Week 9 - The Adrenal Cortex and Adrenal Medulla Flashcards
(21 cards)
Glucocorticoids inhibit the ________ response to tissue injury.
Inflammatory
What is transcortin?
Corticosteroid-binding globulin
What is the classic appearance associated with hypercortisolism?
Moon face with plump cheeks
How does cortisol increase blood pressure?
By increasing the actions of catecholamines
What is the outermost zone of the adrenal cortex, and what does it secrete?
Zona glomerulosa, which secretes mineralocorticoids (e.g. aldosterone)
What excess action of ACTH induces hyperpigmentation?
Acting on MSH receptors which enhance melanin production
What is the first step in the steroid hormone biosynthesis conversion pathway?
Cholesterol to pregnenolone
What is the most common disease associated with primary adrenal insufficiency?
Addison’s Disease
Hyperkalaemia increases the secretion of which mineralocorticoid from the zona glomerulosa?
Aldosterone
Explain a scenario that causes secondary hypercortisolism.
A pituitary tumor that autonomously secretes excess ACTH
From which amino acid are the catecholamines synthesised in the adrenal medulla?
Tyrosine
Excessive secretions of adrenal androgens in females cause what condition?
Hirsutism
What is the primary target organ in which aldosterone acts?
Kidney
What action does aldosterone have on potassium levels?
Hypokalaemia (decreased K+ levels)
How vascular are the adrenal glands?
Highly (amongst most vascular of any organ in the body)
Which layer of the adrenal cortex is aldosterone present in?
Zona glomerulosa
What is the major adrenal androgen secreted from the zona reticularis?
Androstenedione
What is the sympathetic preganglionic transmitter that increases adrenal medullary secretion?
Acetylcholine
In Ectopic Cushing’s Syndrome, the increased cortisol in circulation is due to the excess secretion of ACTH from what parts of the body?
Other sites apart from endocrine tissues
Cortisol causes the breakdown of skeletal muscle proteins to provide a substrate for what process?
Gluconeogenesis
What is the major action of cortisol in the adipose tissue?
Lipolysis
