Question | Answer |
Disorders of the adrenal glands | Adrenal hyperfunction (Cushings syndrome), adrenal hypofunction (Addisons disease) and pheochromocytoma |
Adrenal glands location | Above the kidneys |
Two regions of the adrenal glands | Medulla and cortex |
Adrenal medulla | Inner portion of the adrenal gland |
Adrenal cortex | Outer portion of the adrenal gland |
Extension of the sympathetic nervous system | Adrenal medulla |
Sympathetic nervous system called... | Fight or flight system |
What cells in the adrenal medulla secrete hormones? | Chromaffin cells |
Two hormones secreted by the adrenal medulla | Epinephrine and norepinephrine |
Epinephrine and norepinephrine are considered... | Catecholimines |
Catecholimines help the body respond to stress by... | Elevating blood pressure, increasing heart rate, converting glycogen to glucose in the liver, increasing metabolic rate of most cells, causing bronchodilation, and changing blood flow patterns |
Adrenal cortex secretes... | Hormones called steroids |
Steroids | Lipid-soluble hormones made from cholesterol |
Three steroids secreted by the adrenal cortex | Glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids and sex hormones |
If adrenal cortex is removed... | Death will occur unless steroids are administered |
Adrenal cortical steroids regulate | Sugar, salt and sex |
Glucocorticoids | Affect carbohydrates, protein and fat metabolism |
Chief glucocorticoid | Cortisol |
Cortisol | Stress hormone that is secreted in greater amounts during times of stress |
Cortisol is also used as... | A drug to prevent inflammation in the treatment of arthritis and sever allergic responses |
What stimulates the adrenal cortex to secrete cortisol? | ACTH |
Chief mineralocorticoid | Aldosterone |
Aldosterone | Regulates blood volume and blood pressure |
Aldosterone often called... | The salt retaining hormone |
Female hormones | Estrogens |
Male hormones | Androgens |
Hyposecretion of the adrenal gland to secrete cortical hormones | Addisons disease |
Addisons disease characterized by... | Generalized weakness, muscle atrophy, bronzing of the skin, hyperkalemia and sever loss of fluids and electrolytes |
Adrenal insufficiency can progress to... | Low blood volume, shock and death |
Adrenal insufficiency must be treated with... | Steroids and replacement of fluids and electrolytes |
Hypersecretion of either ACTH or cortisol | Cushings syndrome |
Cushings syndrome characterized by... | Truncal obesity, moon face, buffalo hump, virilization, facial hair, thin skin that bruises easily, bone loss, and muscle weakness |
Elevated levels of cortisol are often caused by... | Administration of steroids as drugs such as prednisone |
Adrenocortical insuffiency occurs when... | Adrenal glands do not secrete adequate amount of glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and androgens |
Addisons disease may result from... | Adrenalectomy, pituitary hypofunction, or longstanding steroid therapy |
Most common cause of Addisons disease | Autoimmune response |
Adrenal insufficiency most often occurs in... | Adults less than 60 years of age |
Addisons disease is ofetn advanced before... | It is diagnosed |
Manifestations of Addisons are usually not present until... | 90% of the adrenal cortex is destroyed |
Clinical manifestations of Addisons disease | Imbalances in adrenal hormones, nutrients and electrolytes |
Subjective data for Addisons disease | Progressive weakness, fatigue, nausea, anorexia, and craving for salt |
Postural hypotension may be associated with... | Vertigo, weakness and syncope |
Objective data for Addisons disease | Skin hyperpigmentation, weight loss and hypoglycemia |
Adrenal crisis | Life threatening emergency caused by insufficient adrenocortical hormones or a sudden sharp decrease in hormones |
Signs of impending adreanl crisis | Abnormally high or low temperature, orthostatic hypotension, hyponatremia and hyperkalemia |
Most common form of replacement therapy for Addisons disease | Hydrocortisone |
Addisons disease diet | High in sodium and low in potassium |
Pheochromocytoma | Tumor of the adrenal medulla that causes excessive secretion of catecholimines |
Pheochromocytoma often occurs in... | Adults 20-60 years old |
Secretion of excessive catecholimines results in... | Severe hypertension |
Hypertensive crisis | Blood pressure fluctuates widely, sometimes as high as 300/175 |
Extreme hypertension may result in... | Stroke, kidney damage or retinopathy |
Treatment of pheochromocytoma | Surgical removal of the tumor |