Adrenal Glands Flashcards
(44 cards)
Measurements of adrenal glands?
(said she won’t ask us)
3-6 cm long
2-4 cm wide
0.3-1 cm thick
Do adults or fetuses have larger adrenal glands?
Fetuses (10-20x larger)
What are the 2 parts of adrenal glands?
-Medulla
-Cortex (90% gland)
Where are the glands attached?
Anteromedial aspect within renal/gerota fascia + perinephric fat
Where is the right adrenal?
-Posterior + lateral to IVC
-Medial to RLL
Where is the left adrenal?
Posterior + lateral to AO
Is the left or right adrenal larger?
Left
What are the 3 arteries of the glands?
-Superior suprarenal (off inferior phrenic artery)
-Middle suprarenal (off AO)
-Inferior suprarenal (off renal artery)
What are the veins of the glands?
-Central vein through gland, exits at hilum
-R suprarenal (into IVC)
-L suprarenal (drains into LRV)
-L inferior phrenic (drains into LRV)
(left veins commonly join before emptying into LRV)
What are the 3 epithelial layers of the cortex?
-Zona glomerulosa (15%, outer)
-Zona fasciculata (75%, middle)
-Zona reticularis (10%, inner)
Are cortical hormones essential to life?
Yes!!
How does the negative feedback hormone secretion work?
-Body detects low levels hormones
-Hypothalamus triggers secretion
-Body releases ACTH
What does aldosterone from the zona glomerulosa do?
-Regulates NA+, K+ and fluid
-95% of hormone activity
(outer layer)
What does glucocorticoids from the zona fasciculata do?
-Regulates high stress or low blood concentration
-Effects metabolism of fats, proteins + carbohydrates
-Anything to do with energy
(middle layer)
What does gonadocorticoids from the zona reticularis do?
-Promotes development of bones + reproductive organs
-Regulates blood concentration
-Estrogens + androgens
(inner layer)
What are the 2 principle hormones released by the medulla when stress occurs?
-Epinephrine
-Norepinephrine
(stimulated through sympathetic nervous system, controlled through autonomic nervous system)
Which side does an adrenal hemorrhage most likely occur?
Right side
(b/c it only has 1 route, unlike the left)
What disease can infections lead to?
Addison disease
(hypoadrenalism/hypocorticism)
M/c causes of primary Addison?
-Tb in men
-Idiopathic in women
-Idiopathic atrophy in general
What happens to the hormones in primary Addison?
-Increased ACTH
-Lack of adrenocotrical hormones due to small glands
SF of addison?
Infections: acute enlarged, chronic small + calcified
TB: enlarged, thick, bumpy
Idiopathic: small, irregular, won’t see
Lightbulb symptom of primary addison?
Change in skin colour
(only in primary due to increased ACTH)
What happens to hormones in secondary Addison?
-Lack of ACTH
(no change in skin colour)
M/c cause of secondary Addison?
-Abruptly ending steroid therapy
