Lab 1 - Pancreas and adrenal glands

Question 1

Which germ layer is the adrenal cortex derived from

Answer 1

Mesoderm (primitive mesothelium)

Question 2

Which germ layer is the adrenal medulla derived from

Answer 2

Ectoderm (neural crest-primitive autonomic ganglion tissue)

Question 3

What tissue makes up the adrenal capsule?

Answer 3

Fibrous connective tissue

Question 4

What tissue is found outside the capsule of the adrenal gland?

Answer 4

loose connective tissue containing white fat (unilocular adipose tissue)

Question 5

What is the anatomical name of the tissue surrounding the adrenal capsule

Answer 5

Perinephric fat

Question 6

Describe the histology of the zona fasciculata

Answer 6

radially orientated columns of cells, 2-3 cells wide, separated from neighbouring columns by radially orientated, straight blood vessels.

Question 7

Describe the cells of the zona glomerulosa

Answer 7

Between the fibrous capsule and the zona fasciculate occur groups
of a few columnar cells arranged to form an arch or part of a ball.

Question 8

Describe the difference in staining between cells of the zona fasciculata and the zona glomerulosa

Answer 8

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

Question 9

What is the alternative name for cells in the zona fasciculate and describe their histology

Answer 9

Spongiocytes
- appear pale in an H&E stained section and contain
empty looking, small rounded profiles as lipid and cholesteral has been removed during processing

Question 10

Describe the blood vessels found in the cortex of the adrenal gland

Answer 10

fenestrated capillaries

Question 11

What is the approximate size of RBC?

Answer 11

7μm

Question 12

Describe the organisation of the zona reticularis

Answer 12

The secretory cells form a three dimensional network

Question 13

Describe the histology of the medulla

Answer 13

rounded cords of large cells stained a brownish purple colour in an H&E stained section

Question 14

Describe the blood flow in the adrenal medulla

Answer 14

The suprarenal medulla receives blood first from the capillaries and sinusoids of the suprarenal cortex,
second from arterioles passing from the capsule to the medulla.

Question 15

What cells surround the blood vessels in the adrenal medulla?

Answer 15

secretory cells

Question 16

What do the secretory cells in the adrenal medulla contain?

Answer 16

epinephrine and norepinephrine secretory granules

Question 17

Describe the glandular classification of the pancreas

Answer 17

mixed endocrine and exocrine

Question 18

What are the distinct histological features of islet of Langerhans?

Answer 18

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

Question 19

How are islets of Langerhans formed?

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Which cell within the islet of Langerhans stain blue with Alcian blue and H

Answer 20

The β cell (insulin secreting cell)

Question 21

Which cell within the islet of Langerhans stain redwith Alcian blue and H

Answer 21

The α cell (glucagon secreting cell)

Question 22

What do δ cells secrete?

Answer 22

somatostatin

Question 23

What do PP cells secrete?

Answer 23

pancreatic polypeptide

Question 24

Describe the blood supply to and from the islets of Langerhans

Answer 24

An arteriole enters one side of the islet and gives rise to a number of capillary branches passing through the Islet (fenestrated capillaries), which, with high content of endocrine hormones in their blood, pass into the exocrine pancreas.

Question 25

Which type of blood vessel passes through an Islet of

Langerhans?

Answer 25

capillaries or small venules

Question 26

What can you say about the relative concentration of hormones within the blood entering the post-Islet exocrine pancreas?

Answer 26

The conc. of insulin and glucagon is high

proportion of each vary with blood glucose content

Question 27

Does the high conc. of insulin influence activity of other

biomechanisms apart from uptake of glucose?

Answer 27

Yes

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