Adrenal Anatomy

Question 1

The adrenal gland is divided into two functionally distinct components.

Name these components

Answer 1

Cortex (outer layer)

Medulla (inner layer)

Question 2

The adrenal gland is divided into cortex and medulla. The cortex and medulla are derived from two different embryological origins.

What is the embryological origin of the cortex

Answer 2

Embryonic mesoderm

Question 3

The adrenal gland is divided into cortex and medulla. The cortex and medulla are derived from two different embryological origins.

What is the embryological origin of the medulla

Answer 3

Ectodermal neural crest cell

Question 4

The adrenal cortex can be diveded into 3 layers.

Name these layers

Answer 4

Mnemonic: GFR

Zona glomerulosa (outer layer)

Zona fasciculata (middle)

Zona reticularis (inner)

Question 5

What is the function of the Zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex

Answer 5

Produce and secrete mineralocorticoids e.g. aldosterone

Question 6

How is the release of mineralocorticoids from the zone glomerulosa controlled

Answer 6

Primarily controlled by the renin-angiotensin system

Question 7

What is the function of the Zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex

Answer 7

Produce and secrete glucocorticoid e.g. cortisol

Question 8

What is the outer most layer of the adrenal cortex

Answer 8

Zona glomerulosa

Question 9

What is the middle layer of the adrenal cortex

Answer 9

Zona fasciculata

Question 10

How is the release of glucocorticoids from the zone fasciculata controlled

Answer 10

Controlled by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA)

Question 11

What is the main mineralocorticoid the zona glomerulosa secretes

Answer 11

Aldosterone

Question 12

What is the main glucocorticoid the zona fasciculata secretes

Answer 12

Cortisol

Question 13

What is the inner layer of the adrenal cortex

Answer 13

Zona reticularis

Question 14

What is the function of the Zona reticularis of the adrenal cortex

Answer 14

Function is to produce and secrete androgens e.g. DHEA

Question 15

What is the main androgen precursor does the zona reticularis secretes

Answer 15

DHEA

Question 16

Which layer of the adrenal gland produce mineralocorticoids

Answer 16

Zona glomerulosa

Question 17

Which layer of the adrenal gland produce glucocorticoids

Answer 17

Zona fasciculata

Question 18

Which layer of the adrenal gland produce androgen precursors

Answer 18

Zona reticularis

Question 19

The layers of the adrenal cortex can be remembered as “GFR” with their production remembered as salt, sugar and sex.

Knowing this name each layer and what they secrete

Answer 19

G - Salt

Zona Glomerulosa secretes mineralocorticoids e.g. aldosterone

F - Sugar

Zona fasciculata secrete glucocorticoids e.g. cortisol

R - Sex

Zona reticularis secrete androgens e.g. DHEA

Question 20

Describe the steroid hormone derived synthesis

Answer 20

All are derived from cholesterol

Question 21

What is function of the adrenal medulla

Answer 21

Contains chromaffin cells which produce catecholamines e.g., noradrenaline, adrenaline, dopamine

Question 22

Which cells found in the adrenal medulla produce catecholamines e.g., noradrenaline, adrenaline, dopamine

Answer 22

Chromaffin cells

Question 23

Where does the catecholamines, produced and secreted by the adrenal medulla, secrete into

Answer 23

Directly into the blood stream