Suprarenal glands

Question 1

Shape of adrenal glands

Answer 1

Right:
- Pyramidal shaped

Left:
- Crescent shaped

Question 2

Adrenal glands overview

Answer 2

• Endocrine glands that lies on the upper pole of kidneys
• Surrounded by renal fascia
• Yellow cortex (derived from mesoderm) consists of:
  1) zona glomerulosa – secrete mineralcorticoids (e.g. aldosterone)
  2) zona fasciculata – secrete glucocorticoids (e.g. cortisol)
  3) zona reticularis – secrete androgens
• Brown medulla (derived from neural crest cells) consists of chromaffin cells that secrete catecholamines (NA, adrenaline)

Question 3

Arterial supply

Answer 3

1) Superior suprarenal artery (from inferior phrenic artery)
2) Middle suprarenal artery (from abdominal aorta)
3) Inferior suprarenal artery (from renal artery)

Question 4

Venous supply

Answer 4

1) Right suprarenal vein drains into IVC

2) Left suprarenal vein drains into left renal vein

Question 5

Relationship of Right suprarenal gland

Answer 5

Anterior:

1) IVC (anteromedial)
2) Right lobe of liver
3) Hepatorenal pouch

Posterior:
1) Right crus of diaphragm

Question 6

Relationship of Left suprarenal gland

Answer 6

Anterior:

1) Stomach
2) Spleen
3) Pancreas (anteroinferior)
4) Splenic artery and vein (anteroinferior)
5) Omental bursa

Posterior:
1) Left crus of diaphragm