Suprarenal Glands Week 1 FINISHED

Question 1

Are the suprarenal glands endocrine or exocrine?

Answer 1

Endocrine

Question 2

Where do endocrine glands secrete their hormones?

Answer 2

Directly into the blood stream

Question 3

Where do exocrine glands secrete their hormones?

Answer 3

Through a duct onto an epithelial surface of the organ e.g. sebaceous glands or sweat glands

Question 4

Where do the suprarenal glands lie?

Answer 4

Superior and anterior to the superior pole of each kidney

Question 5

At what level in the body are the suprarenal glands?

Answer 5

Approx T12

Question 6

Where are the suprarenal glands found in relation to the diaphragm?

Answer 6

They are found between the superior and medial surface of each kidney and the diaphragm

Question 7

Are the suprarenal glands symmetrical?

Answer 7

No

Question 8

What colour are the suprarenal glands?

Answer 8

Yellowish

Question 9

What surrounds the suprarenal glands?

Answer 9

Connective tissue and perinephric fat, within their own compartment of the renal capsule.

Question 10

What is the shape of the right suprarenal gland?

Answer 10

Pyramidal/triangular in shape

Question 11

What organs/structures is the right suprarenal gland in contact with/surrounded by?

Answer 11

The anterior surface is overlapped medially by the IVC.

The rest of the anterior surface is in contact with the liver.

Question 12

Are the suprarenal glands peritoneal or retroperitoneal?

Answer 12

Retroperitoneal

Question 13

What is the shape of the left suprarenal gland?

Answer 13

Cresent/semi lunar

Question 14

What other organs does the left suprarenal gland have contact with?

Answer 14

Spleen, stomach and pancreas

Question 15

What distance from each other are each of the medial borders of the suprarenal glands?

Answer 15

4-5cm

Question 16

What is found between the suprarenal glands from right to left?

Answer 16

IVC, right crus of the diaphragm, coeliac ganglion and trunk, SMA, left crus of the diaphragm

Question 17

What is the arterial supply of the suprarenal glands?

Answer 17

Branches of the:

• inferior phrenic arteries,
  superior suprarenal arteries (6-8)
• aorta, (near the level of the SMA)
  middle suprarenal arteries (1+)
• renal arteries,
  inferior suprarenal arteries (1+)

Question 18

What is the venous drainage of the suprarenal glands?

Answer 18

One vein from each gland:

The left drains into the left renal vein and is slightly longer than the vein to the right suprarenal gland which drains directly into the IVC.

Question 19

What is the nerve supply for the suprarenal glands?

Answer 19

SNS: Splanchnic nerves via and coeliac plexus, T10-T11

PSNS: NO Parasympathetic supply

Question 20

What is the structure of the suprarenal glands?

Answer 20

They have a cortex and a medulla, which are made from 2 different kinds of endocrine tissue. The Medulla is made from ectoderm and the cortex is made from mesoderm.

Question 21

What is the function of the cortex of the suprarenal glands?

Answer 21

Secretes a variety of steroid hormones which are all structurally related to cholesterol.

Question 22

What is a hormone?

Answer 22

A substance which is produced in one part of the body, passes into the blood stream and is carried to other distant organs or tissues where is modifies their structure or function

Question 23

What is a steroid?

Answer 23

A group of compounds having a common structure based on the steroid nucleus which consists of 3 six membered carbon chains and 1 five membered carbon chain.

Question 24

How many layers does the cortex of the suprarenal glands have?

Answer 24

3

Question 25

Steroid hormones secreted by the cortex of the suprarenal glands are typically divided into 3 subcategories which are:

Answer 25

Mineralcorticoids Glucocorticoids Sex Hormones

Question 26

What is the function of mineralcorticoids?

Answer 26

Usually concerned with fluid and electrolyte metabolism Are necessary for the regulation of salt and water balance

Question 27

What is the function of glucocorticoids?

Answer 27

Have a wide range of effects on carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism

Question 28

What is the function of sex hormones?

Answer 28

Supplements the gonadal sex hormone secretion

Question 29

What are the 3 layers of the cortex of the suprarenal gland? Describe each of the layers in terms of how they appear

Answer 29

Outermost layer = Zona glomerulosa (small rounded cells found in clusters) Middle layer = Zona fasciculata (parallel rows of pale staining vacuolated cells. these parallel rows are found at right angles to the capsule) Innermost layer = Zona reticularis (network of smaller dark staining cells. Arranged in irregular cords)

Question 30

What does the zona glomerulosa of the cortex of the suprarenal gland secrete?

Answer 30

Mineralcorticoids

Question 31

What does the zona fasciculata of the cortex of the suprarenal gland secrete?

Answer 31

Glococorticoids

Question 32

What does the zona reticularis of the cortex of the suprarenal gland secrete?

Answer 32

Sex hormones

Question 33

What are the principle products of the cortex of the suprarenal gland and what are they effects on the body?

Answer 33

Cortisol, aldosterone and androgens They cause the kidneys to retain water and sodium in response to stress, increase blood pressure and blood volume, affect muscle and organs such as the heart and lungs.

Question 34

What part of the nervous system directly controls the medulla?

Answer 34

The sympathetic nervous system

Question 35

What is the function of the medulla of the suprarenal gland?

Answer 35

It reinforces the action of the SNS under conditions of stress.

Question 36

What does the medulla of the suprarenal gland look like?

Answer 36

Innermost to the cortex, it is thinner, smaller and grey

Question 37

What do the cells of the medulla of the suprarenal gland do?

Answer 37

They secrete catecholamines: - adrenaline (epinephrine) - noradrenaline (norepinephrine) - dopamine These increase heart rate, increase blood pressure and dilate bronchioles, activating the bodes flight or fight response.

Question 38

Where in the suprarenal gland are dilated capillaries usually found?

Answer 38

In the medulla but not usually the cortex.