Cortisol, Cushing's and Addison's stuff Flashcards

1
Q

What are the 4 layers of the supra-renal gland?

A

1) . Zona glomerulosa
2) . Zona fasciculata
3) . Zona reticularis
4) . Adrenal medullla

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2
Q

Which layer takes up the majority of the adrenal gland?

A

Zona fasciculata

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3
Q

Describe the pathway of cortisol release

A

Hypothalamus produces CRH -> anterior pituitary produces ACTH -> zona fasciculata produces cortisol

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4
Q

How are cortisol levels inhibited?

A

Increased cortisol inhibits both the anterior pituitary and the hypothalamus in making CRH and ACTH

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5
Q

What does CRH stand for?

A

Corticotrophic Releasing Hormone

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6
Q

What does ACTH stand for?

A

Adrenal CorticoTrophic Hormone

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7
Q

What circulation system connects the anterior pituitary and the hypothalamus?

A

Hypophyseal portal system

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8
Q

What class of molecules is cortisol, and are they lipid or water-soluble?

A

Glucocorticoids = lipid-soluble

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9
Q

Describe the state of cortisol within the blood

A

Most cortisol is bound to a carrier protein called “Cortisol Binding Globulin”

Around 5% is free
- only a small portion of free cortisol is biologically active

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10
Q

What happens to excess free cortisol?

A

It is filtered by the kidneys and excreted in the urine

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11
Q

What are the 5 roles of cortisol?

A

1) . Part of our circadian rhythm
2) . Part of our response to stress
3) . Regulate blood pressure
4) . Dampen immune response
5) . Affect the brain (mood and memory)

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12
Q

How is cortisol involved in our circadian rhythm?

A

Alter our level of alertness:

  • Levels rise in the morning
  • Levels fall at night
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13
Q

What is the role of cortisol in our stress response?

A

1 - Increases gluconeogenesis
2 - Increases proteolysis
3 - Increases lipolysis

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14
Q

How does cortisol increase blood pressure?

A

Increases the sensitivity of peripheral blood vessel to catecholamines (like adrenaline), causes increased contraction

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15
Q

How does cortisol dampen the immune response

A

1 - Decreased release of inflammatory mediators like prostaglandins and interleukins
2 - Inhibiting T-lymphocytes

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16
Q

Which cells within the medulla make catecholamines?

A

Chromaffin cells