Endocrine System and Disorders

What the page covers

This unit sits in the Renal, Endocrine, Metabolic and Reproductive Medicine strand of Internal medicine, pathology and clinical semiology. Most of it is mind maps, with quizzes, flashcard decks, notes, slide sets and flowcharts alongside. Diabetes appears again and again, in several maps, decks and quizzes. Thyroid, adrenal, pituitary and parathyroid disorders are also well covered.

Where to start

For an overview, open the Endocrine Pathology mind map. It sorts disease into primary and secondary hypofunction and hyperfunction, which gives you a frame for everything else. Then move to a single gland.

• Thyroid: begin with the Thyroid Tumors mind map, which separates benign from malignant types, and the Hashimoto disease map. The Endocrinology note adds thyroid cancer types.
• Adrenal: read the Adrenal Insufficiency and Addison's Disease maps, then the Cushing's Disease map.
• Diabetes: the Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus map covers care goals and patient education, and the Diabetic Ketoacidosis map covers hyperglycaemia, ketonuria and metabolic acidosis.

Using maps and quizzes together

Read a map first, then test yourself. The DM QUIZ endocrine quiz uses a clinical case of a man with type 2 diabetes, so it asks you to apply what you know. The Endocrinology Exam Questions quiz and the MedSurg II Endocrine Practice Exam suit broader checks. Note the questions you miss, go back to the matching map, then try again.

Revising for exams

Some listed resources mention USMLE, ATI and MRCP. Flashcard decks such as Primary Hyperaldosteronism, Pituitary disease and Hypercalcaemia are handy for short sessions. Flowcharts on the anterior pituitary, the adrenal gland and the thyroid give a quick visual check of each system.

Teachers and next steps

Teachers can pick maps, quizzes or slide sets to use as they are. Choose one gland, work through its map and quiz, then build your own flashcards from the gaps you find.