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2.1 Control and Integrative Physiology > Natalie - Adrenal Gland > Flashcards

Natalie - Adrenal Gland Flashcards

1
Q

List the different parts of the adrenal gland
(4)

A

Medulla
Cortex
Capsule
(Partially buried in an island of fat)

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2
Q

Why is the adrenal gland often referred to as “two glands in one”

A

The medulla and the cortex produce a distinctly different group of hormones

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3
Q

Describe the position of the adrenal gland
(3)

A

Two adrenal glands are immediately anterior to the kidneys

Encased in a connective tissue capsule

Usually partially buried in an island of fat

Kidney hat

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4
Q

What are the functions of the inner medulla?

A

Secretes catecholamines: epinephrine and norepinephrine

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5
Q

List the two catecholamines

A

Epinephrine/adrenalin

Norepinephrine/noradrenalin

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6
Q

What are the functions of the outer cortex?

A

Secretes steroid hormones (glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids)

Sex steroids (testosterone)

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7
Q

Give two examples of steroid hormones

A

Glucocorticoids

Mineralocorticoids

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8
Q

Give an example of a glucocorticoid

A

Cortisol

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9
Q

Give an example of a mineralocorticoids

A

Aldosterone

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10
Q

Give an example of a sex steroid

A

Testosterone

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11
Q

What does cortisol do?

A

Helps us cope with stress

Small amount are beneficial -> large amounts are not

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12
Q

How does the hypothalmic, pituitary control the adrenal gland?
(6)

A

Stress: physical or emotional causes an increase in CRH in the hypothalamus

CRH increases ACTH in the pituitary

ACTH stimulates the adrenal gland

Cortisol is released by the adrenal gland

Cortisol reduces ACTH by negative feedback

Cortisol reduced CRH by negative feedback

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13
Q

What is CRH?

A

Corticotropin-releasing hormone

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14
Q

What is ACTH?

A

Adrenocorticotropic hormone

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15
Q

List the different histological structures of the adrenal gland
(6)

A

Capsule

Zone

Glomerulose

Zone fasciculate

Zone reticularis

Adrenal medulla

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16
Q

How many layers make up the adrenal cortex?

A

Three

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17
Q

What are the three layers of the adrenal cortex?

A

Zona glomerulosa

Zona fasciculata

Zona reticularis

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18
Q

What does the zona glomerulosa do?

A

Produces mineralocorticoids

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19
Q

What does the zona fasciculata do?

A

Produces gluocorticoids

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20
Q

What does the zona reticularis do?

A

Produces androgens

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21
Q

Write about the zona glomerulosa
(3)

A

Produces mineralocorticoids = aldosterone

It stimulates conservation/retention of sodium and elimination of potassium -> maintains water homeostasis

Stimulates nephron in the kidney

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22
Q

Write a note on the zona fasciculata

A

Produces glucocorticoids = cortisol

Accelerates the rates of glucose synthesis and glycogen formation, especially in the liver

Has an anti-inflammatory effect e.g. steroid creams to help with chronic inflammation

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23
Q

Write about the zona reticularis
(2)

A

Produces small amount of androgens i.e. the sex hormones (larger amount produced by testes in males)

The small amount produced is not important in normal healthy conditions

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24
Q

How is aldosterone secretion stimulated?
(4)

A

Increased K+ in the extracellular fluid

Activation of renin-angiotensin system

Angiotensin II produced

Aldosterone production stimulated

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25
What happens when aldosterone is produced? (3)
This targets kidney tubules Increases absorption of Na+ and water: increased K+ excretion Increased blood volume and blood pressure
26
Where is aldosterone produced
Zona glomerulosa of adrenal cortex
27
What happens if you remove the adrenal glands?
It leads to death within just a few days
28
Why does removal of adrenal glands cause death in a few days (5)
Failure to produce mineralocorticoids -> leads to: Concentrations of potassium in extracellular fluid increases Urinary excretion of sodium is high => Na+ in ECF decreases Volume of ECF and blood decrease The heart begins to function poorly, cardiac output declines and shock ensues
29
What does a failure to produce glucocorticoids do? (3)
Not likely to be life-threatening Leads to: - deranged metabolism - an inability to deal with stressors which, if untreated, is fatal
30
How is cortisol secretion controlled? (5)
Stress induces: Secretion of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) in hypothalamus Anterior pituitary stimulated Cortisol and other glucocorticoids are then secreted in response to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from anterior pituitary Production of cortisol inhibits CRH and ACTH by negative feedback
31
What affects does cortisol have? (2)
In fasted state, it stimulates several processes that collectively serve to increase and maintain normal concentrations of glucose in blood Effects on inflammation and immune functions
32
Cortisol effects what processes when glucose levels are low? (3)
Stimulates gluconeogenesis particularly in the liver Inhibition of glucose uptake in muscle and adipose tissue Stimulation of fat breakdown in adipose tissue
33
What effects do glucocorticoids have on inflammation?
They have the potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties
34
How does adrenaline and noradrenaline do? (3)
Released into blood They bind to adrenergic receptors on target cells They induce essentially the same effects as direct sympathetic nervous stimulation
35
What's the difference between the adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla?
Adrenal cortex is a true endocrine gland Adrenal medulla is a modified sympathetic ganglion
36
How is the medulla stimulated? (4)
Preganglionic sympathetic neuron from spinal cord Acetyl choline released at synapse at medulla Chromaffin cell in medulla is stimulated Adrenaline released directly into the bloodstream
37
Why is the adrenal medulla considered a neuroendocrine organ?
It secretes adrenaline directly into the bloodstream
38
What are the chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla?
They are modified postsympathetic neurons
39
What systems does adrenaline affect? (4)
Cardiovascular system CNS Respiratory system Metabolic system
40
How does adrenaline affect the cardiovascular system
Stimulation of cardiac B-receptors cause an increase in heart rate and contractility
41
How does adrenaline affect the CNS
Causes tremors, anxiety, restlessness and headache
42
How does adrenaline affect the respiratory system (2)
It increases central respiratory drive Has a powerful bronchodilator action
43
How does adrenaline affect the metabolic system
It raises blood glucose and free fatty acids
44
What systems does noradrenaline affect?
Cardiovascular system Respiratory system
45
How does noradrenaline affect the cardiovascular system
Low doses stimulates a-receptors causing vasodilation
46
How does noradrenaline affect the respiratory system (2)
There is little bronchodilator effect Respiratory minute volume is slightly increased
47
List the different types of endocrine system disorders (4)
Disorders of excess hormone Disorders involving lack or reduced concentration of hormone Receptor/cell defects which prevent hormonal effect on target tissues Adrenal gland disorders can change the physical appearance of the patient
48
Give two examples of disorders of the adrenal gland
Addison's Disease Cushings Disease
49
What causes addison's disease
Inadequate glucocorticoid production
50
What causes inadequate glucocorticoid production (2)
Caused by an autoimmune reaction which destroys the zona fasciculata Can also be caused by an infection by the bacteria responsible for tuberculosis
51
How does addison's disease affect patients (2)
Individuals become weak and lose weight Causes blood glucose concentration to fall sharply within hours after a meal
52
Why do addison's patients loose weight?
Cannot use lipid reserves to generate ATP
53
How is addison's treated?
Treated with steroids which can cause problems long term
54
What is cushings disease?
Overproduction of glucocorticoids
55
What causes cushings disease?
Too much ACTH is being secreted
56
What are the symptoms of cushings disease
Symptoms are similar to extreme stress
57
What does too much ACTH production in cushings disease do? (3)
Glucose metabolism is suppressed Lipid reserves are mobilised Peripheral proteins broken down
58
How does cushings disease affect physical characteristics (7)
Moon facies Buffalo hump Easy bruising of the skin abdominal striae Excessive weight gain in the abdominal region Plethora Excessive hair growth on the face, neck, chest, abdomen and thighs
59
What is moon facies?
Fullness and rounding of the face
60
What is a buffalo hump
Added fat on back of neck
61
What are abdominal striae
Publish stretch marks on the abdomen
62
What are plethora
Red cheeks
63
What are some physical characteristics of addisons
Darkened pigmentation of the skin due to increased secretion of melanin-secreting hormone (MSH)

2.1 Control and Integrative Physiology (21 decks)

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