Pathology

Question 1

Where do the adrenal glands sit in relation to the kidneys?

Answer 1

Superior and medial

Question 2

What are the 2 parts that make up an adrenal gland?

Answer 2

Outer cortex and inner medulla

Question 3

Which part of the adrenal glands synthesise steroid hormones?

Answer 3

Outer cortex

Question 4

The synthesis of all corticosteroids in the adrenal cortex begins with what?

Answer 4

Cholesterol

Question 5

What hormone(s) is/are produced in the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex?

Answer 5

Mineralocorticoids (aldosterone)

Question 6

What regulates aldosterone?

Answer 6

Angiotensin II and K+ concentrations

Question 7

What hormone(s) is/are produced in the zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex?

Answer 7

Corticosteroids (cortisol and corticosterone)

Question 8

What regulates the glucocorticoids?

Answer 8

ACTH

Question 9

What hormone(s) is/are produced in the zona reticularis of the adrenal cortex?

Answer 9

Androgens (e.g. DHEA)

Question 10

What regulates androgens?

Answer 10

ACTH and other unknown factors

Question 11

Name the different zones of the adrenal cortex in order of outer to inner?

Answer 11

Zona glomerulosa, zone fasciculata, zona reticularis

Question 12

What 3 things make up the adrenal medulla?

Answer 12

Chromaffin cells, medullary veins, splanchnic nerves

Question 13

What hormones are secreted from the adrenal medulla?

Answer 13

Catecholamines (adrenaline, noradrenaline)

Question 14

The RAAS system is activated in response to what?

Answer 14

Decreased BP

Question 15

How does the RAAS system increase BP?

Answer 15

Production of angiotensin II, causes direct (vasoconstriction) and indirect (aldosterone) methods of BP elevation

Question 16

Where does aldosterone act?

Answer 16

The mineralocorticoid receptor in the kidneys, salivary glands, gut and sweat glands

Question 17

What is the action of aldosterone?

Answer 17

K+/H+ excretion and Na+ reabsorption as well as elevated BP

Question 18

Where do corticosteroids bind?

Answer 18

Intracellular steroid receptors

Question 19

What happens once corticosteroids have bound to receptors?

Answer 19

The receptor/ligand complex binds to DNA to alter transcription

Question 20

What are the 6 classes of steroid receptor?

Answer 20

Mineralocorticoid, glucocorticoid, progestin, oestrogen, androgen, vitamin D

Question 21

What are the CNS effects of glucocorticoids?

Answer 21

Moodswings, decreased libido

Question 22

How do glucocorticoids accelerate osteoporosis?

Answer 22

Decreased serum calcium and collagen formation

Question 23

What immunological effects do glucocorticoids have?

Answer 23

Decreased capillary dilatation, leukocyte migration, macrophage activity and inflammatory cytokine production

Question 24

What metabolic effects do glucocorticoids have?

Answer 24

Increased blood sugar, lipolysis and proteolysis

Question 25

What are the cardiac effects of glucocorticoids?

Answer 25

Increased cardiac output and BP

Question 26

What are the renal effects of glucocorticoids?

Answer 26

Increased renal blood flow and GFR

Question 27

What are the three main uses of corticosteroids?

Answer 27

Suppress inflammation and the immune system, replacement therapy

Question 28

What innervates the adrenal medulla?

Answer 28

Pre-synaptic fibres from the sympathetic nervous system

Question 29

What is the main component of the adrenal medulla?

Answer 29

Chromaffin cells

Question 30

Chromaffin cells secrete what?

Answer 30

Catecholamines