The adrenal glands Flashcards
Where are the adrenal glands located
Upper poles of the kidneys
What are the 3 zones of the adrenal glands in a human
Zona glomerulus
Zona fasciculata
Zona reticularis
Does the adrenal gland share fascia with the kidney
No it has its own renal fascia
How do the shapes of the right and left adrenal glands differ
Right is more triangular
Left is flatter
What makes up the capsule of the adrenal glands
Fibroblasts and myofibroblasts
Where do veins and lymphatic vessels leave the adrenal glands
At the hila
What % of the adrenal gland is made up of cortex
90%
In what direction does blood flow through the adrenals
Capsule to medulla
Describe how vessels entering the adrenals appear
They form a subcapsular capillary plexus that gives rise to fenestrated sinusoids which pass through the gland
How does structure of blood vessels ensure efficiency hormone delivery
Most cells are only 1-2 cells away from vascular endothelial cell
Describe how the zona glomerulosa appears histologically
- Small, narrow cells in rounded clusters
- Deep staining nuclei and basophilic cytoplasm
- Lipid droplets
Describe how zona fasciculata cells appear histologically
Larger than ZG
Clear cells as don’t stain as much
Laid out in columns
Describe how zona reticularis appears histologically
Branching network of smaller, compact cells
What is secreted by each zone of the adrenals
ZG: aldosterone
ZF: cortisol
ZR: androgens
Describe the structure of the adrenal medulla
- Little connective tissue
- Chromaffin cells are large with large nuclei and fine cytoplasmic granules
What does the medulla secrete
Adrenalin and noradrenaline
3 kinds of stress body can experienceS
Starvation
Infection
Severe volume loss
What stimulates the release of aldosterone
High potassium
Low BP
What is the principle mineralocorticoid
Aldosterone
What is stimulated if there is haemorrhage/ sodium loss/ decreased renal perfusion
Renin from kidney
Angiotensinogen from the liver
What is the effect of ANG 2 on adrenals
Release of aldosterone and potassium moves in
Effect of aldosterone on the kidneys?
Increased sodium reabsorption and potassium secretion
This leads to h20 resorption which restores circulating volume
What is the effect of aldosterone on the vessels
Vasoconstriction and remodelling
2 molecules that can bind to mineralcorticoid receptor, and 1 that can’t
Cortisol and aldosterone can
Cortisone can’t
Describe how aldosterone acts on the kidney at a cellular level
- Stimulates Na/K ATPase
- Increases expression
- Inserts additional ENaC
- Stimulate H+ ATPase
What is Conn’s syndrome
Primary hyperaldosteronism
Symptoms of Conn’s syndrome
Hypertension
Suppressed plasma-renin activity
Increased aldosterone secretion
What can cause Conn’s syndrome
Aldosterone producing adenoma
Bilateral adrenal hyperplasia
How is Conn’s syndrome diagnosed
- Aldosterone: renin ratio
- Saline suppression test
- CT of adrenal glands
- Adrenal venous sampling