11. Endocrine Pathology

This chapter presents representative images of common diseases of the major endocrine organs. Some of these disorders are also described in other chapters, including the chapters on the genital tract, the central nervous system (pituitary), the gastrointestinal and respiratory systems (carcinoids), and the lymphatic tissues (thymus). Most disorders of the endocrine system become evident clinically on the basis of hypersecretion of hormones (hyperfunction), hyposecretion of hormones (hypofunction), or the presence of mass lesions, which may be evident on physical examination or radiologic studies. Hyperfunction is generally associated with hyperplasia or benign or malignant tumors, whereas hypofunction is generally associated with atrophy of the affected endocrine gland or with various destructive lesions that impair endocrine function. Some endocrine disorders have an infectious origin; others are the result of autoimmune mechanisms. In some instances, autoimmunity may underlie the development of hyperfunctional states, such as Graves’ disease, or hypofunctional states, such as Hashimoto’s disease.