Adrenal Gland

Question 1

Where is the adrenal glad?

Answer 1

A pyramid shaped gland sits on top of each kidney.

Question 2

Where is adrenal medulla & what does it secrete?

Answer 2

Adrenal medulla is central in the gland.
Medulla secretes epinephrine & norepinephrine.

Question 3

Where is the adrenal cortex & what does it secrete?

Answer 3

Adrenal cortex is the outside of the adrenal gland and it secretes corticosteroids.
Mainly cortisol & aldosterone.

Question 4

What does the aldosterone hormone do?

Answer 4

It regulates the re absorption of sodium and the excretion of potassium by the kidneys.
Increases blood pressure.

Question 5

What does the cortisol hormone do?

Answer 5

Breaks down increased protein & mobilisation of free fatty acid.
Suppression of immune response.
Assistant with stress response.
Maintenance of blood pressure & cardiovascular function.

Question 6

What does adrenaline and noradrenaline hormones do?

Answer 6

Intensify the effect of the sympathetic nervous system.
Flight or fight response.
Dilation of bronchioles.
Increases blood pressure.
Increases blood glucose.
Increases heart rate.

Question 7

Name 3 adrenal gland disorders.

Answer 7

Addisons disease.
Adrenal crisis.
Cushing’s syndrome.

Question 8

What is Addison’s disease?

Answer 8

Adrenal gland dysfunction - Hypo secretion of cortisol & aldosterone.
More common in women.
Can effect any one at any age, but most commonly between the age of 30 - 50.

Question 9

Addisons disease occurs in 2 forms. Primary & secondary. Explain:

Answer 9

Primary originates within the adrenal gland. Decreased mineralocorticoid, glucocorticoid & androgen secretion.
Secondary originates outside the gland i.e pituitary dysfunction.

Question 10

Causes of Addisons disease:

Answer 10

Autoimmune.
Congenital.
Infections such as TB, Flu, HIV
Adrenal metastasis.
Amyloidosis.
Haemochromatosis.
Adrenalectomy.
Adrenal haemorrhage from anticoagulant therapy.

Question 11

Signs & symptoms of Addisons disease.

Answer 11

Weight loss.
Fatigue & weakness.
D&V
Nausea.
Muscle wasting & cramps.
Hypoglycaemia.
Dizziness.
Loss of body hair.
Skin pigmentation.
Skin discolouration-dull, grey/brown.
Vitiligo.
Circulatory shock.

Question 12

Endocrine emergency. And renal crisis.

Answer 12

Acute life threatening event.
Cortisol deficiency.
Illness or trauma.
Hypotension.
Hypovolaemic shock.
Vomiting.
Fever.
Hypoglycaemia.
Hyponatraemia.
Hyperkalaemia.
Abdominal pain.