ABSTRACT
The classic endocrine system consists of the pituitary gland, pineal gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid gland, adrenal gland, the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas, and the endocrine cells of the gonads. Diseases of the classic endocrine system may present with either too much or too little secretory activity. Endocrine pathology is a rapidly moving field where recent advances in molecular pathology have contributed knowledge about the origins of many diseases and provided additional tools to help stratify disease and guide treatment. Secretion of hormones from the anterior pituitary commonly shows a circadian rhythm, which may be altered by disease or external stimuli. The disease usually presents between 30 and 50 years, it has an insidious onset and is slowly progressing with symptoms related to overgrowth of soft tissues and bone. Infarction of the gland may also occur with Sheehan's syndrome, disseminated intravenous coagulation, long-term ventilation, sickle cell disease, raised intracranial pressure, or diabetes mellitus.
