Adrenal glands

Question 1

What are adrenal glands

Answer 1

The wedges of grandular and neuroendorine tissue adhering to the top of the kidneys by a fibrous capsule

• rich blood supply - highest rates of blood flow in body
• served by arteries branching off aorta - suprarenal and renal arteries

Question 2

What are the 4 tissue areas of the adrenal gland

Answer 2

Zona glomerulus: releases Meralcorticoids ex. Aldosterone

Zona Fasciculata: releases glucocoriticoids ex. Cortisol

Zona reticularis: releases Androgens ex. Dehydroepiandrosterone

Adrenal medulla: Stress hormones - NorEpi

Question 3

The adrenal gland consists of what types of tissue

Answer 3

Outer cortex of glandular tissue

Inner medulla of nervous tissue

Question 4

Outer cortex is divided into 3 zones

Answer 4

Zona glomerulus: releases Meralcorticoids ex. Aldosterone

Zona Fasciculata: releases glucocoriticoids ex. Cortisol

Zona reticularis: releases Androgens ex. Dehydroepiandrosterone

Question 5

The adrenal cortex is a component of what?

and secretes steroid hormones that are important for what?

Answer 5

Hypthalamic-pituitary adrenal axis

important for

• long term stress response
• blood pressure
• nutrient uptake and storage
• fluid and electrolyte balance
• inflammation

Question 6

The adrenal medulla is what?

Answer 6

Neuroendocrine tissue

composed of postganglionic sypatheric nervous system neurons

extension of autominc nervous system

regulates homeostasis of the body

Question 7

When the medulla is stimulated it secretes what?

Answer 7

Epinepherine and Norepinephrine

Question 8

One of the major functions of the adrenal gland is what

Answer 8

regulating stress

physical or psychological

Question 9

What is stage one of the Gneral Adaptation Syndrome (body’s response to stress)

Answer 9

Alarm reaction - short term stress - fight or flight response

epinephrine or norepinephrine

prepares body for extreme physical exertion

Question 10

What is the 2nd stage of GAS if 1st step doesn’t relieve stress

Answer 10

Stage of resistance

starvation mode- maximize absorbtion of nutrients

Question 11

If stress continues past 2nd stage of stress what is the last stage of GAS

Answer 11

Stage of exhaustion

depression

supression of immune system

severe fatigue

mediated my hormones in adrenal cortex- cortisol

Question 12

What is the most superficial region of the adrenal cortex and what group of hormones does it produce

Answer 12

Zona glomerulosa

Mineralocorticoids- hormones essential for fluid and electrolyte balance

Question 13

What is a major Mineralocorticoid

Answer 13

Aldosterone

Important in regulation of the concetration of Na and K ions in urine sweat and saliva

key component in renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system

can increase blood pressue or blood volume

Question 14

What are the 3 major functions of Angiotensin 2?

Answer 14

1. Initiate vasoconstriction- decrease blood flow
2. Stimulate kidney tubules to reabsorb NaCl - increase blood volume
3. Signal adrenal cortex to secrete aldosterone - restore blood pressure and blood volume

Question 15

An individual with hypertension or high blood pressure would want drugs that

Answer 15

Block production of angiotensin 2 ACE inhibitors

Question 16

Intermediate region of adrenal cortex is what?

What hormones does it produce?

Answer 16

Zona Fasciculata

Glucocorticoids - gluclose metabolism

Question 17

What is a major glucocorticoid?

Answer 17

Cortisol
long term stress for storage of nutrients

downregulation of immune system to inhibit inflammatory response - prednisone

Question 18

What is the deepest region of the adrenal cortex?

What hormone does it produce?

Answer 18

Zona reticularis

Androgens
produces in response to ACTH from anterior petuitary and converted into testosterone or estrogen

Question 19

Adrenal medulla releases hormones in response to what

Answer 19

Short term stress mediated by the SNS

Question 20

What is the medullary tissue composed of

Answer 20

Unique pstganglionic SNS neurons called Chromaffin cells - large and irregular shapes

• produce neurotransmitters epinepherine and norepinephrine

Question 21

Which is produced more Epinephrine or Norepinephrine

Answer 21

Epinephrine 4 to 1 ration

most powerful hormone

Question 22

Epinephrine and Norepinephrine stimulate what?

Answer 22

Liver and skeletal muscle to convert glycogen into gluclose resulting in increased blood sugar levels

• increase heart rate, pulse, and blood pressure

Question 23

What are the major hormones of the adrenal cortex

Answer 23

Aldosteron - increase blood pressure levels

Cortisol, coricosterone, cortisone - increase blood sugar levels

Question 24

What is the major hormones of the adrenal medulla

Answer 24

Epinephrine & Norepinepherine - stimulate flight or fight response

Question 25

What is Cushins disease

Answer 25

disorder involving adrenal glands

characterized by high bloog gluclose levels and accumulation of lipid deposits on face and neck

caused by hypersecretion of cortisol

moon shaped face, buffalo hump on back, rapid weight gain or hair loss

Question 26

What diseases are caused by Hyperglycemia - elevated levels of glucocoticoids

Answer 26

Type 2 diabetes

poor immune system

resistance to infections

Question 27

What diseases are caused by hyposecretion of corticosteroids

Answer 27

Addison disease - low blood gluclose levels and low blood sodium levels

general weakness, abdominal pain
hard to diagnose