Chapter 8: The Adrenal Glands

Question 1

benign solid mass located within the adrenal glands

Answer 1

adrenal adenoma

Question 2

hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland, which controls the release of hormones by the adrenal glands

Answer 2

adrenocorticotropic hormone

Question 3

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

Answer 3

Conn syndrome

Question 4

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

Answer 4

Cushing syndrome

Question 5

glands that release their hormones directly into the bloodstream

Answer 5

endocrine glands

Question 6

high levels of sodium in the blood

Answer 6

hypernatremia

Question 7

low levels of potassium in the blood

Answer 7

hypokalemia

Question 8

malignant tumor that can occur within the adrenal gland and anywhere within the sympathetic nervous system

Answer 8

neuroblastoma

Question 9

benign, solid adrenal tumor associated with uncontrollable hypertension

Answer 9

pheochromocytoma

Question 10

3 zones of the cortex (outer part) of the adrenal gland

Answer 10

zona glomerulosa
zona fasciculata
zona reticularis

Question 11

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

Answer 11

aldosterone

Question 12

3 hormones produced by the cortex of the adrenal gland

Answer 12

aldosterone
androgens
cortisol

Question 13

2 hormones produced by the medulla (inner part) of the adrenal glands

Answer 13

epinephrine (adrenaline, main one)

norepinephrine

Question 14

the adrenal glands may also be referred to as:

Answer 14

suprarenal glands

Question 15

3 arteries that supply the adrenal glands

Answer 15

suprarenal branches of the inferior phrenic arteries
suprarenal branches of the aorta
suprarenal branches of the renal arteries

Question 16

the right suprarenal vein drains into the ______

Answer 16

IVC

Question 17

the left suprarenal vein drains into the ______

Answer 17

left renal vein

Question 18

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

Answer 18

hypoechoic

Question 19

2 types of tumors that can cause Cushing syndrome

Answer 19

adrenal adenoma

pituitary tumor

Question 20

Clinical findings:
obesity
thinning arms and legs
hypertension
hirsutism
hyperglycemia
severe fatigue

Answer 20

Cushing syndrome

Question 21

syndrome that results from high levels of cortisol secretion by the adrenal cortex

Answer 21

Cushing syndrome

Question 22

syndrome that results from high levels of aldosterone secretion by the adrenal cortex

Answer 22

Conn syndrome

Question 23

Clinical findings:
hypertension
excessive thirst
excessive urination
high levels of sodium in the blood
low levels of potassium in the blood

Answer 23

Conn syndrome

Question 24

Clinical findings:
signs and symptoms of Cushing syndrome
signs and symptoms of Conn syndrome
may be asymptomatic

Answer 24

adrenal adenoma

Question 25

Sonographic findings: | solid, hypoechoic mass in the area of the adrenal gland

Answer 25

adrenal adenoma

Question 26

the pheochromocytoma arises from the adrenal ________

Answer 26

medulla

Question 27

``` Clinical findings: uncontrollable hypertension headaches tachycardia tremors anxiety excessive sweating ```

Answer 27

pheochromocytoma

Question 28

Sonographic findings: | large, hyperechoic mass in the area of the adrenal gland

Answer 28

pheochromocytoma

Question 29

Clinical findings: asymptomatic if large or hemorrhagic, may cause pain

Answer 29

adrenal cyst

Question 30

Sonographic findings: anechoic area near adrenal gland thin walled acoustic enhancement

Answer 30

adrenal cyst

Question 31

the most common extracranial solid, malignant tumor in children

Answer 31

neuroblastoma

Question 32

neuroblastomas typically present before _ years of age

Answer 32

5

Question 33

Clinical findings: palpable abdominal mass in pediatric patient abdominal pain bone pain

Answer 33

neuroblastoma

Question 34

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

Answer 34

neuroblastoma

Question 35

Clinical findings: abdominal mass in pediatric patient acute drop in hematocrit and blood pressure

Answer 35

adrenal hemorrhage

Question 36

Sonographic findings: | heterogeneous mass in the area of the adrenal gland in pediatric patient

Answer 36

adrenal hemorrhage

Question 37

``` All of the following are associated with Conn syndrome except: A. adrenal adenoma B. hypertension C. excessive thirst D. thinning arms and legs ```

Answer 37

thinning arms and legs

Question 38

``` The adrenal glands are surrounded by a connective tissue capsule called: A. Glisson capsule B. adrenalocortical fascia C. Gerota fascia D. Glisson fascia ```

Answer 38

Gerota fascia

Question 39

``` The left suprarenal vein drains directly into the: A. inferior vena cava B. abdominal aorta C. celiac trunk D. left renal vein ```

Answer 39

left renal vein

Question 40

``` 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 ```

Answer 40

suprarenal arteries

Question 41

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

Answer 41

posterior and lateral to the IVC

Question 42

``` The right suprarenal vein drains directly into the: A. inferior vena cava B. abdominal aorta C. celiac trunk D. left renal vein ```

Answer 42

inferior vena cava

Question 43

``` 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 ```

Answer 43

both A and C

Question 44

``` The most common sonographic appearance of a pheochromocytoma is a/an: A. hyperechoic mass B. hypoechoic mass C. anechoic mass D. complex mass ```

Answer 44

hyperechoic mass

Question 45

The most common sonographic appearance of a neuroblastoma is: A. hyperechoic mass B. heterogeneous mass with calcifications C. anechoic mass D. hypoechoic mass

Answer 45

heterogeneous mass with calcifications

Question 46

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

Answer 46

suprarenal branches of the celiac trunk