Adrenal Histo -Altikriti

Question 1

What 3 vessels supply the adrenal glands?

Answer 1

inferior phrenic,
aorta,
renal A

Question 2

What are the 3 zones of the adrenal cortex? What kind of cells are they comprised of?

Answer 2

Zona Glomerulosa: pyramidal cells in arched cords (ovoid cluster), surrounded by capillaries

zona fasciculata: straight cords, one or 2 cells thick. large lipid droplets–> foamy appearance “spongiocytes”

zona reticularis: deeply stained nuclei with acidophilic cytoplasm, fewer lipid droplets

Question 3

What is produced by the Zona glomerulosa?

Answer 3

mineralocorticoids (aldosterone)

Question 4

What is produced by the Zona fasciculata?

Answer 4

glucocorticoids (cortisol)

Question 5

What is produced by the Zona reticularis?

Answer 5

androgens (DHEA–> dehydroepiandrosterone)

Question 6

What are the embryonic origins of the adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla?

Answer 6

cortex: mesoderm
medulla: neural crest

Question 7

Where are the veins of the adrenal glands?

Answer 7

in the medulla, NOT the cortex

Question 8

What 2 things are unique to the zone reticularis?

Answer 8

lipofuscin (pigment granules) and pyknotic cells

Question 9

What cells make up the adrenal medulla? What do they secrete?

Answer 9

polyhedral chromatin cells arranged in cords or clumps, with abundant secretory granules of catecholamines (secrete 80% epinephrine)

aka ganglionic cells will have a large nucleus with a nucleolus

Question 10

Where does the adrenal cortex store granules of secretory products? the adrenal medulla?

Answer 10

it does not store secretory products–> it only secretes them into the blood supply

the adrenal medulla stores them in granules