Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Endocrine- MHD > Adrenal Gland > Flashcards

Adrenal Gland Flashcards

1
Q

From what germ layer is the adrenal cortex derived?

A

Mesoderm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

From what tissue does the adrenal medulla arise?

A

Neuroectoderm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is secreted by the zona glomerulosa?

A

Mineralocorticoids- aldosterone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is secreted by the zona fasciculata?

A

Glucocorticoids- cortisol

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is secreted by the zona reticularis?

A

Sex steroids- progestins, estrogens, androgens

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the most common cause of Cushing’s syndrome?

A

Exogenous administration of glucocorticoids (corticosteroids)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is Cushing’s disease?

A

Subset of Cushing’s syndrome:

Hypercortisolism caused by primary hypothalamic pituitary disease associated with hypersecretion of ACTH.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the most common cause of Cushing’s disease?

A

Pituitary adenoma leading to excess secretion of ACTH

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Most of the time, are adrenal adenomas functional or non-functional?

A

Non-Functional!

If they are functional, they produce the mineralocorticoids or glucocorticoids

Generally, functional carcinomas or hyperplasia leads to secretion of sex hormones

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is Conn Syndrome?

A

Aldosterone producing adenoma of the adrenal gland

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the most common cause of hyperaldosteronism?

A

Bilateral idiopathic hyperaldosteronism- nodular hyperplasia of the adrenal glands

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are the clinical manifestations of hyperaldosteronism?

A

Hypertension and hypokalemia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Describe the pathology of congenital adrenal hyperplasia

A

AR enzyme deficiency in the synthesis of cortisol leads to excess ACTH and consequently adrenal hyperplasia. Excess precursors build up and this leads to increased production of androgens.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Which is the most common enzyme deficiency leading to congenital adrenal hyperplasia?

A

21 hydroxylase

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Why must withdrawal from corticosteroid therapy be tapered?

A

Acute withdrawal can lead to adrenal insufficiency

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is Addison’s Disease?

A

Destruction of the adrenal cortex with multiple etiologies leading to hypofunction

17
Q

What part of the adrenal glands are destroyed in autoimmune adrenalitis?

A

All cortical zones

18
Q

Name two inherited disorders that predispose you to an adrenal carcinoma

A

Li-Fraumeni - germline mutations in p53

Beckwith Wiedemann Syndrome- (overgrowth disorder)

19
Q

What is the prognosis of adrenal carcinomas?

A

Very bad- survival less than 2 years

They have a tendency to invade the vasculature

20
Q

What is the cell of origin of a pheochromocytoma?

A

Chromaffin cells (neuroendocrine cells) of the adrenal medulla

21
Q

What is the main symptoms of a pheochromocytoma?

A

HTN- due to release of catecholamines

22
Q

Name 6 genes associated with familial pheochromocytomas

A

RET (Men II and III)
NF1
VHL
SDHB, SDHC, SDHD

23
Q

What is required for the definition of malignant pheochromocytoma?

A

Metastasis

24
Q

Labile or paroxysmal hypertension is associated with which adrenal pathology?

A

Pheochromocytoma

25
Q

Where do neuroblastomas arise?

A

In the adrenal medulla or extra-adrenal paraganglionic tissues

26
Q

How do neuroblastomas appear on histology?

A

Small, round blue cells arranged in rosettes

27
Q

What is the inheritance pattern of MEN I?

A

Autosomal dominent

28
Q

What is the gene affected in MEN I?

A

MENI gene: 11q13 - a tumor suppressor gene

29
Q

What are the three organs involved in MEN I?

A

3 Ps

Pancreas, parathyroid, and pituitary

30
Q

What is the most common manifestation of MEN I?

A

Primary hyperparathyroidism- hyperplasia or adenoma

31
Q

What is the leading cause of death in MEN I?

A

Endocrine tumors of the pancreas

They are functional tumors and they metastasize

32
Q

What is the most commonly secreted hormone from the pituitary adenomas of MEN I

33
Q

What is the inheritance pattern of MEN 2A?

A

Autosomal Dominant

34
Q

What is the gene affected in MEN 2A?

A

RET protooncogene (10q11.2)

35
Q

What are the three organs affected in MEN 2A?

A

Thyroid- medullary carcinomas
Adrenal Medulla- pheochromocytomas
Parathyroid- hyperthyroidism

36
Q

What is the most common primary manifestation of MEN 2A?

A

Medullary carcinoma of the thyroid is seen in virtually all untreated cases in the first 2 decades

37
Q

What differentiates MEN 2A from MEN 2B?

A

No parathyroid manifestations, but instead there are mucosal ganglioneuromas with marfanoid habitus observed

38
Q

What is the recommendation for patients found to have Ret mutations?

A

Prophylactic thyroidectomy to prevent the onset of medullary carcinomas

Endocrine- MHD (17 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions