Adrenal Glands Flashcards
adrenal glands are often very hard to find on necropsy. what anatomic structure can you use to ID adrenal gland location?
phrenicoabdominal vein
tell me the gross appearance of a normal adrenal gland
1:2:1 cortical:medullary:cortical ratio
outer cortex is yellow
inner medulla is dark red
what are the zones of the adrenal cortex from outside to inside
zona glomerulosa
zona fasiculata
zona reticularis
the adrenal medulla produces what?
catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine)
the zona glomerulosa produces what?
mineralocorticoids, like aldosterone
the zona fasiculata produces what?
glucocorticoids, like cortisol
the zona reticularis produces what?
sex hormones, like progesterone, estrogen, androgens
the zona glomerulosa secretes mineralocorticoids. this process is regulated by ____? this process acts on _____?
renin-angiotensin
distal convoluted tubules
what do mineralocorticoids do? so if there’s mineralocorticoid dysfunction, what happens?
excretion of potassium and resorption of sodium (and water follows sodium)
potassium is not excreted (increased K) and sodium is not resorbed (decreased Na)
the zona fasiculata secretes glucocorticoids. this process is regulated by ____?
ACTH
what do glucocorticoids do? what are the consequences?
sparing of glucose - gluconeogenesis, lipolysis, protein catabolism
suppress inflammation/immunity
negative effect on wound healing
the zona reticularis releases sex hormones. this process is regulated by ____.
ACTH
what 3 disorders of the adrenal cortex do we have to know?
hypoadrenocorticism (Addison’s)
hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s)
Adrenal neoplasia (of ferrets)
what disorder of the adrenal medulla do we have to know?
neoplasms –> pheochromocytoma
Hypoadrenocorticism and Hyperadrenocorticism are called ________ and ________ disease, respectfully.
Hypo: Addison’s
Hyper: Cushing’s
Cocaine makes you Hyper
(and then Addison’s is hypo lol)
What causes hypoadrenocorticism (Addison’s) in broad terms
adrenocortical insufficiency
Hypoadrenocorticism is most common in what species? how does this happen?
dogs
idiopathic adrenocortical atrophy
true or false: hypoadrenocorticsm affects only 1 layer of the adrenal cortex
False. it affects ANY OR ALL layers of the cortex
mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, sex hormones are all affected
Hypoadrenocorticism causes a mineralocorticoid _____. how does this manifest in terms of electrolytes?
deficiency
increased potassium, decreased sodium
Hypoadrenocorticism causes a glucocorticoid _____. how does the manifest?
deficiency
GI signs, hypoglycaemia, low cortisol and no response to ACTH stimulation test
how do you test for hypoadrenocorticism?
ACTH stimulation test
not cortisol measurements because cortisol fluctuates during the day so it isn’t as helpful
Hypoadrenocorticism causes ____ onset of vague clinical signs, like….
insidious
vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, lethargy, CV collapse
What is an Addisonian crisis? what is it caused by?
CV collapse
electrolyte imbalances