Lecture 11 - Adrenal disorders Flashcards
What is the main cause of endocrine disease?
Abnormal amounts of messenger present, causing cells to misbehave
What is the vascular anatomy of the adrenal glands?
Only one vein - left adrenal vein R adrenal vein drains into IVC
Where do the adrenal veins drain into?
LAV drains into renal vein and then into IVC RAV drains straight into IVC
Where is the spleen in relation to the adrenal glands?
Next to the LAG
Why is the location of the spleen important?
It can be easily damaged during a left adrenalectomy So patient must be immunised with HIB and pneumovax
What is HIB and pneumovax?
HIB= Haemophilius Influenzae type b Pneumovax= pneumococcal vaccination against several strains of Streptococcus pneumococcus
How do the hormones pass into the blood?
Arteries that pass through the cortex pick up all the hormones and then deliver it to the central vein
What are the different zones of the adrenal gland from outside to inside?
Glomerulosa - aldosterone Fasciculata - cortisol Reticularis - no real function Adrenal medulla - catecholamines (adrenaline/noradrenaline)
How are steroid hormones manufactured?
Precursor is CHOLESTEROL Remove the side chain and then add OH/oxidising the molecule to form many different molecules
What are the enzymes in steroid synthesis named after?
By the number of carbon that they affect
How is aldosterone produced from cholesterol?
Chol>pregnenolone>progesterone>(21) 11deoxy corticosterone>(11) corticosterone>(18) aldosterone
How is cortisol formed from cholesterol?
Chol>preg>progesterone>(17) 17OHprog>(21) 11 deoxycortisol>(11) cortisol
How is oestrogen formed from cholesterol?
Chol>preg>prog>(17) 17OHprog>sex steroid> androgens> oestrogens
How are the pathways for steroid hormone synthesis decided?
Depends on enzymes present in tissue
What is cortisol controlled by?
ACTH - cortisol is a stress hormone