endo 2 W9 Flashcards
how does the anatomical position of the kidneys vary from left to right?
right is lower than left (liver)
left posteriorly protected by ribs 11 & 12, right only has relationship with rib 12
left is taller and narrower than right
what vessel does the right renal artery pass behind?
IVC
what vessel does the left renal vein pass in front of?
aorta
what vessel does the left renal vein pass under?
could there be a clinical implication of this?
superior mesenteric artery
nutcracker syndrome - compression of left renal vein between SMA and aorta. presents as haematuria due to renal venous hypertension resulting in rupture of veins in collecting duct.
histology - what are the different characteristics of the proximal and distal tubules?
distal tubules are lighter staining as they contain fewer vesicles and mitochondria than proximal tubules
lumen appears larger due to presence of fewer microvilli
what are three cell types that have an endocrine function in the kidneys and what is that function?
juxtaglomerular cells - produce renin
macula densa - sensitive to sodium in the filtrate
extraglomerular mesangial (Lacis) cells - contain renin
what hormone is produced at the juxtaglomerular apparatus?
renin
what is renins function?
control BP by activating RAAS, leading to increase in BP. (cleaving angiotensinogen to angiotensin 1)
what is renin specifically produced in response to?
low sodium chloride concentration
what are the adrenal arteries and where do they branch from
superior adrenal (from inferior phrenic)
middle adrenal (from abdominal aorta)
inferior adrenal (from renal)
what is the difference in venous drainage between the left and right adrenal glands
right - one single adrenal vein drains into the IVC
left - a collection of adrenal veins drain into the inferior phrenic and renal veins
layers of the adrenal gland?
capsule
cortex
->zona glomerulosa
->zona fasciculata
->zona reticularis
medulla
hormones secreted in different areas of the adrenal glands? function?
mineralocorticoids (water/electrolyte balance)
glucocorticoids (metabolism)
gonadocorticoids (growth, dev of repro organs)
adrenaline and noradrenaline (fight/flight)
what ligaments are involved in suspension of the ovary?
proper ovarian ligament (ov -> uterus-ish)
suspensory ligament of ovary
mesovarium
blood supply and drainage to the ovaries?
ovarian artery passes through suspensory ligament
surrounded by veins - pampiniform plexus
which tissues in the ovary have an endocrinological function and which hormone do they produce?
mature follicle - oestrogen
corpus luteum - progesterone
structures in/around the testes?
epididymis (outside scrotum)
seminiferous tubules (in testes)
spermatic cord, containing:
-vas deferens
-pampiniform plexus
-testicular artery
structures in testes - histology?
tunica albuginea
connective tissue septa
Leydig cells
blood vessels
what cells in the testes produce hormones? which hormones?
Leydig cells - Testosterone, Aldosterone, DHEA
what ligament covers the uterus and its surrounding structures?
the broad ligament
peritoneal pouches around the uterus?
rectouterine pouch (pouch of Douglas)
vesicouterine pouch
blood supply to the uterus?
uterine artery (branch of internal iliac artery)
what is an anastomosis?
connection between two usually tubular structures. A circulatory anastomosis usually results in two vessels supplying a shared volume of tissue.
venous drainage of the uterus?
uterine vein (drains into internal iliac vein)
what histological features of the endometrium indicate that the menstrual cycle is in the proliferative phase?
restricted blood vessels
thin endometrial wall
flat luminal surface
what histological features of the endometrium indicate that the menstrual cycle is in the secretory phase?
thickening of functional layer
coiling of glands
some saw-toothed glands
what hormones are released during the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle?
FSH (anterior pituitary)
oestrogen (mature follicles)
what hormones are released during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle?
oestrogen (mature follicles)
progesterone
what are the unique features of the maternal and foetal surfaces? (placenta)
foetal surface smooth, covered by chorion
maternal surface rough, containing thin layer of decidua of maternal origin and derived from the endometrium
what are the main functions of the placenta?
placental transfer (passes nutrients and O2 to foetus, removes waste products to mother)
protection from maternal immune system (inhibits NK cells, secretes immunosuppressors)
endocrine organ (produces human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) and progesterone)
what is the outermost later of foetal cells that completely surrounds the foetus and all foetally derived tissues, and lies adjacent to the maternal tissue?
the chorion - outer layer formed by trophoblasts and an inner layer formed by somatic mesoderm
which hormone do trophoblast cells secrete in the first few weeks of pregnancy? what does it do?
human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG)
analogue of LH, maintains function of corpus luteum during first few weeks of pregnancy
when does the placenta take over the production of progesterone?
approx. 8 weeks
(luteal-placental shift)
why is progesterone important?
after ovulation, converts endometrium to secretory phase, preparing the uterus for implantation. if fertilisation and implantation do take place, it maintains the secretory phase and promotes blood vessel and tissue development - this is important to sustain the embryo.
progesterone also acts on the myometrium to inhibit uterine contractions which might otherwise expel the embryo.
