Module 9.2 Adrenal Glands

Question 1

The adrenal glands are the _____\_organs that reside above each of the _____\_

Answer 1

The adrenal glands are the endocrine organs that reside above each of the kidneys

Question 2

Each adrenal gland is composed of the ______\_ and the ________.

Answer 2

Each adrenal gland is composed of the adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla.

Question 3

What are the three layers of the Adrenal Cortex?

Answer 3

1. zona glomerulosa,
2. zona fasciculata, and
3. zona reticularis

Question 4

The adrenal cortex is responsible for the secretion of the ________ hormones, all of which are derived from ________

Answer 4

The adrenal cortex is responsible for the secretion of the adrenocortical hormones, all of which are derived from cholesterol

Question 5

What are the three classes of the adrenocortical hormones?

Answer 5

1. mineralcorticoids,
2. glucocorticoids, and
3. sex hormones

Question 6

The mineralcorticoids are secreted from the ________\_

Answer 6

The mineralcorticoids are secreted from the zona glomerulosa

Question 7

The _______\_ are secreted from the zona glomerulosa

Answer 7

The mineralcorticoids are secreted from the zona glomerulosa

Question 8

The glucocorticoids and the reproductive (sex) hormones are secreted both from the_________ and the ________

Answer 8

The glucocorticoids and the reproductive (sex) hormones are secreted both from the zona fasiculata and the zona reticularis

Question 9

The ______\_and the _______\_ are secreted both from the zona fasiculata and the zona reticularis

Answer 9

The glucocorticoids and the reproductive (sex) hormones are secreted both from the zona fasiculata and the zona reticularis

Question 10

The cells of each region of the adrenal cortex contain different _____\_ that enable the production of their respective hormones.

Answer 10

The cells of each region of the adrenal cortex contain different enzymes that enable the production of their respective hormones.

Question 11

The primary mineralcorticoid produced by the adrenal cortex is _______

Answer 11

The primary mineralcorticoid produced by the adrenal cortex is aldosterone

Question 12

Aldosterone acts primarily on the kidney to increase ________ reabsorption and ________ secretion

Answer 12

Aldosterone acts primarily on the kidney to increase sodium ion (Na+) reabsorption and potassium ion (K+) secretion

Question 13

Aldosterone secretion is regulated by the ________ and by plasma concentrations of ____

Answer 13

Aldosterone secretion is regulated by the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and by plasma concentrations of K+

Question 14

Primary hyperaldosteronism is referred to as ______\_and results from excessive production of ____\_ from the adrenal cortex

Answer 14

Primary hyperaldosteronism is referred to as Conn’s syndrome and results from excessive production of aldosterone from the adrenal cortex

Question 15

Secondary hyperaldosteronism results from excessive stimulation of the _______, such as from continual stimulation of the ______.

Answer 15

Secondary hyperaldosteronism results from excessive stimulation of the adrenal cortex, such as from continual stimulation of the RAAS.

Question 16

The primary glucocorticoid produced by the adrenal cortex is ____\_

Answer 16

The primary glucocorticoid produced by the adrenal cortex is cortisol

Question 17

Cortisol plays a key role in the body’s adaptations to _____, which include metabolic effects that are responsible for increasing plasma levels of _____, as well as _____, ________, and _______ effects

Answer 17

Cortisol plays a key role in the body’s adaptations to stress, which include metabolic effects that are responsible for increasing plasma levels of glucose, as well as sympathomimetic, anti-inflammatory, and immunosuppressive effects

Question 18

Secretion of cortisol is regulated by the _______-______-_______ pathway

Answer 18

Secretion of cortisol is regulated by the hypothalamus-anterior pituitary-adrenal cortex pathway, as shown in the diagram below.

Question 19

Cortisol hypersecretion is referred to as _______\_

Answer 19

Cortisol hypersecretion is referred to as Cushing’s syndrome

Question 20

Cushing’s syndrome can result from:

• increased secretion of ______\_or of ______\_,
• from ______\_ tumours or _________secreting tumours.

Answer 20

Cushing’s syndrome can result from:

• increased secretion of corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) or of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH),
• from cortisol-secreting tumours or _non-pituitary ACTH-_secreting tumours.

Question 21

The adrenal cortex produces both ____\_and ____\_ in small quantities in both males and females. However, the only reproductive hormone of physiological significance produced by the adrenal cortex is ________\_

Answer 21

The adrenal cortex produces both androgens and estrogens in small quantities in both males and females. However, the only reproductive hormone of physiological significance produced by the adrenal cortex is dehyroepiandrosterone (DHEA)

Question 22

In females, the sole source of androgens is the ______, whereas in adult males, the _______\_ supply an abundance of androgens

Answer 22

In females, the sole source of androgens is the adrenal cortex, whereas in adult males, the reproductive gonads supply an abundance of androgens

Question 23

In adult females, ____\_ is responsible for the androgen-dependent processes that occur, including body hair growth, the pubertal growth spurt, and the development and maintenance of the sex drive.

Answer 23

In adult females, DHEA is responsible for the androgen-dependent processes that occur, including body hair growth, the pubertal growth spurt, and the development and maintenance of the sex drive.

Question 24

Secretion of DHEA is regulated by ___________ in a manner similar to regulation of cortisol secretion

Answer 24

Secretion of DHEA is regulated by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in a manner similar to ACTH regulation of cortisol secretion

Question 25

In the feedback loop of DHEA regulation, DHEA inhibits __________\_

Answer 25

In the feedback loop of DHEA regulation, DHEA inhibits gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)

Question 26

Reproductive hormone hypersecretion is called ________\_and commonly results from an _____\_ defect in the _____\_ pathway

Answer 26

Reproductive hormone hypersecretion is called adrenogenital syndrome and commonly results from an enzymatic defect in the cortisol synthesis pathway

Question 27

Hormonal interrelationships in adrenogenital syndrome:

1. the deficiency of a specific enzyme essential for ____\_production by the ____\_ inhibits cortisol secretion by the adrenal cortex.
2. This causes a lack of negative-feedback on the ____\_and ____\_ and results in elevated levels of ____\_-releasing hormone (CRH) and ____\_ hormone (ACTH).
3. In response to increased levels of ACTH, the adrenal cortex increases ____\_ secretion.
4. Increased levels of androgens inhibit the ____\_pathway and the production of __\_ hormones and ____\_.

Answer 27

Hormonal interrelationships in adrenogenital syndrome:

1. the deficiency of a specific enzyme essential for cortisol production by the adrenal cortex inhibits cortisol secretion by the adrenal cortex.
2. This causes a lack of negative-feedback on the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary and results in elevated levels of corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).
3. In response to increased levels of ACTH, the adrenal cortex increases androgen secretion.
4. Increased levels of androgens inhibit the gonadotropin pathway and the production of sex hormones and gametes.

Question 28

Hyposecretion of the adrenal cortical hormones results only when activity of ___\_of the _____\_ is impaired

Answer 28

Hyposecretion of the adrenal cortical hormones results only when activity of both of the adrenal glands is impaired

Question 29

__________\_, also called Addison’s disease, involves an autoimmune-mediated destruction of all cortical layers

Answer 29

Primary adrenocortical insufficiency, also called Addison’s disease, involves an autoimmune-mediated destruction of all cortical layers

Question 30

Primary adrenocortical insufficiency, also called Addison’s disease, involves an _____\_-mediated _____\_ of all ______\_

Answer 30

Primary adrenocortical insufficiency, also called Addison’s disease, involves an autoimmune-mediated destruction of all cortical layers

Question 31

The most serious physiological consequence of Primary adrenocortical insufficiencyis the deficiency of ____\_, which results in ____\_, leading to cardiac ____\_, and ____\_, leading to ____\_

Answer 31

The most serious physiological consequence of Primary adrenocortical insufficiencyis the deficiency of aldosterone, which results in hyperkalemia, leading to cardiac arrhythmias, and hyponatremia, leading to hypotension

Question 32

Secondary adrenocortical insufficiency results from decreased __\_secretion and affects adrenal cortex secretion of both __\_ and ______, leading to an impaired __\_response and _____\_.

Answer 32

Secondary adrenocortical insufficiency results from decreased ACTH secretion and affects adrenal cortex secretion of both cortisol and reproductive hormones, leading to an impaired stress response and hypoglycemia.

Question 33

The adrenal medulla is a modified part of the __________\_

Answer 33

The adrenal medulla is a modified part of the sympathetic nervous system

Question 34

In response to an increase in sympathetic nervous system activity, the secretory cells release _______\_

Answer 34

In response to an increase in sympathetic nervous system activity, the secretory cells release catecholamines

Question 35

catecholamines consist of about 80% _______, about 20% _______, and less than 1% ______

Answer 35

catecholamines consist of about 80% epinephrine, about 20% norepinephrine, and less than 1% dopamine

Question 36

Epinephrine mimics the actions of the ___________ and plays an important role in mediating the __________ response.

Answer 36

Epinephrine mimics the actions of the sympathetic nervous system and plays an important role in mediating the “fight-or-flight” response.

Question 37

Epinephrine is important for

• maintaining ______\_,
• increasing plasma concentrations of ______\_,
• increasing the ______\_, and
• stimulating the ______\_

Answer 37

Epinephrine is important for

• maintaining arterial blood pressure,
• increasing plasma concentrations of glucose,
• increasing the metabolic rate, and
• stimulating the central nervous system