News Articles February 2022
Written on 04 February 2022.
Posterior
Pertaining to being behind another structure – toward the back of the body.
Posterior pituitary: The back portion of the pituitary, a small gland in the head called the master gland.
The posterior pituitary secretes the hormone oxytocin which increases uterine contractions and antidiuretic hormone (ADH) which increases reabsorption of water by the tubules of the kidney. Underproduction of ADH results in a disorder called diabetes insipidus characterized by inability to concentrate the urine and, consequently, excess urination leading potentially to dehydration. The urine is “insipid” (overly dilute).
Posteroanterior View
View in the direction from the back toward the front.
A term denoting the direction of view or progression, from postanterior to anterior, through a part.
PQCT
Peripheral quantitative computerized tomography.
An imaging technique used to measure body composition.
Primary Amenorrhea
The inability to menstruate, caused by a failure of sexual maturation and function.
Specifically refers to patients who have not ahd any menses whatsoever. Concern arises if menses have not developed prior to age 14. Secondary amenorrhea is loss of menses in a patient who previously had menses.
Primary Brain Tumor
Original source of tumor in the brain rather than other areas of the body.
A primary brain tumor is a mass created by the growth or uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal cells in the brain. The cause of primary brain tumors is unknown. Primary brain tumors may be located in only a small area or spread to nearby areas (invasive), non cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant).
Brain tumors are classified depending on the exact site of the tumor, the type of tissue involved, and whether or not it is cancerous. Brain tumors can directly destroy brain cells; or indirectly damage cells by putting pressure on other parts of the brain, leading to swelling and increased pressure within the skull.
Primitive
Undeveloped or in early stages of development, undifferentiated.
Stem cells are primitive precursor cells that are found in most organ systems of the body.
Probe
A surgical instrument for penetrating and exploring bodily passages and cavities.
1) A slender rod of flexible material, with blunt bulbous tip, used for exploring sinuses, fistulas, other cavities, or wounds.
2) A device or agent used to detect or explore a substance; e.g., a molecule used to detect the presence of a specific frag ment of DNA or RNA or of a specific bacterial colony.
3) To enter and explore, as with a probe.
Progesterone
Progesterone
A sex hormone which is made in the ovaries and during pregnancy, by the placenta as well.
Progesterone helps to build up the endometrium during the menstrual cycle.
Prognosis
A forecast as to probable outcome.
A forecast as to probable outcome.
Prostate Gland
An organized cluster of cells functioning as a secretory or excretory organ around the chestnut-shaped body, surrounding the beginning of the urethra in the male.
The secretion of the glands is a milky fluid that is discharged by excretory ducts into the prostatic urethra at the time of the emission of semen.
Available Now!
The Pituitary Patient Resource Guide Sixth Edition is now available! Be one of the first to have the most up-to-date information. The Pituitary Patient Resource Guide a one of a kind publication intended as an invaluable source of information not only for patients but also their families, physicians, and all health care providers. It contains information on symptoms, proper testing, how to get a diagnosis, and the treatment options that are available. It also includes Pituitary Network Association's patient resource listings for expert medical care.
Xeris Pharmaceuticals is valued member of the PNA
Continuing Education Program
