Anatomy pre-practical

Question 1

How much does the pituitary gland weigh?

Answer 1

0.5g

Question 2

In what part of which bone is the pituitary gland found?

Answer 2

Hypophysial fossa in the sella turcica of sphenoid bone

Question 3

What dural fold envelops the pituitary gland?

Answer 3

diaphragma sellae

Question 4

What can happen following an enlarged pituitary gland?

Answer 4

Due to its proximity to the optic chiasma, it can cause bitemporal hemianopia

Question 5

What is another name of the anterior pituitary?

Answer 5

adenohypophysis

Question 6

What is another name of the posterior pituitary?

Answer 6

neurohypophysis

Question 7

Which lobe of the pituitary gland is bigger?

Answer 7

Anterior pituitary lobe

Question 8

What connects the hypothalamus to the posterior pituitary?

Answer 8

Infundibulum a.k.a. the pituitary stalk

Question 9

Which lobe of the pituitary gland stains darker with H&E staining?

Answer 9

Anterior pituitary

Question 10

What are the three cell types of the anterior pituitary lobe, and how do they stain differently?

Answer 10

o Acidophilic – stains pink
o Basophilic – stains light purple
o Chromophobic – do not take up stain, appear pale

Question 11

What artery supplies the anterior pituitary?

Answer 11

The superior hypophysial artery enters into the substance of the hypothalamus before breaking up into capillaries to form the hypophysial portal system, which supplies the anterior pituitary gland

Question 12

Whats the name of the portal system that supplies the anterior pituitary?

Answer 12

Hypophysial portal system

Question 13

What artery supplies the posterior pituitary?

Answer 13

The inferior hypophysial artery supplies the posterior pituitary gland

Question 14

Between what vertebral levels is the thyroid gland found?

Answer 14

C5-T1

Question 15

Where is the thyroid gland in relation to the pharynx?

Answer 15

Thyroid is inferior to the larynx

Question 16

Where is the thyroid gland in relation to the trachea?

Answer 16

Thyroid is anterior to the trachea

Question 17

Between what tracheal rings is the isthmus of the thyroid gland found?

Answer 17

The isthmus lies opposite the 2nd to 4th tracheal ring

Question 18

Describe the arterial supply of the thyroid gland and their sources

Answer 18

• Superior thyroid artery – 1st branch of ECA

* Inferior thyroid artery – branch of subclavian artery

Question 19

Describe the veins of the thyroid gland and what they drain into

Answer 19

• Superior - drains into IJV
• Middle - drains into IJV
• Inferior - drains into Brachiocephalic

Question 20

What 3 strap muscles overlie the thyroid gland?

Answer 20

o Sternohyoid
o Omohyoid (anterior belly)
o Sternothyroid

Question 21

What is the external laryngeal nerve a branch of?

Answer 21

Branch of the superior laryngeal nerve

Question 22

What two nerves run close to the thyroid arteries?

Answer 22

External laryngeal nerve - near superior thyroid artery

Recurrent laryngeal nerve - near inferior thyroid artery

Question 23

What happens if the external laryngeal nerve (branch of the superior laryngeal nerve) becomes damages?

Answer 23

Hoarseness, inability to produce high-pitched voices

Question 24

What happens if the recurrent laryngeal nerve becomes damages?

Answer 24

Hoarseness (if U/L) and if B/L aphonia (inability to speak) and breathing difficulties

Question 25

What type of hormones are released from the thyroid gland?

Answer 25

Peptide hormones

Question 26

What cells in the thyroid gland produced calcitonin?

Answer 26

Clear parafillicular C cells secrete calcitonin

Question 27

What hormones are produced by the thyroid gland?

Answer 27

``` o Triiodothyronine (T3) o Thyroxine (T4) a.k.a thyroid hormone o Calcitonin ```

Question 28

How are the adrenal glands peritonised?

Answer 28

Retroperitoneal

Question 29

What are the two components of the adrenal glands?

Answer 29

Outer cortex | Inner medulla

Question 30

What does the cortex arise from, and what does it secrete?

Answer 30

Outer cortex – arises from mesodermal epithelium, secretes steroid hormones

Question 31

What does the medulla arise from, and what does it secrete?

Answer 31

Inner medulla – arises from neuroectoderm, secretes adrenalin and noradrenalin from large ovoid chromaffin cells

Question 32

What are the three zones of the medulla and what do they each produce?

Answer 32

Outer thin zona glomerulosa – secretes mineralocorticoids e.g. aldosterone Middle thick zona fasciculata – secretes glucocorticoids e.g. cortisol, corticosterone Inner zona reticularis – secretes androgens e.g. sex hormones

Question 33

Describe the three pairs of adrenal arteries and from where they arise from

Answer 33

o Superior - from inferior phrenic o Middle - directly from aorta o Inferior - from renal arteries

Question 34

Describe the two adrenal veins and from where they drain into

Answer 34

o Right suprarenal vein – drains into IVC o Left suprarenal vein - drains into L renal vein

Question 35

How is the pancreas peritonised?

Answer 35

Retroperitoneal

Question 36

What are the 4 types of endocrine cells in the pancreas and what do they produce?

Answer 36

o Alpha cells - glucagon o Beta - insulin o Delta - somatostatin o F cells – pancreatic polypeptide