Endocrine Anatomy

Question 1

at which vertebral level does the thyroid gland sit?

Answer 1

C5 - T1

Question 2

in front of which tracheal rings does the thyroid gland sit?

Answer 2

cricoid until 6th cartilage

Question 3

name three strap muscles which sit anteriorly to the thyroid gland

Answer 3

omohyoid
sternohyoid
sternothyroid

Question 4

what provides the blood supply to the thyroid gland?

Answer 4

superior thyroid artery - from external carotid artery

inferior thyroid artery - from thyrocervical artery

Question 5

define the venous drainage of the thyroid gland

Answer 5

superior thyroid vein - into internal jugular vein
middle thyroid vein - into internal jugular vein
inferior thyroid vein - into brachiocephalic

Question 6

what is the blood supply and venous drainage of the parathyroid glands?

Answer 6

arterial supply: inferior thyroid artery

venous drainage: superior/middle jugular veins

Question 7

what is the blood supply and venous drainage of the anterior pituitary?

Answer 7

superior hypophyseal artery

Question 8

what is the blood supply and venous drainage of the posterior pituitary?

Answer 8

inferior hypophyseal artery

Question 9

which major artery gives off branches to supply the pituitary gland?

Answer 9

internal carotid artery

Question 10

how does the hypothalamus communicate with a. the anterior pituitary and b. the posterior pituitary?

Answer 10

a. through the hypophyseal portal system

b. through nerve axons

Question 11

branches of which three arteries supply the adrenal glands?

Answer 11

inferior phrenic arteries
abdominal aorta
renal arteries

Question 12

which veins do the adrenal glands drain into?

Answer 12

right - into IVC

left - into renal vein

Question 13

name a few arteries which supply the pancreas

Answer 13

splenic artery
pancreaticoduodenal arteries
transverse pancreatic artery