ADRENAL DISORDERS

Question 1

parts of adrenal gland and what they secrete

Answer 1

adrenal medulla- inner 1/4
- secretes catecholamines (epi) in fight or flight

adrenal cortex- outer 3/4
- secretes steroid hormones (aldosterone, androgens/estrogens/progesterone, glucocorticoids–> cortisol)

Question 2

catecholamines
- primary
- functions

Answer 2

Primary
- dopamine, epi, norepi

functions
- inc alertness, transmit nerve impulses in brain
- stim gluconeogenesis, fatty acid release for energy
- dilates bronchioles and pupils
- norepi–> constrict BV, inc BP
- epi—> inc HR and metabolic rate

released in response to stress/triggered by SNS

Question 3

aldosterone
- secreted from where and when

Answer 3

released via RAAS
- dec in MAP bp–> activates aldosterone to inc BP
- triggers inc Na+ reabsorp and K+ secretion in distal tubules+collecting duct

Question 4

cortisol
- secreted where and when

Answer 4

HPA pathway
- CRH—>ACTH—>cortisol
- typically secreted contiunously with diurnal rhythm (peak in morning, diminish overnight, also inc w/stress)

Question 5

cortisol effects

Answer 5

protect against hypoglycemia
- promotes gluconeogenesis
- enhances lipolysis (fatty acid for energy)
- supresses immune system
- reduce circulating calcium

cortisol is catabolic

Question 6

cushings sydrome v. disease

Answer 6

syndrome: sx due to inc cortisol secretion
disease: cushing syndrome + pituitary adenoma (inc ACTH)

Question 7

cushing syndrome
- causes

Answer 7

most to least common (I PASS ALL E)
- Iatrogenic (prescribed steroids is MCC)
- pituitary tumor (ds, inc ACTH)
- adrenal adenoma or carcinoma
- ectopic ACTH production (SCC, thymoma ca, pancreatic islet ca)