Untitled Deck Flashcards
How many adrenal glands are there in each person?
There are 2 adrenal glands in each person
Where are the adrenal glands located?
Attached on the upper portion of the kidney
What are the two layers of the adrenal gland?
- Adrenal cortex (outer layer)
- Adrenal medulla (center)
What hormones are secreted by the adrenal cortex?
- Cortisol (glucocorticoids)
- Aldosterone (mineralocorticoids)
- Androgen (sex hormones)
What regulates the secretion of hormones from the adrenal cortex?
The hypothalamus pituitary-adrenal glands axis
What initiates the secretion of hormones from the adrenal cortex?
A negative feedback mechanism leading to the release of Corticotropin Releasing Hormone (CRH)
What is the role of glucocorticoids (cortisol)?
- Important in glucose metabolism
- Affects carbohydrates, protein, and fat metabolism
- Regulates body’s response to stress and emotion stability
- Role in immune system
What is the role of mineralocorticoids (aldosterone)?
- Acts on renal tubules and GIT to increase sodium absorption
- Increases function when renin is released
- Promotes potassium excretion
What hormones are secreted by the adrenal medulla?
- Epinephrine
- Norepinephrine
What is the major effect of epinephrine?
Fight-flight response
What is Addison’s Disease?
Adrenocortical insufficiency due to dysfunction of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal glands loop
What are common causes of Addison’s Disease?
- Autoimmune (70-90%)
- Tuberculosis
- Surgical removal of adrenal glands
- Certain medications
- Cancers
What are clinical manifestations of Addison’s disease related to glucocorticoids?
- Hypoglycemia
- Fatigue
- Muscle weakness
- Weight loss
- Abdominal pain
- Decreased stress response
What is an Addisonian crisis?
A life-threatening complication of Addison’s disease characterized by severe hypotension, cyanosis, fever, nausea, and vomiting
What diagnostics are used for Addison’s disease?
- Decreased serum cortisol
- Increased plasma ACTH
- Hypovolemia
- Hypoglycemia
- Hyponatremia
- Hyperkalemia
What medications are used in the medical management of Addison’s disease?
- IV hydrocortisone
- Vasopressors
- Antibiotics
- Lifelong corticosteroids and mineralocorticoids
What is Cushing Syndrome?
Hyperfunction of the adrenal cortex resulting in excessive secretion of glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and androgens
What are common clinical manifestations of Cushing Syndrome?
- Central obesity
- Buffalo hump
- Thin extremities
- Osteoporosis
- Purple striae
- Muscle weakness
- Hyperglycemia
What diagnostic tests are used for Cushing Syndrome?
- Increased serum cortisol
- Urinary cortisol collection
- Low dose dexamethasone suppression test
What is pheochromocytoma?
A rare tumor that originates from the chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla resulting in excessive secretion of epinephrine and norepinephrine
What are the 5 H’s of pheochromocytoma?
- Hypertension
- Headache
- Hyperhidrosis
- Hypermetabolism
- Hyperglycemia
What are common symptoms of pheochromocytoma?
- Hypertension
- Tachycardia
- Headache
- Diaphoresis
- Palpitations
What is the definitive treatment for pheochromocytoma?
Adrenalectomy
Fill in the blank: The adrenal cortex secretes _______.
[glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, androgens]
