Week 9 - The Adrenal Cortex and Adrenal Medulla

Question 1

Glucocorticoids inhibit the ________ response to tissue injury.

Answer 1

Inflammatory

Question 2

What is transcortin?

Answer 2

Corticosteroid-binding globulin

Question 3

What is the classic appearance associated with hypercortisolism?

Answer 3

Moon face with plump cheeks

Question 4

How does cortisol increase blood pressure?

Answer 4

By increasing the actions of catecholamines

Question 5

What is the outermost zone of the adrenal cortex, and what does it secrete?

Answer 5

Zona glomerulosa, which secretes mineralocorticoids (e.g. aldosterone)

Question 6

What excess action of ACTH induces hyperpigmentation?

Answer 6

Acting on MSH receptors which enhance melanin production

Question 7

What is the first step in the steroid hormone biosynthesis conversion pathway?

Answer 7

Cholesterol to pregnenolone

Question 8

What is the most common disease associated with primary adrenal insufficiency?

Answer 8

Addison’s Disease

Question 9

Hyperkalaemia increases the secretion of which mineralocorticoid from the zona glomerulosa?

Answer 9

Aldosterone

Question 10

Explain a scenario that causes secondary hypercortisolism.

Answer 10

A pituitary tumor that autonomously secretes excess ACTH

Question 11

From which amino acid are the catecholamines synthesised in the adrenal medulla?

Answer 11

Tyrosine

Question 12

Excessive secretions of adrenal androgens in females cause what condition?

Answer 12

Hirsutism

Question 13

What is the primary target organ in which aldosterone acts?

Answer 13

Kidney

Question 14

What action does aldosterone have on potassium levels?

Answer 14

Hypokalaemia (decreased K+ levels)

Question 15

How vascular are the adrenal glands?

Answer 15

Highly (amongst most vascular of any organ in the body)

Question 16

Which layer of the adrenal cortex is aldosterone present in?

Answer 16

Zona glomerulosa

Question 17

What is the major adrenal androgen secreted from the zona reticularis?

Answer 17

Androstenedione

Question 18

What is the sympathetic preganglionic transmitter that increases adrenal medullary secretion?

Answer 18

Acetylcholine

Question 19

In Ectopic Cushing’s Syndrome, the increased cortisol in circulation is due to the excess secretion of ACTH from what parts of the body?

Answer 19

Other sites apart from endocrine tissues

Question 20

Cortisol causes the breakdown of skeletal muscle proteins to provide a substrate for what process?

Answer 20

Gluconeogenesis

Question 21

What is the major action of cortisol in the adipose tissue?

Answer 21

Lipolysis