Chapter 8: Adrenal Glands Flashcards
The adrenal glands are also called _____ glands
Suprarenal
Are the adrenal grands endocrine or exocrine
Endocrine
The adrenal glands are __________ in location
Retroperitoneal
The adrenal glands are controlled by hormones produced in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. What is this system referred to as
Hypothalmic-pituitary- adrenal axis
What is the ACTH hormone
Adrenocorticotropic hormone
The hypothalamus controls the release of ACTH by the pituitary gland, which in turn does what
Controls de release of hormones by the adrenal glands
Name the 4 hormones released by the adrenal cortex
Aldosterone
Androgens
Cortisol (hydrocortisone)
Estrogens
What does aldosterone do
Regulates BP by controlling amount of sodium and water in the body
What does androgens do
Minimal impact on male characteristics
Contribute to testosterone production
What does cortisol (hydrocortisone) do
Glucose metabolism
BP regulation
Immune function
Inflammatory response
What do estrogens do
Minimal impact on female characteristics
Contribute to estrogen production
Name the two hormones produced by the adrenal medulla
Epinephrine (adrenaline)
Norepinephrine
These two are responsible for the flight or fight response
What does epinephrine (adrenaline) do
Accelerated heart rate, increases BP, opens airway in lungs and narrows blood vessels in the skin and intestines to increase flow to big muscles
What does norepinephrine do
Accelerates hart rate, increases BP, contracts vessels
The adrenal cortex is composed by what three zones
Zona glomerulosa
Zona fasciculata
Zona recticularis
Adrenal glands are enclosed in ______ fascia
Gerota
The right suprarenal vein drains into ______
IVC
The left suprarenal vein drains into ______
Left renal vein
Addison disease is also called what other two names
Primary adrenocortical insufficiency
Or
Chronic primary hypoadrenalism
Describe Addison disease
Endocrine disorder that results from hypofunction of the adrenal cortex
The cortex inadecuadamente secretes corticosteroids
Addison disease can be caused by what
Autoimmune disorder, infection or tuberculosis
What are the symptoms of Addison disease
Hypotension, weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, and hyperpigmentation of the skin
Addison disease will cause an increase in production of ____ by the pituitary gland
ACTH
What are lab values related to Addison disease
Elevated liver enzymes, hyperkalemia, and hyponatremia
What is hyperkalemia
High potassium
What is hyponatremia
Low sodium
What does acute Addison disease look like
Enlarged glands
What does chronic Addison disease look like
Atrophic or calcified glands
What is Cushing syndrome
The result of the overproduction of cortisol by the adrenal cortex
What are the symptoms of Cushing syndrome
Obesity, thinning arms and legs, hypertension, hirsutism, hyperglycemia, fatigue, poor wound healing, buffalo hump, moon face, and red/purple abdominal striae
What is hirsutism
Growth of male hair in females
Cushing disease can result from a tumor in the ________________ gland
Anterior pituitary gland
The tumor located within adrenal gland is most likely adrenal ______
adenoma
Conn syndrome is also called primary _________
Hyperaldosteronism
Conn syndrome results from high levels of ______
Aldosterone
Conn Syndrome can be caused by a functioning tumor in the cortex, most likely an _________
Adrenaladenoma
What are the symptoms of a patient with conn syndrome
Hypertension, excessive thirst, excessive urination, muscle cramps and weakness
What are lab values related to conn syndrome
High sodium
Low potassium
Describe adrenal adenoma
Most common benign solid hypoechoic mass of the adrenals that can be hyperfunctioning or not
An adrenal adenoma can be asymptomatic or have the same symptoms as ________ and ________ syndromes
Cushing and Conn
What is a pheochromocytoma
Hyperfunctioning benign adrenal mass that can be malignant
Causes excessive release of epinephrine and norepinephrine
A pheochromocytoma arises from the adrenal ______
Medulla
Pheochromocytoma causes uncontrollable _________ and what other symptoms
Hypertension.
Other symptoms include:
Headaches, tachycardia, tremors, anxiety and sweating
What does a pheochromocytoma look like
Large hyperechoic mass, but can look different
Adrenal cysts that have a rim of calcification around, are worrisome for
Malignancy
What are adrenal rests
Accessory adrenal gland tissue found in other parts of the body
Adrenal rests are often associated with congenital adrenal __________ and ___________ syndrome
Hyperplasia, Cushing
Adrenal carcinoma may mimic the symptoms of what syndrome
Cushing syndrome
What does adrenal carcinoma look like
Solid hypoechoic mass or large heterogeneous mass
What does a neuroblastoma look like
Solid large (8cm) heterogenous mass that typically contains calcifications
Neuroblastoma is more common before what age
5 years old
Neuroblastomas arise from the adrenal ______
Medulla
What are the clinical findings of a neuroblastoma
Palpable abdominal mass, abdominal pain, bone pain, blue spots in skin
Adrenal glands can hemorrhage after a ______ birth, or stressed______
Traumatic, neonates
What are the symptoms of adrenal hemorrhage
Abdominal mass, jaundice, anemia, from in BP and hematocrit
The hematoma after an adrenal hemorrhage will look like
A rounded or triangular shaped mass. Echogenicity depends on age of hematoma
