The Supradrenal glands Flashcards
What are the supradrenal glands?
pair of endocrine glands one associated with the upper pole of each kidney. They are enclosed in and separated from the kidney by means of a capsule.
Important endocrine glands just above the kidney. Same fat layer as pancreas
What is different between the right and left adrenal gland?
Right adrenal gland- IVC is just in front of it so cant be seen easily whereas left one is more in front
Are the supradreanl glands intra retroperitoneal?
Retroperitoneal
What are the 2 parts of the adrenal gland
The outer cortex and the inner medulla.
Embryologically, these have two different origins, mesodermal epithelium gives rise to the cortex and neuroectoderm gives rise to the medulla.
What does the supradrenal vein drain into on the right side and left side?
Right side- IVC
Left side- Left renal vein or left inferior phrenic vein
What are the 3 areas of the cortex?
an outer zona glomerulosa (thin)
a middle zona fasciculata (thick)
an inner zona reticularis (immediately adjacent to the medulla)
The medulla has collections of large ovoid chromaffin cells which secrete WHAT?
Adrenal and noradrenaline
- Blue- Outer zona glomerulosa (pours out steroid hormone (sodium and potassium regulation*
- Red- Middle zone fasiculata*
- Black-Inner zona reticularis*
- Medulla is very vascular*
What are the 3 main hormone types secreted from each of the 3 zones?
- Zona glomerulosa- Mineralcorticoids*
- Zone fasiculata- Glucocorticoids like cortisol and corticosterone*
- Zona reticularis- Sex hormones- adrogens (mainly dehydroepiandrosterone, DHEA sulfate and androstendione)*
