Adrenal Glands

Question 1

where are the adrenal glands located?

Answer 1

on the superior pole of the kidney in the retroperitoneal space

Question 2

where does the right adrenal vein drain to?

Answer 2

the vena cava

Question 3

where does the left adrenal vein drain into?

Answer 3

the left renal vein

Question 4

which is a modified sympathetic ganglion; the medulla or the cortex?

Answer 4

the medulla

Question 5

true or false:

the medulla is the true endocrine organ?

Answer 5

false the cortex is

Question 6

from what is the adrenal medulla derived?

Answer 6

neural crest cells

Question 7

from what is the cortex derived from?

Answer 7

mesoderm

Question 8

what does the adrenal medulla secrete?

Answer 8

catecholamines:
> epinephrine
> norepinephrine
> dopamine

Question 9

what 3 classes of steroid hormones does the adrenal cortex secrete?

Answer 9

> mineralcorticoids
glucocorticoids
sex steriods

Question 10

true or false

aldosterone is a mineralcorticoid

Answer 10

true

Question 11

what is the function of mineralcorticoids?

Answer 11

regulation of Na+ and K+

Question 12

give and example of a glucocorticoid

Answer 12

cortisol

Question 13

what is the function of a glucocorticoid?

Answer 13

maintains plasma glucose

Question 14

name the 3 layers of the cortex from the inside to the outside

Answer 14

> zona reticularis
zona fasciculate
zona glomerulosa

Question 15

what does the zona reticularis secrete?

Answer 15

sex hormones

Question 16

what does the zona fasciculate secrete?

Answer 16

glucocorticoids

Question 17

what does the zona glomerulosa secrete?

Answer 17

aldosterone (mineral corticoids)

Question 18

what is the enzyme which involved in the progesterone to aldosterone or cortisol synthetic pathway?

Answer 18

21 hydroxylase

Question 19

what is dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)?

Answer 19

a prehormone for testosterone and oestrogen

Question 20

what can a defect in 21hydroxylase cause?

Answer 20

congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Question 21

what is deficient in congenital adrenal hyperplasia?

Answer 21

> cortisol

> aldosterone

Question 22

why does a deficit of 12hydroxylase lead to adrenal hyperplasia?

Answer 22

the negative feedback loop of cortisol on the anterior pituitary and hypothalamus is removed

Question 23

what percentage of cortisol is bound to protein?

Answer 23

95%

Question 24

what are the glucocorticoid actions of cortisol?

Answer 24

> decrease insulin sensitivity in muscle and adipose
gluconeogenesis (enhancing glucose production)
proteolysis (providing gluconeogenic substrates for the liver)
lipolysis

Question 25

cortisol stimulates lipolysis. how does this action protect [BG]?

Answer 25

it increases free fatty acid in the plasma creating an alternative fuel supply

Question 26

what are the non glucocorticoid actions of cortisol?

Answer 26

> negative effect on Ca balance > permissive effects of norepinephrine > suppression of the immune system > impairment of mood and cognition

Question 27

how does cortisol effect the calcium balance in the body?

Answer 27

> increased bone resorption > increased excretion in the kidney > decreased absorption from the gut

Question 28

how does cortisol suppress the immune system?

Answer 28

> inhibits inflammatory response > reduces antibody formation > reduces lymphocyte count

Question 29

what is the effect of aldosterone on reabsorption of sodium ions?

Answer 29

it increases reabsorption

Question 30

what is the effect of aldosterone on the excretion of potassium?

Answer 30

it increases the excretion

Question 31

true or false | increased aldosterone increases blood pressure and volume?

Answer 31

true: it promotes sodium retention and potassium depletion

Question 32

a tumour in the adrenal cortex is cushings disease or syndrome?

Answer 32

cushings syndrome (it is a primary endocrine problem)

Question 33

a tumour in the pituitary is cushings disease or syndrome?

Answer 33

cushings disease (it is a secondary endocrine problem)

Question 34

what causes addisons disease?

Answer 34

autoimmune destruction of the cortex

Question 35

what is pheochromocytoma?

Answer 35

a rare neuroendocrine tumour in the adrenal medulla

Question 36

what is the effect of pheochromocytoma?

Answer 36

``` excess catecholines = increased: > heart rate > cardiac output > blood pressure ```

Question 37

what is there a risk of if glucocorticoid treatment is withdrawn fast?

Answer 37

adrenal insufficiency due to the enhanced negative feedback effects of exogenous cortisol