Session 9 (1) - Normal structure of Pituitary and Adrenal Glands Flashcards

1
Q

Name 6 hormones produced from pituitatry, and the cells they stem from

A

TSH is produced in the Thyrotrophs
ACTH produced in the Corticotrophs
Growth hormone produced in the Somatotrophs (largest number of cells)
LH and FSH are produced in the Gonadotrophs
Prolactin is produced in the Lactotrophs

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2
Q

Where is the pituitary located?

A

Base of the brain suspended from the hypothalamus by a stalk

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3
Q

How do releasing factors travel from hypothalamus to pituitary gland?

A

Via hypohyseal portal system, a specialised series of blood vessels.

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4
Q

List the three types of hormones released from adrenal cortex and give examples of each

A

Mineralocorticoids
E.g. Aldosterone (C21 steroid)

Glucocorticoids
E.g. Cortisol and Corticosterone (C21 steroids) major steroids produced

Androgens

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5
Q

Give two parts of adrenal gland

A

Cortex and Medulla

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6
Q

What is the name for the three sections of the adrenal cortex, and what does each secrete?

A
Zona Glomerulosa --> Mineralocorticoids 
E.g. Aldosterone (C21 steroid)
Zona Fasciculata --> Glucocorticoids 
E.g. Cortisol and Corticosterone (C21 steroids) major steroids produced
Zona Reticularis --> Androgens
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7
Q

What is released from medulla?

A

Adrenaline

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8
Q

What is the function of TSH?

A

Stimulates secretion of thyroid hormones from thyroid

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9
Q

What is the function of growth hormone?

A

Affects metabolism, increasing muscle mass

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10
Q

What are the functions of LH and FSH?

A

Affects ovary and testis function

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11
Q

What is the function of prolactin?

A

Affects breast and milk development

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12
Q

What is the function of aldosterone?

A

Stimulates Na+ reabsorption in the kidney in exchange for K+ (or H+).

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13
Q

What does over secretion of aldosterone cause?

A

increases Na+ and water retention and loss of K+ causing hypertension and muscle weakness.

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14
Q

What does undersecretion of aldosterone cause?

A

Undersecretion decreases Na+ and water retention, increases K+. Causes hypotension.

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15
Q

What are the functions of androgens?

A

Stimulate growth and development of male genital tract and male secondary sexual characteristics. Anabolic.

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16
Q

Give an example of an androgen

A

Testosterone

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17
Q

What effect does over secretion of androgens have on females?

A

Hair growth, deepening voice, menstrual problems and acne.

18
Q

What are the functions of Oestrogen?

A

Stimulate growth and development of female genital tract and female secondary sexual characteristics. Weakly anabolic.
(broad hips, accumulation of fat in breasts, body hair distribution)

19
Q

How do steroids differ in structure from each other?

A

Number of C atoms
Presence of functional groups
Distribution of C=C bonds

20
Q

Give two distinctive features of steroid hormones

A

Lipophillic

Synthesised from Cholesterol via progesterone

21
Q

What is CRF secreted in response to, and where is it secreted from?

A

Physical (temperature, pain), chemical (hypoglycaemia) and emotional stressors.
Secreted from hypothalamus.

22
Q

How is CRF secretion inhibited?

A

Negative feedback from glucocorticoids

23
Q

What does CRF do?

A

Causes secretion of ACTH from anterior pituitary

24
Q

What is the precursor for ACTH?

A

POMC

25
Q

What does post translation processing of POMC produce?

A

a-melanocyte stimulating hormone
ACTH
B endorphins

26
Q

What does ACTH cause pigmentation in body when present in large amounts?

A

MSH sequence contained with ACTH sequence, give ACTH some MSH like activity when in excess.

27
Q

How does ACTH production relate to cortisol secretion rhythmn?

A

Secreted in pulses following circardian rhythmn

28
Q

Where does ACTH bind and how? What does binding do?

A

Where
Zona fasiculata
Zona reticularis

How
Hydrophillic, interacts with high affinity receptors on cell surface.

Binding stimulates cholesterol esterase, which produces cholesterol from which cortisol produced.

29
Q

What is the name of the receptor ACTH binds to?

A

Melanocortin receptor

30
Q

What does over secretion of ACTH cause?

A

Pigmentation

Over-production of cortisol

31
Q

What does under secretion of ACTH cause?

A

Symptoms related to lack of glucocorticoids

32
Q

How is cortisol transported in plasma and why?

A

Bound to plasma proteins as it is lipophillic

33
Q

Describe mechanism of action for cortisol on target cells

A

Cortisol can cross plasma membranes and bind to cytoplasmic receptors
The hormone/receptor complex enters nucleus and interacts with specific regions of DNA
This interaction changes rate of transcription of certain genes

34
Q

Describe the functions of cortisol

A

1) Increase proteolysis (decreased amino acid uptake + protein synthesis)
2) Hepatic gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis
3) Increased lipolysis in adipose tissue (HIGH cortisol results in lipogenesis)
4) Decreased peripheral uptake of glucose (ANTI-INSULIN)

35
Q

How is adrenaline synthesised?

A

Tyrosine –> Dopamine –> Adrenaline

36
Q

What type of hormone is adrenaline?

A

Amino acid derivative

37
Q

Give four effects of adrenaline

A
  • Cardiovascular system (increased cardiac output, increased blood supply to muscle)
  • CNS (Increased mental alertness)
  • Carb metabolism (increased glycogenolysis)
  • Lipid metabolism (increased lipoysis in adipose tissue)
38
Q

What is adrenaline secreted in response to?

A

Fright, fight or flight - stress situations

39
Q

What can cause overproduction of adrenaline?

A

Tumour (phaechromocytoma) in adrenal medulla

40
Q

What can overproduction of adrenaline cause?

A

Hypertensison, anxiety, palpitations, sweating and glucose intolerance