Adrenal Gland

Question 1

Medulla origin

Answer 1

Sympathetic ganglion (neuroendocrine)

Question 2

Medulla secretions

Answer 2

Catecholamines

- e.g. epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine

Question 3

Cortex secretions

Answer 3

Steroids:
Mineralocorticoids
Glucocorticoids
Androgens

Question 4

Mineralocorticoids

Answer 4

From zona glomerulosa
Regulate Na+ and K+
- e.g. aldosterone

Question 5

Glucocorticoids

Answer 5

From zona fasciculata
Maintains plasma glucose
- e.g. cortisol

Question 6

Androgens

Answer 6

From zona reticularis
Sex steroids
- e.g. testosterone

Question 7

Adrenal gland structure

Answer 7

• Capsule
• Zona glomerulosa
• Zona fasciculata
• Zona reticularis
• Medulla

Question 8

Steroid hormone production

Answer 8

All derived from cholesterol.

21-hydroxylase for aldosterone/cortisol production

Question 9

Adrenal gland secretion

Answer 9

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis

1. Hypothalamus (CRH)
2. AP (ACTH)
3. Adrenal cortex (aldosterone, cortisol) - different enzymes are found in different adrenal zones.

Question 10

Essential for survival

Answer 10

Aldosterone

Cortisol

Question 11

Aldosterone secretion and function

Answer 11

RAAS

Increases reabsorption of Na+ and excretion of K+ in distal tubule.

Question 12

Cortisol secretion

Answer 12

Circadian rhythm

Stress

Question 13

Cortisol function

Answer 13

Regulates (increases) plasma glucose.

1. Gluconeogenesis
2. Proteolysis
3. Lipolysis
4. Decreased insulin sensitivity

Question 14

Cortisol additional actions

Answer 14

• Decreased Ca2+
• Mood/cognition impairment
• Permissive effects on norepinephrine/glucagon
• Immune system suppression

Question 15

Glucocorticoid therapy side effects

Answer 15

• Infection
• Muscle wastage
• “Thinning skin”
• Osteoporosis
• Depression
• Hypertension
• Adrenal insufficiency