STEP 1 Content Outline

Endocrine System


Normal processes

  • embryonic development, fetal maturation, and perinatal changes
  • organ structure and function
    • hypothalamus, posterior and anterior pituitary gland
    • thyroid gland
    • parathyroid glands
    • adrenal cortex, adrenal medulla
    • pancreatic islets
    • ovary and testis
    • adipose tissue
  • cell/tissue structure and function, including hormone synthesis, secretion, action, and metabolism
    • peptide hormones
    • steroid hormones, including vitamin D
    • thyroid hormones
    • catecholamine hormones
    • renin-angiotensin system
  • repair, regeneration, and changes associated with stage of life

Abnormal processes

  • infectious, inflammatory, and immunologic disorders (eg, subacute thyroiditis, Graves disease, sarcoidosis)
  • traumatic and mechanical disorders
  • neoplastic disorders (eg, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal cortex, pancreatic islets, neural crest, pheochromocytoma)
  • metabolic and regulatory processes (eg, diabetes mellitus, pituitary, hypothalamus, thyroid, parathyroid, pancreatic islet disorders, adrenal disorders)
  • vascular disorders (eg, pituitary apoplexy)
  • systemic disorders affecting the endocrine system
  • idiopathic disorders (eg, hirsutism)

Principles of therapeutics

  • mechanisms of action, use, and adverse effects of drugs for treatment of disorders of the endocrine system
    • hormones and hormone analogs
    • stimulators of hormone production (eg, sulfonylureas)
    • inhibitors of hormone production (eg, thiouracils)
    • hormone antagonists
    • potentiators of hormone action (eg, thiazolidinediones)
    • antiobesity agents
  • other therapeutic modalities (eg, surgery, radiation)

Gender, ethnic, and behavioral considerations affecting disease treatment and prevention, including psychosocial, cultural, occupational, and environmental

  • emotional and behavioral factors (eg, compliance in diabetes mellitus, factitious use of insulin, psychogenic polydipsia)
  • influence on person, family, and society
  • occupational and other environmental risk factors (eg, radiation exposure, iodine deficiency)
  • gender and ethnic factors