Chapter 5 The liver Introduction The liver is of vital importance in intermediary metabolism and in the detoxification and elimination of toxic substances (Fig. 5.1). Damage to the organ may…

Chapter 13 Plasma proteins and enzymes Introduction Proteins are present in all body fluids, but it is the proteins of the blood plasma that are examined most frequently for diagnostic…

Chapter 9 The thyroid gland Introduction The thyroid gland secretes three hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), both of which are iodinated derivatives of tyrosine (Fig. 9.1), and calcitonin, a…

Chapter 8 The adrenal glands Introduction The adrenal glands have two functionally distinct parts: the cortex and the medulla. The adrenal cortex is essential to life; it produces three classes…

Chapter 7 The hypothalamus and the pituitary gland Introduction The pituitary gland consists of two parts, the anterior pituitary, or adenohypophysis, and the posterior pituitary, or neurohypophysis. Although closely related…

Chapter 21 Clinical chemistry at the extremes of age Old age The investigation and management of illness in the elderly poses a number of special problems, for both the physician…

Chapter 19 Therapeutic drug monitoring and chemical aspects of toxicology Introduction Clinical chemistry laboratories are called upon to measure drugs in body fluids for three main purposes: • to provide…

Chapter 16 Inherited metabolic diseases Introduction Many inherited diseases are known to be due to the genetically determined absence or modification of specific proteins. For example, in sickle cell anaemia,…

Chapter 10 The gonads Introduction Androgens and testicular function The testes are responsible for the synthesis of the male sex hormones (androgens) and the production of spermatozoa. The most important…

Chapter 20 Clinical nutrition Introduction An adequate intake of nutrients is essential for normal growth and development and for the maintenance of health. These nutrients include proteins, to supply amino…