pathology of pituitary and adrenal gland Flashcards
what is another name for the anterior pituitary
adenohypophysis
what does nerohypophysis also mean
posterior pituitary (because posterior pituitary hormones are transported via neurones)
which, anterior or posterior is derived from Rathkes pouch?
anterior
what hormones (6) does the anterior pituitary secrete?
FSH, LH, ACTH, TSH, Prolactin and GH
What 2 homones does the posterior pituitarty secrete?
ADH and Oxytocin
what is the posterior pituitary made from?
extension of neural tissue- glial cells and axonal processes
what histological features make up the anterior pituitary
acidophils, basophils, chromophobe
what is contained histologically within the posterior pituitary
non myelinated axons of neurosecretory neurons
where does a pituitary adenoma most commonly arise, anterior or posterior?
posterior
what 2 ways can you likely get pituitary ademnoma
sporadic or MEN1
what are the most common adenomas caused by hormones?
prolactinoma
what can large adenomas effect?
visual field, pressure atrophy of surrounding tissue, infarction can lead to panhypopituitarism
what features are present in prolactinoma
infertility, libido lack, amenorrhoea,
what is the second most hormone assoc adenoma?
growth hormone
what causes an increase in IGF?
growth hormone
what can ACTH secreting tumours cause?
cushings, microadenoma, bilateral adrenocortical hyperplasia
what is the most common form of pituitary hypofunction
panhypopituitarism
what is a craniopharyngioma derived from
remnants of rathkes pouch
when do people most commonly get craniopharyngiomas
5-15yo, 60-70yo
what are common symptoms with craniopharyngioma
headaches and visual disturbances
What are the 2 most common posterior pituitary syndromes
diabetes insipidus and SIADH
why is diabetes insidious caused
ADH deficiency, trauma, tumours
what causes SIADH
ectopic ADH production
What are the two parts to the adrenal gland
medulla and cortex
what are the 3 zones of the adrenal gland cortex
zona glomerulosa, fasciculata and reticularis
what does the bona glomerulosa produce
mineralocorticoids and aldosterone
what does the fasciculata contain
glucocorticoids and cortisol
what does the reticularis contain
sex steroids and glucocorticoids
what are the main cells in the adrenal medulla
chromatin cells which secrete catecholamines
adrenocorticol pathology can be hyper or hypo function. Name some causes of each
hyper- hyperplasia, adenoma, carcinoma, hypo- waterloos friderichsen or Addisons disease
true or false, adrenocortical hyperplasia can be congenital or aquired
true- both
what signs can be for adrenocortical hyperplasia
masculine features,
are adrenocortical carcinomas and adenomas similar?
yes- carcinoma is rare and malignant
what are some features suggesting adrenocortical carcinoma
size, haemorrhage and necrosis, mitosis, lack of clear cels or capsular invasion
what are some causes of hyper secretion of adrenocortical hormones
hyperaldosterone- conns, adenoma,
hypercortisolism- cushings,
what are some causes of adrenocortical insufficinecy
withdrawal of steroids, haemorrhage, Addisons, adrenalitis, infections and metastatic malignancy
How does Addisons present
insidious onset, decreased glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid levels with symptoms of fatigue, pigmentation, WL, diarrhoea, vomiting
what are 2 adrenal medullary tumours?
pheochromocytoma and neuroblastoma
when is neuroblastoma usually diagnosed?
at 18 months of age
what is pheochromocytoma derived from?
chromatin cells that secrete catecholamines
what does pheochromocytoma cause?
secondary hypertension (90%)
What do the 10% mean in phaeochromocytoma
10%- malignant, bilateral, extra adrenal, not associated with hypertension, 25% are familial
what is the definitive evidence of malignancy in phaeochromocytoma
metastasis
what neoplasia is pheochromocytoma a feature of?
multiple endocrine neoplasia
