Anatomy and embryology Flashcards
where does the thyroid gland originate from
the primitive pharynx
what fetal structure connects the thyroid to the tongue in fetal development, but eventually disappears
thyroglossal duct (can persist as a pyramidal lobe of the thyroid)
what is the foramen cecum
a remnant opening at the end of the thyroglossal duct
how does a thyroglossal duct cyst present?
as a midline neck mass that moves with swallowing (vs. branchial cleft cyst which is lateral)
what are the two zones of the fetal adrenal gland
the outer adult zone and the inner active fetal zone
what major function is the outer adult zone of the fetal adrenal gland responsible for
cortisol production in late gestation, which is responsible for lung development and surfactant production
what germ layer does the adrenal cortex come from
mesoderm
what germ layer does the adrenal medulla come from
neural crest
what molecule promotes aldosterone production and where in the adrenals is it produced
renin via angiotensin; aldosterone is produced in the zona glomerulosa
what molecule promotes cortisol production and where is it produced
ACTH promotes cortisol production in the zona fasciculata
where in the adrenal cortex are sex hormones produced?
zona reticularis
what is the most common adrenal medulla tumor in children? in adults?
neuroblastoma in children, pheochromocytoma in adults
does neuroblastoma cause episodic hypertension? does pheochromocytoma?
neuroblastoma doesn’t cause episodic hypertension, but pheochromocytoma does
what cells produce catecholamines in the adrenal medulla and what is their primary regulator?
chromaffin cells, regulated by preganglionic sympathetic fibers
explain how venous drainage of the adrenal veins differ from left to right; what other vein is this situation similar to?
left adrenal vein–>left renal vein–> IVC
right adrenal vein–> IVC
similar to gonadal veins
