Lecture 23: Adrenals

Question 1

Which major artery supplies adrenal glands? What is the vein called? Which three arteries does the major artery branch into?

Answer 1

Artery = inferior vena cava
Vein = renal vein
Arterioles: Superior, middle, inferior adrenal (suprarenal) arteries

Question 1

There are two layers of the adrenal gland plus a ______. What are these layers called, and what are the three zones of the cortex (and their function?)

Answer 1

Layers = cortex, medulla
Capsule.
3 zones: zona glomerulosa, fasciculata, reticularis (deepest). These 3 zones work to make steroids.

Question 2

The zona glomerulosa secretes __________ and is the most ______ zone. This hormone changes ________ concentration and is a _________ steroid. More _______ means more ______.

Answer 2

Aldosterone, superficial, mineral, cortical, aldosterone, sodium

Question 3

The zona fasiculata secretes _____, which is a ______ (changes _______ concentration, also a ________ steroid.)

Answer 3

Cortisol, glucocorticoid, glucose, cortical

Question 4

Which functions are produced from cortisol production in the adrenal cortex?

Answer 4

Gluconeogensis from protein, fat catabolism, hepatic glucose secretion, immunosuppression

Question 5

The zona reticularis secretes ________ and is the most ______ zone. What is DHEA and what does it do?

Answer 5

Androgens, deep. DHEA is the main androgen, promotes growth and development, male sexual development.

Question 6

Describe hypercortisolemia.

Answer 6

Increased/prolonged release of cortical steroids. Decreases glucose uptake and use by peripheral tissues, lack of tissue repair can lead to striae.

Question 7

Describe hypercortisolemia II.

Answer 7

HHyperglycemia, breakdown of muscle, distribution of fat on abdomen and chest but not legs, buffalo hump, etc.

Question 8

Why does cushing disease happen?

Answer 8

High doses of cortical steroids, due to an adenoma that produces adrenocorticotropic hormone, leads to extremely high cortisol production.

Question 9

Describe congenital adrenal hypoplasia (CAH).

Answer 9

Inability to produce cortisol/aldosterone leads to overproduction of androgens in the fetus. Often associated with intersex.

Question 10

Describe Addison disease.

Answer 10

Due to autoimmune attack on adrenal cortex, cortisol can’t be made (aldosterone & androgen decrease as well). Weight loss, hypotension, dehydration, etc.

Question 11

Adrenal medulla secretes _______ (main types are _______ and ___________, made by _____ cells). These hormones stimulate ________ nervous system responses.

Answer 11

Catecholamines, epinephine, norepinephrine, chromaffin, sympathetic

Question 12

Innervation of the adrenal medulla is from the ________ branch of the ______. The adrenal medulla is a __________ __________ _______.

Answer 12

Sympathetic, ANS, modified sympathetic ganglion.

Question 13

Sympathetic neural stimulus ________ and _______ are released by the ______ _______.

Answer 13

Epinephrine, norepinephrine, adrenal medulla

Question 14

Stimulation by adrenocorticotropic hormone causes what?

Answer 14

Causes cortisol (and other corticol hormones) to be released from the adrenal cortex.