The Adrenal Gland Flashcards
Diagram of the adrenal glands
Diagram of the adrenal blood vessels
What is the microanatomy of the adrenal glands
What does the adrenal medulla secrete
Mineralocorticoids (aldosterone)
Glucocorticoids (cortisol)
Sex steroids (androgens, oestrogens)
Whate does the adrenal cortex secrete
Corticosteroids
Mineralocorticoides (aldosterone)
Glucocorticoids (cortisol)
Sex steriods (androgens, oestrogens
What does the zona glomerulosa secrete
Aldosterone
What does the zona fasiculata and zona reticularis secrete
Cortisol (androgens, oestrogens)
Picture of the layers of the adrenal cortex
How to draw the adrenal microanatomy
What is the first step of cholestrol turning into corticosteroids
How does progesterone get to aldosterone
Whole preview of cholestrol to aldosterone and cortisol
What does aldosterone do
Stimulates Na+ reabsorption in the distal convoluted tuble and corticol collecting duct in kidney (in sweat glands, gastric glands, colon)
Stimulates K+ and H+ secretion in the distal convoluted tubule
Aldosterone switches on ATPase
How is aldosterone regulated
If there is decreased renal perfusion pressure - juxtagolmerular measures BP
Increased renin secretion when BP falls
What is the renin cascade
Liver makes angiotensinogen (proteins)
Renin converts that into angiotensin 1 (hormones)
ACE is the lung which converts into angiotensin 2
Angriotensin 2 regulate aldosterone release
What does angiotensin 2 enzyme activate
3 hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase
21 hydroxylase
11 hydroxylase
18 hydroxylase
How is cortisol secreted
What is cortisol and what does it do
Stress hormone
Protein catabolism - breakdown protein
Hepatic gluconeogensis
Increase bloog glucose concentration
Fat metabolism
Enhanced effects of glucagon and catecholamines
Adenohypophysis negative feedback
Hypothalamo pituitary adrenal axis drawing
What type of rhythm does cortisol have
Diurnal
Lower at midnight
Peak at 8 30
Responsibel for sleep cycle
Tells your body what day it is
It secretes cortisol in pulses
Circadian rhythm
What are the symptoms of addison disease
Increase pigmentation (especially when there is no sun)
Autoimmune vvitiligo
No cortisol or aldosterone so low blood pressure
Salt loss
Eventual death
Aldosterone and cortisol deficiency
What is the cause of primary adrenal failure
Autoimmune disease
TB
Pituitary starts screting lots of ACTH and MSH - melanocyte stimulating hormone
Why do patients with Addison’s disease have a good tan
POMC (pro-opio-melanocortin) is large precursour protein that is cleaved to form ACTH, MSH and endoprhins
What is the urgent treatment of Addison’s disease
Rehydrate with normal saline
Dextrose to prevent hypoglycaemia
Give hydrocortisone
Predisolone - does a bit of the work of cortisol
Cause of cushing syndrome
Tumour of adrenal or pituitary
Metabolism changes and put on weight
Symptoms of cushing syndromes
Adrenal gland gets bigger
Fat pads - fat deposition
Stop making protein and start making fat
Skin gets thinner, bruising
Cannot make cell in between cells in between skin so tear. Can’t make protein fast enough
Increase blood pressure
Wound and injuries don’t heal
Moon face
List four possibel causes of Cushing syndroms
Taking steroids
Pituitary depedent Cushing disease - makes ACTH cushing disease
Ectopic ACTH lung cancer
Adrenal adenoma or carcinoma
Where are catecholamines derived from
Tyrosine
Stored in cytoplasmic granules and release in response to Ach
How is dopamine converted to noradrenaline and adrenaline
Role of catecholamines
Increased blood glucose, aalertness
NA and Adr bound to albumin
Degraded by hepatic enzymes: monoamine oxidase and catechol-o-methyl transferase
