The Encyclopedia of Endocrine Diseases, Third Edition, Five Volume Set is an essential one-stop reference exploring physiological, clinical diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of a wide range of endocrine and endocrine-related metabolic diseases. This edition incorporates ground-breaking research that has occurred in the last 8 years particularly in molecular mechanisms such as mutations, epigenetics and signaling, environmental effects on homeostasis, and the pathogenesis of common endocrine diseases including endocrine malignancies, obesity, and diabetes. Among the most complex constructs in the body, the endocrine system sends chemical signals to specific receptors in other parts of the body, eliciting intracellular signaling pathways as their biological effect. The endocrine system regulates numerous processes including metabolism, biological cycles, internal fluid volume, reproduction and growth to maintain body homeostasis. However, the ways in which endocrine functioning can go awry are numerous. Providing over 400 updated articles, this 5 volume edition of Encyclopedia of Endocrine Diseases explores the extensive spectrum of metabolic and endocrine disease, capturing new diagnosis techniques, treatment methods and understanding of endocrine pathogenesis. This text, unique in its vast coverage and clear layout, is not only an indispensable resource for clinical professionals and researchers in endocrinology, but also accessible to advanced and undergraduate students. Provides concise descriptions of the physiology and pathology of endocrine and metabolic functions. These will help students, as well as interdisciplinary and industrial researchers, who wish to understand how their research relates to endocrine and metabolic function. Incorporates perspectives from experts working within the domains of biomedicine such as physiology, pharmacology, immunology, and genetics, and clinical sciences such as pediatrics, metabolism, gynecology, geriatrics, and neurology Features cross-referencing of related articles along with striking X-ray, histological and diagrammatic images Articles are written with the online user in mind They follow a clear and consistent template that enables the effective use of multimedia