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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
Q

What happens when aldosterone is produced?
(3)

A

This targets kidney tubules

Increases absorption of Na+ and water: increased K+ excretion

Increased blood volume and blood pressure

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26
Q

Where is aldosterone produced

A

Zona glomerulosa of adrenal cortex

27
Q

What happens if you remove the adrenal glands?

A

It leads to death within just a few days

28
Q

Why does removal of adrenal glands cause death in a few days
(5)

A

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
Q

What does a failure to produce glucocorticoids do?
(3)

A

Not likely to be life-threatening

Leads to:
- deranged metabolism
- an inability to deal with stressors which, if untreated, is fatal

30
Q

How is cortisol secretion controlled?
(5)

A

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
Q

What affects does cortisol have?
(2)

A

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
Q

Cortisol effects what processes when glucose levels are low?
(3)

A

Stimulates gluconeogenesis particularly in the liver

Inhibition of glucose uptake in muscle and adipose tissue

Stimulation of fat breakdown in adipose tissue

33
Q

What effects do glucocorticoids have on inflammation?

A

They have the potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties

34
Q

How does adrenaline and noradrenaline do?
(3)

A

Released into blood

They bind to adrenergic receptors on target cells

They induce essentially the same effects as direct sympathetic nervous stimulation

35
Q

What’s the difference between the adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla?

A

Adrenal cortex is a true endocrine gland

Adrenal medulla is a modified sympathetic ganglion

36
Q

How is the medulla stimulated?
(4)

A

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
Q

Why is the adrenal medulla considered a neuroendocrine organ?

A

It secretes adrenaline directly into the bloodstream

38
Q

What are the chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla?

A

They are modified postsympathetic neurons

39
Q

What systems does adrenaline affect?
(4)

A

Cardiovascular system

CNS

Respiratory system

Metabolic system

40
Q

How does adrenaline affect the cardiovascular system

A

Stimulation of cardiac B-receptors cause an increase in heart rate and contractility

41
Q

How does adrenaline affect the CNS

A

Causes tremors, anxiety, restlessness and headache

42
Q

How does adrenaline affect the respiratory system
(2)

A

It increases central respiratory drive

Has a powerful bronchodilator action

43
Q

How does adrenaline affect the metabolic system

A

It raises blood glucose and free fatty acids

44
Q

What systems does noradrenaline affect?

A

Cardiovascular system

Respiratory system

45
Q

How does noradrenaline affect the cardiovascular system

A

Low doses stimulates a-receptors causing vasodilation

46
Q

How does noradrenaline affect the respiratory system
(2)

A

There is little bronchodilator effect

Respiratory minute volume is slightly increased

47
Q

List the different types of endocrine system disorders
(4)

A

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
Q

Give two examples of disorders of the adrenal gland

A

Addison’s Disease

Cushings Disease

49
Q

What causes addison’s disease

A

Inadequate glucocorticoid production

50
Q

What causes inadequate glucocorticoid production
(2)

A

Caused by an autoimmune reaction which destroys the zona fasciculata

Can also be caused by an infection by the bacteria responsible for tuberculosis

51
Q

How does addison’s disease affect patients
(2)

A

Individuals become weak and lose weight

Causes blood glucose concentration to fall sharply within hours after a meal

52
Q

Why do addison’s patients loose weight?

A

Cannot use lipid reserves to generate ATP

53
Q

How is addison’s treated?

A

Treated with steroids which can cause problems long term

54
Q

What is cushings disease?

A

Overproduction of glucocorticoids

55
Q

What causes cushings disease?

A

Too much ACTH is being secreted

56
Q

What are the symptoms of cushings disease

A

Symptoms are similar to extreme stress

57
Q

What does too much ACTH production in cushings disease do?
(3)

A

Glucose metabolism is suppressed

Lipid reserves are mobilised

Peripheral proteins broken down

58
Q

How does cushings disease affect physical characteristics
(7)

A

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
Q

What is moon facies?

A

Fullness and rounding of the face

60
Q

What is a buffalo hump

A

Added fat on back of neck

61
Q

What are abdominal striae

A

Publish stretch marks on the abdomen

62
Q

What are plethora

A

Red cheeks

63
Q

What are some physical characteristics of addisons

A

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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