Endocrinology Flashcards
(145 cards)
Location of adrenal glands
Superior to kidney
Arterial blood supply to adrenal glands
Superior adrenal artery
Middle adrenal artery
Inferior adrenal artery
Origin of
Superior adrenal artery
Middle adrenal artery
Inferior adrenal artery
superior = inferior phrenic artery middle = abdominal aorta inferior = abdominal aorta
Venous drainage of the adrenal glands. Where do they drain into?
Right adrenal vein -> drains directly into inferior vena cava
Left adrenal vein -> drains into left renal vein
Nerve supply of the adrenal glands
Splanchnic nerves
The adrenal gland secretes FIVE main hormones
- Aldosterone
- Cortisol
- Corticosterone
- Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
- Androstenedione
The cortex is divided into 3 layers (From outside in). What is the name of each layer ?
Zona glomerulosa
Zona fasciculata
Zona reticularis
What does each layer of the adrenal cortex produce?
Zona glomerulosa (mineral corticoids - aldosterone) Zona fasciculata (glucocorticoids i.e. cortisol and small amount of androgens) Zona reticularis (androgens - sex hormones. Small amount of cortisol)
GFR - Makes Good Sex
Which hormones does the adrenal MEDULLA secrete?q
adrenaline and noradrenaline which cause the cortex to secrete further hormones
What do the adrenal medullary hormones respond to? What is their physiological effect as a result?
- They respond to stress
- Dilated pupils, increases glycogenesis, increase lipolysis, increased sweating, increased heart rate and inhibited insulin release
What is a precursor for ALL corticosteroids?
cholesterol
Solubility of corticosteroids
lipid soluble - can pass through biological membranes
What do corticosteroids bind to?
intracellular receptors
Effect of corticosteroids on gene?
Alter gene transcription
How are different steroids classified?
- 21 C = progesterone, corticoids
- 19 C = androgens
- 18 C = oestrogens
- Small structural modifications can substantially alter specificity for steroid receptors
What is the role of mineralcorticoids?
to regulate body electrolytes (minerals)
What is the most predominant mineralcorticoid? What is it important for?
aldosterone
Maintaining salt balance and important for blood pressure as in the RAAS
What triggers the secretion of aldosterone?
the release of renin by juxtaglomerular cells in the afferent arterioles of the kidney
What is the predominant glucocorticoid in humans? What is its role?
- Cortisol
- Facilitates the bodies responses to stress and regulation of the immune system
What are examples of stress/threat which pose a real or perceived threat to homeostasis?
physical trauma, prolonged exposure to cold, prolonged heavy exercise, infection, shock, decreased oxygen supply, sleep deprivation, pain and emotional stress
Stress triggers an increase in the release of …
cortisol
- sympathetic nervous system activity
- release of adrenaline from adrenal medulla
Process of stress detection and subsequent homeostatic response
- Stress is detected and transmitted neuronally to the HYPOTHALAMUS
- This stimulates the secretion of CRH from the hypothalamus
- CRH is carried by the hypothalami-hypopheal portal vessels to the anterior pituitary where it stimulates the release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
- ACTH in turn circulates through the blood and travels to the zona fasciculata, where it binds to the GPCRs. Protein Kinase A (PKA) stimulates the synthesis of cholesterol.
- Cholesterol is converted to pregnenolone in mitochondria and undergoes further processing in the endoplasmic reticulum
- The final conversion to cortisol takes place in the mitochondria
- Once released, CORTISOL enters circulation
% distribution of cortisol in the circulation
- 90% bound to corticosteroid-binding globulin
- 5% bound to albumin
- 5% free - only this is bioavailable
How does cortisol help maintain blood pressure?
It has permissive actions on the reactivity to adrenaline (Vasoconstrictor) and noradrenaline (vasodilator) of smooth muscle scells that surround the lumen of blood vessels