Endocrine Anatomy Flashcards
Where do the pituitary veins drain to?
The cavernous sinus
Where is the pituitary gland located?
The pituitary gland lies in the sella turcica of the sphenoid bone in the skull.
Outline the structure of the pituitary gland
The pituitary stalk (infundibulum) connects the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland, and the posterior lobe is continuous with the hypothalamus, consisting of the same tissue (neural) whereas the anterior gland is embryologically and functionally different.
What hormones are secreted by the anterior pituitary gland (adenohypophysis)
ACTH, TSH, LH, FSH, PRL, GH and MSH
Describe the blood supply to the anterior pituitary gland
The superior hypophyseal artery comes from the hypothalamus and forms the primary plexus of vessels; this then becomes the hypophyseal portal vein which gives off a secondary plexus in the anterior lobe which consists of the efferent hypophyseal veins which drain to the cavernous sinus
Which hypothalamic nuclei is involved in the production of ADH?
Supraoptic nuclei
Which hypothalamic nuclei is involved in the production of oxytocin?
Paraventricular nuclei
What hormones are secreted by the posterior pituitary gland?
ADH and oxytocin
What are the four main parts of the internal carotid artery?
Cervical portion, petrous portion, cavernous portion and cerebral portion
What artery runs through the cavernous sinus?
Internal carotid artery
Which nerves are located in the cavernous sinus
CN III, IV, V1, V2, VI
What hormones are secreted by the adrenal medulla?
Noradrenaline and adrenaline
What hormones are secreted by the adrenal cortex?
Aldosterone, cortisol and corticosterone
Compare the appearance of the left and right adrenal glands
Right adrenal: pyramid-shaped (contact with liver and IVC)
Left adrenal: crescent-shaped due to compression from stomach, spleen and pancreas
Describe the arterial supply to the adrenal gland
Superior suprarenal artery - branches from the inferior phrenic artery
Middle suprarenal artery - a branch of the abdominal aorta (near base of SMA)
Inferior suprarenal artery - branch of the renal artery
From which artery is the superior suprarenal artery a branch?
Inferior phrenic artery
From which artery is the middle suprarenal artery a branch?
Abdominal aorta (near the base of SMA)
From which artery is the inferior suprarenal artery a branch?
Renal artery
Describe the venous drainage of the adrenal gland
Right adrenal gland drains directly into IVC, left adrenal gland drains into the left renal vein
Where is the zona glomerulosa found and what does it secrete?
Outermost layer of the adrenal cortex that is involved in the secretion of mineralocorticoids such as aldosterone
Where is the zona fasciculata found and what does it secrete?
Middle layer of the adrenal cortex that is involved in the secretion of glucocorticoids such as cortisol
Where is the zona reticularis found and what does it secrete?
Inner layer of the adrenal cortex that is involved in the secretion of androgens such as testosterone
At what approximate spinal level does the thyroid lie?
C5-T1
By what are the left and right lobes of the thyroid gland connected?
By the isthmus
Describe the arterial blood supply to the thyroid gland
Superior thyroid artery - this is a branch from the external carotid artery
Inferior thyroid artery - this is a branch from the thyrocervical trunk
Thyroid ima artery - this isn’t always present but this stems from the brachiocephalic trunk
From what artery does the superior thyroid artery branch?
External carotid artery
From what artery does the superior thyroid artery branch?
Thyrocervical trunk (a branch from the subclavian artery)
Describe the venous drainage of the thyroid gland
Superior thyroid vein - this is a branch from the IJV
Middle thyroid vein - also a branch from the IJV
Inferior thyroid vein - this is a branch from the brachiocephalic vein
From what vein does the superior and middle thyroid vein branch?
Internal jugular vein
From what vein does the inferior thyroid vein branch?
Brachiocephalic vein
What does the prefix -omo stand for?
Relating to the shoulder
Name the four inferior strap muscles in the neck
Thyrohyoid, omohyoid, sternothyroid and sternohyoid
What is the exocrine function of the pancreas?
The secretion of powerful digestive enzymes into the small intestine
Where is the head of the pancreas found?
In the gastroduodenal flexure
Where is the tail of the pancreas found?
Extending towards the spleen
What two arteries supply the pancreas?
Coeliac trunk and superior mesenteric arteries
