Anatomy Of Adrenal

Question 1

What are the three layers of adrenal cortex?

Answer 1

1) Zona glomerulosa
2) Zona Fasciculata
3) Zona reticularis

Question 2

Histology of Zona glomerulosa

Answer 2

1) Columnar with dense nuclei
2) Abundant sER, mitochondria, and few lipid droplets
3) Has glomeruli

Question 3

Histology of zona fasciculata

Answer 3

1) Polyhedral with pale nuclei
2) Cytoplasm has many lipid vacuoles (spongicytes)
3) numerous sER, mitochondria, has more lipid droplets
4) rich in Cholesterol and vitamin c

Question 4

Where are chromaffin cells located and what do they do ?

Answer 4

In the adrenal medulla, they secrete catecholamines

Question 5

What stimulates the secretory activity of adrenal medulla?

Answer 5

The sympathetic multipolar nerve cells

Question 6

Tell me about the granules present in chromaffin cells?

Answer 6

Chromaffin granules: they appear brown after staining with chromium

Question 7

Differentiate between Epinephrine and norepinephrine secreting chromaffin cells

Answer 7

1) EN: homogeneous granules
2)NEN: granules with electron-dense centre and peripheral halo

Question 8

Functions of Zona glomerulosa

Answer 8

Secretes Aldosterone (not controlled by ACTH

Question 9

Function of Zona Fasciculata

Answer 9

Secretes cortisol in response to ACTH

Question 10

Function of Zona reticularis

Answer 10

Secretes sex hormones in response to ACTH

Question 11

Function of adrenal medulla

Answer 11

Secretes Epinephrine and norepinephrine

Question 12

What is the origin of adrenal medulla?

Answer 12

Ectoderm

Question 13

Which adrenal layer is essential for life?

Answer 13

Cortex

Question 14

What are diseases related to adrenal gland?

Answer 14

Addison’s (decrease production of adrenocorticoids due to destruction)
Cushing’s (pituitary adenoma causing increased ACTH—> increased cortisol)