This fourth edition of Endocrine Physiology provides
comprehensive coverage of the fundamental concepts of hormone biological
action. The content has been revised and edited to enhance clarity and
understanding, and illustrations have been added and annotated to highlight
the principal concepts in each chapter. In addition, the answers to the test
questions at the end of the chapter have been expanded to include
explanations for the correct answers.
The concepts
herein provide the basis by which first- and second-year medical students
will better grasp the physiologic mechanisms involved in neuroendocrine
regulation of organ function. The information presented is also meant to
serve as a reference for residents and fellows. The objectives listed at the
beginning of each chapter follow those established and revised in 2012 by
the American Physiological Society for each hormone system and are the
topics tested in Step I of the United States Medical Licensing Examination
(USMLE).
As with any discipline in science and
medicine, our understanding of endocrine molecular physiology has changed
and continues to evolve to encompass neural, immune, and metabolic
regulation and interaction. The suggested readings have been updated to
provide guidance for more in-depth understanding of the concepts presented.
They are by no means all inclusive, but were found by the author to be of
great help in putting the information together.
The first chapter describes the organization of the endocrine system, as
well as general concepts of hormone production and release, transport and
metabolic fate, and cellular mechanisms of action. Chapters 2–9
discuss specific endocrine systems and describe the specific hormone
produced by each system in the context of the regulation of its production
and release, the target physiologic actions, and the clinical implications
of either its excess or deficiency. Each chapter starts with a short
description of the functional anatomy of the organ, highlighting important
features pertaining to circulation, location, or cellular composition that
have a direct effect on its endocrine function. Understanding the mechanisms
underlying normal endocrine physiology is essential in order to understand
the transition from health to disease and the rationale involved in
pharmacological, surgical, or genetic interventions. Thus, the salient
features involved in determination of abnormal hormone production,
regulation or function are also described. Each chapter includes simple
diagrams illustrating some of the key concepts presented and concludes with
sample questions designed to test the overall assimilation of the
information given. The key concepts provided in each chapter correspond to
the particular section of the chapter that describes them. Chapter 10
illustrates how the individual endocrine systems described throughout the
book dynamically interact in maintaining homeostasis.
As with the previous editions of this book; the modifications are driven by
the questions raised by my students during lecture or when studying for an
examination. Those questions have been the best way of gauging the clarity
of the writing and they have also alerted me when unnecessary description
complicated or obscured the understanding of a basic concept. Improved
learning and understanding of the concepts by our students continues to be
my inspiration. I would like to thank them, as well as all the faculty of
the Department of Physiology at LSUHSC for their dedication to the teaching
of this discipline.