Adrenal Gland Flashcards
Outline the 3 classes of steroid hormones?
Glucocorticoids - cortisol
Mineralocorticoids- aldosterone
Androgens - DHEAS and andostenedione
What is the adrenal medulla?
Sympathetic nervous system
What does the adrenal medulla produce?
Produces catecholamines ( adrenaline and nonadrenaline
Describe the outer cortex name, cell structure and hormone
- Zona glomerulosa
-cell arrangement in clumps
-aldosterone hormone
Describe the middle cortex name, cell structure and hormone
Zona fasciculata
- cells arranged in cords alongside blood sinusoids
-cortisol hormone
Describe the inner cortex name, cell structure and hormone
Zona reticularis
Network of smaller cells
Glucocorticoids and androgens hormones
Describe the centre of the gland name, cell structure and hormone
Adrenal medulla
Loose network of neurosecretory cells surrounded by blood vessels
Catecholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline)
What is primary adrenal cortical hypo function also known as?
Addisons disease
Describe Addison’s disease;
Can occur gradually or suddenly onset
Acute adrenal insufficiency can be life threatening
Outline some clinical features of addisons disease:
Weakness
Weight loss
Anorexia
Skin pigmentation
What is the secondary cause of adrenocortial hypo function?
Withdrawal of glucocorticoids (or failure to increase dose)
What is adrenal cortex hyper function known as?
Conn’s syndrome
What is conn’s syndrome caused by?
- adrenal adenoma (75%)
- bilateral hyperplasia of Zona glomerulosa
- adrenal carcinoma (rare)
What are some clinical features of conns syndrome?
- hypertension
-muscle weakness
-tetany
-parethesia
Outline the function of adrenaline in catecholamines;
- increases glycogen breakdown
- lipolysis
- gluconeogenesis
- increase release of amino acids,lactate and pyruvate
