Endocrinology Practice Questions

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Adrenaline. In injury to the adrenal cortex, adrenaline is least affected because it is primarily synthesized and secreted by the adrenal medulla, not the adrenal cortex. Cortisol, aldosterone, and androstenedione are hormones produced by the adrenal cortex. In adrenal cortex injury, the secretion of cortisol, aldosterone, and androstenedione would be significantly affected due to the damage to the adrenal cortex, leading to hormonal imbalance and related symptoms. Therefore, option A is the correct answer as it is not primarily secreted by the adrenal cortex and would be least affected in this scenario.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Bi-temporal hemianopia. Pituitary adenoma compressing the optic chiasm typically leads to bi-temporal hemianopia due to compression of the crossing fibers from the nasal visual fields. This results in loss of peripheral vision in both temporal visual fields. A: Bilateral inferior visual field deficits and B: Bilateral superior visual field deficits are less likely as they are not typical patterns associated with optic chiasm compression. D: Right homonymous hemianopia is incorrect as it is not associated with compression of the optic chiasm by a pituitary adenoma.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because the anterior pituitary is regulated by hypothalamic neuropeptides. The hypothalamus secretes releasing and inhibiting hormones that control the anterior pituitary's hormone release. This close interaction between the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary is known as the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. A is incorrect because the anterior pituitary is not neural tissue, it is an endocrine gland. B is incorrect because the anterior pituitary synthesizes and secretes peptide hormones, not steroid hormones. C is incorrect because the anterior pituitary is located at the base of the brain, not above the kidney.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Rationale: A: Correct. Cushing's disease is caused by a pituitary adenoma secreting excess ACTH, stimulating adrenal cortex to produce excess cortisol. B: Incorrect. Cushing's disease does not result from excess cortisol secretion by the pituitary adenoma. C: Incorrect. Cushing's disease is not caused by an adrenal adenoma secreting excess ACTH. D: Incorrect. Cushing's disease is not caused by an adrenal adenoma secreting excess cortisol. Summary: The correct answer is A because it accurately describes the pathophysiology of Cushing's disease, where a pituitary adenoma secretes excess ACTH leading to increased cortisol production. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they misinterpret the primary source of hormone overproduction in Cushing's disease.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale: 1. Tertiary hyperparathyroidism occurs due to prolonged secondary hyperparathyroidism in response to chronic renal failure. 2. In chronic renal failure, impaired kidney function leads to reduced activation of vitamin D and impaired calcium regulation. 3. Persistent hypocalcemia triggers the parathyroid glands to overproduce parathyroid hormone, leading to tertiary hyperparathyroidism. 4. Rickets (choice A) is associated with vitamin D deficiency, pseudohypoparathyroidism (choice B) is a genetic disorder, and malabsorption syndrome (choice D) affects nutrient absorption, but they are not commonly linked to tertiary hyperparathyroidism.