PBL 4: Adrenal Flashcards
Aldosterone is a type of?
A) Mineralocorticoid
B) Glucocorticoid
A) Mineralocorticoid
Cortisol is a type of:
A) Mineralocorticoid
B) Glucocorticoid
B) Glucocorticoid
In which region of the adrenal gland is aldosterone produced?
Zona glomerulosa
What condition is caused by cortisol deficiency?
Addison’s disease
Middle suprarenal arteries are most likely to branch directly from which vessel?
Aorta
Patients with hyperaldosteronism can develop _____ and _____.
A) Hypokalemia
B) Hyperkalemia
C) Alkalosis
D) Acidosis
A) Hypokalemia + C) Alkalosis
Aldosterone upregulates ENaC channels on the interstitial side and sodium-potassium ATPase channels on the basolateral side of renal tubular epithelial cells, resulting in increased resorption of sodium ions from the lumen in the collecting duct. The increased negative charge in the luminal fluid causes increased potassium ion secretion from principle tubular cells and increased hydrogen ion secretion from tubular intercalated cells. Overall, more potassium and hydrogen ions are lost in the urine.
Where is calcitonin produced and what is its function
- Hormone produced by the parafollicular (also known as clear cells) of the thyroid gland.
- Acts to reduce calcium levels in the blood by inhibits the activity of osteoclasts and decreasing the resorption of calcium by the kidneys.
- Functions opposite to parathyroid hormone.
What is the function of cholecalciferol?
- AKA vitamin D
- Function is to absorb calcium from the gut into the bloodstream.
What is the function of the parathyroid hormone
Parathyroid hormone increasing the levels of calcium in the body when they are too low. It does this through its actions on the kidneys, bones and intestine:
- Bones – parathyroid hormone stimulates the release of calcium from large calcium stores in the bones into the bloodstream. This increases bone destruction and decreases the formation of new bone.
- Kidneys – parathyroid hormone reduces loss of calcium in urine. Parathyroid hormone also stimulates the production of active vitamin D in the kidneys.
- Intestine – parathyroid hormone indirectly increases calcium absorption from food in the intestine, via its effects on vitamin D metabolism.
The adrenal glands are ___peritoneal?
Retroperitoneal
What is the difference in shape between the left and right adrenal gland
Right adrenal gland is pyramidal in shape.
Left adrenal gland is semi-lunar in shape.
What layer of the kidney covers the adrenal gland to?
Perinephric fascia encloses the adrenal glands and the kidneys.
The outer cortex and inner medulla are the functional portions of the adrenal gland. They have different embryological origins. What are the embryological origins of the medulla and cortex?
Cortex – derived from the embryonic mesoderm.
Medulla – derived from the ectodermal neural crest cells (ectoderm).
Functionally, the cortex can be divided into three regions.
Name these regions from superficial to deep?
- Zona glomerulosa
- Zona fasciculata
- Zona reticularis
What does the zona glomerulosa region of the adrenal cortex produce and secretes
Produces and secretes mineralocorticoids such as aldosterone.
What does the zona fasciculata region of the adrenal cortex produces and secretes
Produces and secretes corticosteroids such as cortisol
What does the zona reticularis region of the adrenal cortex produce and secretes
Produces and secretes androgens such as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHES)
What type of cell is located in the adrenal medulla
Chromaffin cells
The Chromaffin cells are located in which region?
Adrenal medulla
What is the function of the Chromaffin cells?
Located in the adrenal medulla
Secrete catecholamines (such as (nor)adrenaline) into the bloodstream in response to stress.
he adrenal glands have a rich blood supply via three main arteries.
Name these three arteries
- Superior adrenal artery
- Middle adrenal artery
- Inferior adrenal artery
Superior adrenal artery – arises from the?
Inferior phrenic artery
Middle adrenal artery – arises from the?
Abdominal aorta.
Inferior adrenal artery – arises from the?
Renal arteries.
