Endo Path II Flashcards
Embryologic origin of the adrenal cortex
intermediate mesoderm
Embryologic origin of the adrenal medulla
Neural crest ectoderm
Which is the largest layer of the adrenal cortex?
Zona fasiculata
-large cells containing large fat-droplets as the precursors to glucocorticoid hormone production
Where are the two locations of testosterone production in the male?
Adrenal medulla and testicles
What is cortisol so important as a regulatory hormone in the HPA axis?
B/c cortisol is the only hormone from the zona fasiculata and zona reticularis that feeds back to negatively inhibit the hypothalamus and pituitary and decrease production of CRH and ACTH
-androgens from reticularis do not inhibit HPA axis
Differentiate the regulation system of the 3 zones of the adrenal cortex
- zona glomerulosa produces aldo which is regulate by the RAAS => works independent of ACTH
- zona fasiculata and reticularis (cortisol and andreogens) stimulated by ACTH
Conn Syndrome
presence of Aldo-secreting tumor => primary hyperaldosteronism => HTN and hypokalemia
- small, circumscribed yellow nodule
- causes 70% of primary hyperaldosteronism (other 30% idiopathic)
Spironolactone bodies
Distinctive histological finding of Conn syndrome = tumor secretion aldosterone => hyperaldo
Hyperaldo => HTN which is treated w/ spironolactone (diuretic)
Hyperplasia of glomerulosa seen in what functional disorder of the adrenal gland?
Seen in hyperaldosteronism
What causes secondary hyperaldosteronism?
Excess stimulation of RAAS
Name 3 types of hyperadrenalism
- hyperaldosteronism (often Conn syndrome)
- hypercortisolism (Cushing syndrome)
- adrenal virulism
Distinguish Cushing Syndrome from Cushing disease
Cushing syndrome is the general term for the presence of hypercortisolism (high cortisol from adrenal zona fasiculata)
While Cushing disease is the cause of 60-70% of endogenous cases of Cushing syndrome. Mostly due to a pituitary adenoma that secretes ACTH
Most common cause of Cushing syndrome
taking exogenous cortisol
ex: steroids, iatrogenic
Differentiate Cushing disease and Adrenal Cushing Syndrome
Cushing disease = tumor in pituitary causing excess secretion of ACTH
Adrenal Cushing Syndrome = neoplasm or idiopathic hyperplasia of the adrenal that causes excess cortisol release, independent of ACTH
-differ by their dependence on ACTH
Differentiate the pathological findings in
a) Cushing disease
b) Adrenal Cushing Syndrome
c) Ectopic ACTH-secreting tumor
d) Exogenous Cushing syndrome
-is ACTH high or low in the above?
Pathological findings
a) Cushing disease = pituitary tumor, high ACTH, bilateral cortical hyperplasia
b) Adrenal cushing syndrome = cortical tumor or cortical hyperplasia, unilateral hyperplasia (side w/o mass), low ACTH
c) Ectopic ACTH-secreting tumor => ACTH high => bilateral cortical hyperplasia
d) Exogenous intake of corticosteroids => ACTH low => normal size or even smaller adrenal gland
Crooke hyaline degeneration
Typical histological finding in Cushing Syndrome (hypercortisolism)
What lab finding do you need to diagnose Cushing Syndrome
- elevated cortisol levels (serum, urine)
- then you dig deeper to find the cause (look at ACTH levels, examine adrenal gland if can)
Symptoms of Cushing Syndrome
Truncal obesity, moon face, osteoporosis
What is adrenal virilism?
What is the most common clinical presentation?
Increased adrenal cortex production of androgens => disorders of sexual differentiation
-female w/ ambiguous genitalia :-(
Two causes of adrenal virilism
- androgen-secreting adrenocortical neoplasm
- congenital adrenal hyperplasia
What is mutated in congenital adrenal hyperplasia?
Mutation in 21-hydroxylase = enzyme in the cortical steroid biosynthesis pathway necessary when converting cholesterol –> aldo and cortisol
-Since 21-hydroxylase is mutated, its substrates are shunted to the androgen pathway (recall that cholesterol is the common beginning substrate for all three adrenal cortex main products
Describe the mechanism of adrenal hyperplasia due to congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Enzymatic mutation in 21-hydroxylase => inability to make aldo and cortisol and precursors are therefore shunted into the andren pathway
-low cortisol => no negative feedback on HPA => very high CRH and ACTH => hyperplasia of the adrenal gland
What is the main cause of hypoadrenalism? What are the other causes?
Main cause = Addison’s = autoimmune or idiopathic
Other causes are really anything (infection, metastatic carcinoma, drugs) that destroy the adrenal gland
What is Addison’s disease?
Autoimmune or idiopathic disease causing hypoadrenalism due to destruction of the adrenal cortex
=> get deficiency in glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids