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A 30-year-old female presents with a need

to progressively buy larger and wider shoes.
She also cannot wear any of her rings anymore
because they are too small. A physical exam
shows a prominent brow, protruding lower jaw, and spaces between all of her teeth. This
woman may have a tumor in which one of the
following organs/tissues?
(A) Hypothalamus
(B) Bone marrow
(C) Adrenal glands
(D) Pancreas
(E) Adipose tissue

User Mkhatib
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1 Answer

7 votes

Final answer:

The woman's symptoms including enlarged extremities and facial bone growth suggest acromegaly, typically resulting from a tumor in the pituitary gland, causing excessive production of Growth Hormone. The hypothalamus (option A) would be the related organ in the options provided that can influence pituitary activity.

Step-by-step explanation:

The symptoms described in the question, including the need for progressively larger shoes due to enlarged hands and feet, inability to wear rings, a prominent brow, protruding lower jaw, and spaces between teeth, suggest that this woman may be suffering from acromegaly. Acromegaly is caused by excessive production of Growth Hormone (GH) which is often due to a tumor in the pituitary gland, specifically in the adenohypophysis (anterior pituitary). This condition results in excessive body growth particularly affecting the bones of the hands, feet, and face. Thus, the organ likely to harbor the tumor based on the presentation of symptoms is the hypothalamus (A), which is closely linked to the pituitary gland and can influence its activity. However, the description is more directly indicative of a tumor in the pituitary gland itself, which is not one of the options given. The hypothalamus is the closest related organ mentioned that could influence GH release and cause these symptoms. It's important to note that for an accurate diagnosis, medical imaging and hormonal assays would be required.

User Hithere Paperbag
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