Adrenal Gland Physiology

Question 1

Fill in the diagram

Answer 1

Question 2

What glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids and androgens do the adrenal cortex produce from which area?

Answer 2

Glucocorticoids

• Cortisol from Zona Fasiculata

Mineralocorticoids

• Aldosterone from Zona Glomerulosa

Androgens

• From Zona Reticularis

Question 3

Draw the hypothalamic-pituitary axis

Answer 3

1. Hypothalamus

→ Corticotrophin Releasing Factor (CRF)

2. Pituitary

→ Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)

3. Adrenal (Zona Fasiculata)

→ Cortisol

Cortisol then has negative feedback on the hypothalamus & pituitary

Question 4

What are the effects of cortisol?

Answer 4

• +Gluconeogenesis
• -IL-2Receptor (preventing IL2 from upregulating Th2 responce, resulting in Th1 dominance, resulting in reduced antibody production)
• +Glycogen phosphorylase (allowing adrenaline to promote glycogenolysis)