Adrenal Glands

Question 1

Where are the adrenal glands located and what are they composed of

Answer 1

Located above the kidneys; Consists of the inner medulla (nervous tissue) and the outer cortex (glandular tissue)

Question 2

What hormones are secreted by the adrenal medulla, what triggers the release of these hormones and how do they affect organs

Answer 2

E and NE, triggered in response to sympathetic stimulation, alpha and beta receptors (present in most organs) are targeted

Question 3

What is the effect of epinephrine hormone on the body

Answer 3

• INCREASE OF GLUCOSE - Glucose release in the liver, glycogen breakdown by the liver and skeletal muscle, adipose tissue breakdown
• Dilation (bigger) of blood vessels in cardiac and skeletal muscle

Question 4

What is the effect of NE and E hormones and what stimulates the hormones into secretion

Answer 4

INCREASE IN HEART RATE and forced contractility, Blood vessels of skin, GI, kidneys contract.

• Sympathetic response to stress, exercise, low blood pressure or low blood glucose

Question 5

What type of hormones are found in the adrenal cortex

Answer 5

Cholesterol based hormones called corticosteroids

Question 6

What are the 3 groups of hormones secreted and what layer are they from

Answer 6

1. Mineralocorticoids -Zona glomeulosa
2. Glucocorticoids - Zona fasciculata
3. Androgen - Zona retilcularis

Question 7

What is the main hormone secreted from the mineralocorticoid group, what is the target organ and effect from this hormone

Answer 7

The main hormone is aldosterone, which targets the kidneys by increasing sodium reabsorption by the kidneys resulting in high sodium levels, higher blood volume, and high blood pressure (Where sodium goes water follows)

Question 8

What triggers the secretion of aldosterone

Answer 8

Low blood pressure/ blood volume

Question 9

What is hyperkalemia and hyponatremia

Answer 9

Hyperkalemia: Stimulates aldosterone secretion because it increases Potassium excretion in urine = DECREASE POTASSIUM IN BLOOD

Hyponatremia: Stimulates aldosterone secretion because it increases sodium reabsorption in by kidneys = INCREASE SODIUM IN BLOOD

Question 10

Does aldosterone increase or decrease blood pressure

Answer 10

Increase blood pressure

Question 11

What is the main and most important hormone of Glucocorticoids what organs does this hormone affect

Answer 11

Cortisol, it affects peripheral tissue, immune system, epinephrine target cells

Question 12

What are the effects of cortisol on the body

Answer 12

INCREASE OF BLOOD GLUCOSE
- Inhibits blood glucose, triggers glucogenesis (liver makes glucose from fat and protein) to raise blood glucose levels

Question 13

When is cortisol secreted? Does it secrete in short or long intervals and why

Answer 13

Short intervals during stress, and low blood glucose. When cortisol is secreted the immune system is depressed, continuous secretion during times of stress leads to illnesses

Question 14

What is hypoglycemia

Answer 14

Low blood glucose

Question 15

What does the adrenal androgens do

Answer 15

Converted testosterone in males and estrogen in females

Question 16

What are abnormal conditions of the adrenal cortex

Answer 16

Addisons Disease –> Low ACTH
- Increase of Postassium in blood
- Decrease in sodium in blood
- Low BP
- Low cortisol levels
- Low blood glucose

Question 17

What is Cushings disease

Answer 17

High ACTH
- High BP
- High blood glucose
- High Potassium
- High sodium blood levels

Question 18

If sodium in the blood is increased, what substance will follow, what function of the body will occur

Answer 18

If sodium in the blood is increased, water will follow, increasing blood volume, increasing BLOOD PRESSURE