Chapter 8: The Adrenal Glands Flashcards
benign solid mass located within the adrenal glands
adrenal adenoma
hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland, which controls the release of hormones by the adrenal glands
adrenocorticotropic hormone
a syndrome caused by a functioning tumor within the adrenal cortex that produces excess amounts of aldosterone; patients will have hypertension, excessive thirst, excessive urination, and low levels of potassium in the blood
Conn syndrome
a syndrome that results from a pituitary or adrenal tumor that causes overproduction of cortisol by the adrenal glands; patients may present with obesity, thinning arms and legs, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and severe fatigue
Cushing syndrome
glands that release their hormones directly into the bloodstream
endocrine glands
high levels of sodium in the blood
hypernatremia
low levels of potassium in the blood
hypokalemia
malignant tumor that can occur within the adrenal gland and anywhere within the sympathetic nervous system
neuroblastoma
benign, solid adrenal tumor associated with uncontrollable hypertension
pheochromocytoma
3 zones of the cortex (outer part) of the adrenal gland
zona glomerulosa
zona fasciculata
zona reticularis
hormone produced by the cortex of the adrenal gland that is responsible for regulating blood pressure by controlling the amounts of sodium and water in the body
aldosterone
3 hormones produced by the cortex of the adrenal gland
aldosterone
androgens
cortisol
2 hormones produced by the medulla (inner part) of the adrenal glands
epinephrine (adrenaline, main one)
norepinephrine
the adrenal glands may also be referred to as:
suprarenal glands
3 arteries that supply the adrenal glands
suprarenal branches of the inferior phrenic arteries
suprarenal branches of the aorta
suprarenal branches of the renal arteries
the right suprarenal vein drains into the ______
IVC
the left suprarenal vein drains into the ______
left renal vein
the normal adrenal glands are often easily visualized in the fetus and pediatric patients as a __________ structure anterior, medial, and superior to the upper pole of each kidney
hypoechoic
2 types of tumors that can cause Cushing syndrome
adrenal adenoma
pituitary tumor
Clinical findings: obesity thinning arms and legs hypertension hirsutism hyperglycemia severe fatigue
Cushing syndrome
syndrome that results from high levels of cortisol secretion by the adrenal cortex
Cushing syndrome
syndrome that results from high levels of aldosterone secretion by the adrenal cortex
Conn syndrome
Clinical findings: hypertension excessive thirst excessive urination high levels of sodium in the blood low levels of potassium in the blood
Conn syndrome
Clinical findings:
signs and symptoms of Cushing syndrome
signs and symptoms of Conn syndrome
may be asymptomatic
adrenal adenoma
Sonographic findings:
solid, hypoechoic mass in the area of the adrenal gland
adrenal adenoma
the pheochromocytoma arises from the adrenal ________
medulla
Clinical findings: uncontrollable hypertension headaches tachycardia tremors anxiety excessive sweating
pheochromocytoma
Sonographic findings:
large, hyperechoic mass in the area of the adrenal gland
pheochromocytoma
Clinical findings:
asymptomatic
if large or hemorrhagic, may cause pain
adrenal cyst
Sonographic findings:
anechoic area near adrenal gland
thin walled
acoustic enhancement
adrenal cyst
the most common extracranial solid, malignant tumor in children
neuroblastoma
neuroblastomas typically present before _ years of age
5
Clinical findings:
palpable abdominal mass in pediatric patient
abdominal pain
bone pain
neuroblastoma
Sonographic findings:
large, heterogeneous mass containing areas of calcification and hemorrhage located in the area of the adrenal gland in a pediatric patient
metastasis is often present at the time of discovery
neuroblastoma
Clinical findings:
abdominal mass in pediatric patient
acute drop in hematocrit and blood pressure
adrenal hemorrhage
Sonographic findings:
heterogeneous mass in the area of the adrenal gland in pediatric patient
adrenal hemorrhage
All of the following are associated with Conn syndrome except: A. adrenal adenoma B. hypertension C. excessive thirst D. thinning arms and legs
thinning arms and legs
The adrenal glands are surrounded by a connective tissue capsule called: A. Glisson capsule B. adrenalocortical fascia C. Gerota fascia D. Glisson fascia
Gerota fascia
The left suprarenal vein drains directly into the: A. inferior vena cava B. abdominal aorta C. celiac trunk D. left renal vein
left renal vein
The arterial blood supply to the adrenal glands is accomplished by means of the: A. celiac trunk B. subphrenic arteries C. suprarenal arteries D. superior mesenteric artery
suprarenal arteries
Which of the following best describes the location of the right adrenal gland?
A. posterior and lateral to the pancreas
B. medial to the lower pole of the right kidney
C. posterior and lateral to the IVC
D. medial to the crus of the diaphragm
posterior and lateral to the IVC
The right suprarenal vein drains directly into the: A. inferior vena cava B. abdominal aorta C. celiac trunk D. left renal vein
inferior vena cava
A 45-year old obese woman with thin arms and legs, hypertension, and sever fatigue presents to the ultrasound department for an abdominal sonogram. Based on these clinical findings, you should evaluate the adrenal glands closely for signs of: A. primary adrenal carcinoma B. adrenal hemorrhage C. adrenal adenoma D. both A and C
both A and C
The most common sonographic appearance of a pheochromocytoma is a/an: A. hyperechoic mass B. hypoechoic mass C. anechoic mass D. complex mass
hyperechoic mass
The most common sonographic appearance of a neuroblastoma is:
A. hyperechoic mass
B. heterogeneous mass with calcifications
C. anechoic mass
D. hypoechoic mass
heterogeneous mass with calcifications
The adrenal glands receive a portion of their blood supply from all of the following except the:
A. suprarenal branches of the inferior phrenic arteries
B. suprarenal branches of the aorta
C. suprarenal branches of the renal arteries
D. suprarenal branches of the celiac trunk
suprarenal branches of the celiac trunk
