Differentiate Cushing’s syndrome from Cushing’s disease. Cushing’s syndrome refers to hypercortisolemia and its associated signs and symptoms due to any cause. Cushing’s disease refers specifically to hypercortisolemia due to ACTH overproduction by a pituitary adenoma. The most common cause of Cushing’s syndrome is iatrogenic due to exogenous steroid treatment for a variety of conditions (rheumatologic, [...]

Summarize the general functions of the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is the “master gland” of the endocrine system. It is involved in many body functions, including growth and development, metabolism, and reproduction. These functions are regulated by the secretion of hormones that interact at specific target organ sites. Describe the anterior pituitary gland. The [...]