Endocrine lab 1

Question 1

Where does the cortex of the suprarenal gland develop from?

Answer 1

Mesoderm (primitive mesothelium)

Question 2

Where does the medulla of the suprarenal gland develop from?

Answer 2

Ectoderm (neural crest- primitive autonomic ganglion tissue)

Question 3

What type of tissue forms the connective tissue capsule?

Answer 3

Fibrous connective tissue

Question 4

What tissue lies outside the capsule?

Answer 4

Loose connective tissue containing white fat (unilocular adipose tissue) = single large lipid drop

Question 5

What is the gross anatomical name for the tissue that lies outside of the capsule?

Answer 5

Perinephric fat

Question 6

Describe the histology of the glomerulosa

Answer 6

Columnar cells arranged to form arches

Question 7

Describe the histology of the fasciculata

Answer 7

Fascicles

Neat columns of cells separated by straight blood vessels (radially oriented) (spongiocytes)

Question 8

Describe the histology of the reticularis

Answer 8

Reticular network

Question 9

How do cells of the zona glomerulosa stain compared with cells of the zona fasciculata

Answer 9

The cells stain more darkly with small dark granules in their cytoplasm

Question 10

What is another name for the cells forming the zona fasciculata?

Answer 10

Spongiocytes

Question 11

What is contained within spongiocytes?

Answer 11

lipid and cholesterol

Question 12

What is the approximate diameter of blood vessels within the zona fasciculata?

Answer 12

Fenestrated capillaries (RBC diameter is approx. 7um

Question 13

Describe the zona reticularis organisation

Answer 13

The secretory cells form a three-dimensional network

Question 14

The medulla is supplied by blood from…

Answer 14

> Capillaries/sinusoids from adrenal cortex

> Arterioles passing from the capsule to the medulla

Question 15

What do the adrenal medullary neurosecretory cells contain

Answer 15

adrenaline and noradrenaline secretory granules

Question 16

What is the vulpian reaction?

Answer 16

the development of a green colour to the adrenal medullary neurosecretory cells when a weak solution of ferric chloride is applied to the cells before potassium chloride

Question 17

What are histological features seen with islets of Langerhans?

Answer 17

The epithelial secretory cells form small groups or islets within the exocrine pancreas
Cytoplasm stains lighter

Question 18

How are islets of Langerhans formed?

Answer 18

By irregular, anastomosing rows or plates of cells separated by tortuous blood capillaries

Question 19

Which cell type within the islets of Langerhans stains blue with alcian blue and H staining?

Answer 19

The beta cell (insulin secreting)

Question 20

Which cell type within the islets of Langerhans stains red with alcian blue and H staining?

Answer 20

The alpha cell (glucagon secreting)

Question 21

What is the arrangement of cells within the islets of Langerhans?

Answer 21

Beta cells generally more centrally located

Alpha cells generally surround beta core

Question 22

Describe the blood supply to the islets of Langerhans

Answer 22

An arteriole enters one side of the islet and gives rise to a number of capillary branches passing through the islet -> fenestrated capillaries

Capillaries, now with a high content of endocrine hormones in their blood, pass directly into the exocrine pancreas

Question 23

What type of blood vessel passes through the islet of Langerhans?

Answer 23

Capillaries or small venules

Question 24

Describe the relative conc. of hormones within blood entering post-islet exocrine pancreas

Answer 24

The conc. of insulin and glucagon in high

proportions of each will vary with blood glucose content

Question 25

What is the route of capillaries through the pancreas?

Answer 25

Capillaries pass through the endocrine pancreas and then through the exocrine pancreas

Question 26

What effect does insulin have on the activity of biomechanisms (excl. uptake of glucose by cells)

Answer 26

increased production of insulin by beta cells in the islets stimulates/upregulates synthesis of exocrine pancreatic digestive enzymes for release into the duodenum via the pancreatic duct