Adrenal Glands Flashcards
The adrenal cortex is the ____ secreting portion of the gland
Steroid
The Adrenal medulla is derived from _____ and is the ____ - secreting portion of the gland
- neural crest cells
- catecholamine
Which zone of the adrenal gland has spongiocytes?
Zona fasciculata
(consists of lipid droplets that are extracted during the tissue preparation giving a spongy appearance)
The zona fasciculata of the adrenal gland secretes _____ hormones.
- Cortisol
- Corticosterone
(functions: stimulates gluconeogenesis glycogen formation, uptake of amino acids and fatty acids, lipid breakdown, protein synthesis)
The Zona reticularis secretes ____ hormones.
Weak androgens (dihydroepiandrosterone and androstenedione).
Cells of the Zona reticularis appear ____ shaped, _____ cytoplasm, and ____ nuclei
- irregularly
- dense
- pyknotic
Note the small columnar cells arranged in oval clusters or arched columns
Small, dark nuclei and acidophilic cytoplasm
note the larger cells w/spongy cytoplasm (contains lipid droplets)
Note the irregularly-shaped cells
Adrenal medulla cells originate from the ______. They are modified _____.
- neural crest
- sympathetic postganglionic neurons
(they lose their axons and dendrites and mature into secretory cells during the development process)
Chromaffin cells
(note the large, pale cytoplasm and the intense stain of the granules)
Where do chromaffin cells get their name?
They are stained with chrome salts (catecolamines become oxidized)
The adrenal glands are supplied by which arteries?
Superior, Middle, inferior adrenal arteries
(one of the richest plus supplies in the body)
_______ capillaries Supply the cortex
Fenestrated sinusoidal
Medullary sinusoidal capillaries received the blood from the ____.
cortical sinusoids
Medullary arterioles carry arterial blood directly to ____ capillaries
medullary sinusoidal
