E4 - Adrenal Gland Flashcards
Cortex
Steroid hormone production
Medulla
Catecholamine Production
* NE, EPI
Blood flows ____ from the outer layers of the adrenal cortex
Inward
ACTH is regulated by negative feedback from ____
Cortisol
POMC is controlled primarily by ____, but influenced by several other factors
CRH
ACTH is synthesized in anterior pituitary corticotrophs from a larger protein precursor ____ that is cleaved into smaller peptide hormones
POMC
Excess ACTH is associated with ______
Hyperpigmentation
-elevated MSH (Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone)
ACTH is secretedin a ____ fashion with a circadian (diurnal) rhythm
pulsatile
1 ̊ Adrenal insufficiency (Primary HYPO-cortisolism)
Damage to the adrenal gland
-decreased cortisol, NF to HT/PIT, high ACTH and CRH (AG can’t respond to ACTH tho)
2 ̊ Adrenal insufficiency (Secondary HYPO-cortisolism)
Pituitary dysfunction
-decreased ACTH, cortisol, NF, high CRH
Cushing’s Syndrome
Excess adrenal cortisol (tumor)
-increased NF, decreased ACTH/CRH
Cushing’s Disease
Excess pituitary ACTH (corticotroph adenoma)
-excess cortisol, increased NF, decreased CRH
Two main causes of high ACTH
1) Pituitary tumor secreting ACTH leading to adrenal hypercortisolism
2) Adrenal hypocortisolism (insufficiency) leading to high ACTH
Metabolic Effects of Glucocorticoids
-Increase plasma glucose
-Increase FA and glycerol
Most common cause of GC excess (Cushing’s Syndrome) is ____
exogenous glucocorticoid use
