Pathology - Pituitary and Adrenal Flashcards
what are the two lobes of the pituitary?
anterior
posterior
what is another name for the anterior pituitary?
adenohypophysis
where is the anterior pituitary derived from?
Rathke’s pouch
what is a trophic hormone?
one that affects other endocrine cells
what is a non-trophic hormone?
one that acts on specific cell targets
what four trophic hormones are secreted by the anterior pituitary?
TSH
ACTH
FSH
LH
what two non trophic hormones are secreted by the anterior pituitary?
GH
prolactin
what is another name for the posterior pituitary?
neurohypophysis
what is the posterior pituitary?
an extension of neural tissue
contains modified glial cells and axonal processes
what hormones are secreted by the posterior pituitary?
ADH
oxytocin
what three cell types are found in the anterior pituitary?
acidophils
basophils
chromophobes
what are the two acidophils of the anterior pituitary?
somatotrophs
mammotrophs
what are the three basophils of the anterior pituitary?
corticotrophs
thyrotrophs
gonadotrophs
what do somatotrophs secreted?
GH
what do mammotrophs secrete?
PRL
what do corticotrophs secrete?
ACTH
what do thyrotrophs secrete?
TSH
what do gonadotrophs secrete?
FSH and LH
what are chromophobes?
cells containing no hormones
what is a pituitary adenoma derived from?
the cells of the anterior pituitary
what are the two ways a person can develop a pituitary adenoma?
sporadic
associated with MEN1
what are the two classifications of a pituitary adenoma?
microadenoma (<1cm)
macroadenoma (>1cm)
what characterises the aggressive subset of pituitary adenomas?
increased mitotic figures
p53 mutations
what is panhypopituitarism?
absent or inadequate production of the hormones of the anterior pituitary
where is a craniopharyngioma derived from?
the remnants of rathke’s pouch
what are the symptoms of a craniopharyngioma? (3)
headaches
visual disturbances
children may have growth delay
what is a rare complication of craniopharyngioma?
SCC after radiation
what is the prognosis for craniopharyngioma like?
very good
what are the two types of diabetes insipidus?
central
nephrogenic
what is central diabetes insipidus due to?
ADH deficiency
what is nephrogenic diabetes insipidus due to?
renal resistance to ADH
what are the three parts of the adrenal cortex?
zona glomerulosa
zona fasciculata
zone reticularis
what does the zona glomerulosa secrete?
mineralocorticoids
aldosterone
what does the zona fasciculata secrete?
glucocorticoids
cortisol
what does the zona reticularis secrete?
sex steroids and glucocorticoids
what is the core of the adrenal called?
the medulla
what innervates the adrenal medulla?
pre-synaptic fibres from the sympathetic nervous system
what cell type makes up the adrenal medulla and what do they secrete?
chromaffin cells
catecholamines
what are the two possible tumours of the adrenal medulla?
pheochromocytoma
neuroblastoma
what are the two types of adrenocortical hyperplasia?
congenital
acquired
what is the inheritance pattern for CAH?
autosomal recessive
what is the pathophysiology of CAH?
deficiency of enzymes required for steroid biosynthesis
results in increased androgen production
how can CAH present?
masculinisation of features
precocious puberty
adrenocortical tumours are rare in children, what increases the risk?
Li-Fraumeni syndrome
when is neuroblastoma usually diagnosed?
infancy
where are neuroblastomas found?
adrenal medulla
along the sympathetic chain
what is phaeochromocytoma?
a neoplasm derived from the chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla
what does a pheochromocytoma secrete?
catecholamines
