Description
The Endocrine System II course will review the basic principles of endocrine hormone signaling, storage, secretion and action. Abnormalities in normal endocrine physiology will be discussed through pathophysiologic correlations and clinical discussions. The course will emphasize the hypothalamic/pituitary complex, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, and endocrine functions of the pancreas. Students are expected to be familiar with the hypofunctioning or hyperfunctioning of key endocrine glands, the structure, secretion and action of endocrine hormones (peptide, steroid and thyroid hormones), and the major clinical endocrine disorders related thereto. Pharmacology as it relates to hormone secretion and action will be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the pathophysiology of each endocrine gland with the intent to use the general principles of endocrine pathophysiology and pharmacology to effectively diagnose, manage and care for patients with endocrine disorders.