptoms: flank pain, frequent thirst and frequent
urination
• Muscle symptoms: muscle twitches and weaknesses
• Psychological symptoms: apathy, dementia, depression,
irritability, memory loss
• Skeletal symptoms: bone pain, bowing of the shoulder, loss of
height, fractures due to disease and spinal column curvature
9. Treatments
• In people with severe hyperparathyroidism surgery may be
needed to remove the abnormal parathyroid gland and cure
the hypercalcemia.
• However, if the hypercalcemia is mild, you may have the
option of simply monitoring your condition closely over time
