Adrenal Anatomy Flashcards
The adrenal gland is divided into two functionally distinct components.
Name these components
Cortex (outer layer)
Medulla (inner layer)
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
Embryonic mesoderm
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
Ectodermal neural crest cell
The adrenal cortex can be diveded into 3 layers.
Name these layers
Mnemonic: GFR
Zona glomerulosa (outer layer)
Zona fasciculata (middle)
Zona reticularis (inner)
What is the function of the Zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex
Produce and secrete mineralocorticoids e.g. aldosterone
How is the release of mineralocorticoids from the zone glomerulosa controlled
Primarily controlled by the renin-angiotensin system
What is the function of the Zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex
Produce and secrete glucocorticoid e.g. cortisol
What is the outer most layer of the adrenal cortex
Zona glomerulosa
What is the middle layer of the adrenal cortex
Zona fasciculata
How is the release of glucocorticoids from the zone fasciculata controlled
Controlled by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA)
What is the main mineralocorticoid the zona glomerulosa secretes
Aldosterone
What is the main glucocorticoid the zona fasciculata secretes
Cortisol
What is the inner layer of the adrenal cortex
Zona reticularis
What is the function of the Zona reticularis of the adrenal cortex
Function is to produce and secrete androgens e.g. DHEA
What is the main androgen precursor does the zona reticularis secretes
DHEA
Which layer of the adrenal gland produce mineralocorticoids
Zona glomerulosa
Which layer of the adrenal gland produce glucocorticoids
Zona fasciculata
Which layer of the adrenal gland produce androgen precursors
Zona reticularis
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
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
Describe the steroid hormone derived synthesis
All are derived from cholesterol
What is function of the adrenal medulla
Contains chromaffin cells which produce catecholamines e.g., noradrenaline, adrenaline, dopamine
Which cells found in the adrenal medulla produce catecholamines e.g., noradrenaline, adrenaline, dopamine
Chromaffin cells
Where does the catecholamines, produced and secreted by the adrenal medulla, secrete into
Directly into the blood stream
