tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65348825419374250302024-03-13T07:42:28.139+00:00HYMedic NotesAn attempt to bring together all my Medical notes in one place, which can be accessed anywhere, for the benefit of everyone, with the touch of one button.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143792385699508166noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534882541937425030.post-48630323238074100162012-06-25T16:20:00.000+01:002012-06-25T16:21:07.984+01:00The Adrenal Glands - Anatomy<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">The adrenal glands are also known as the suprarenal glands, as they lie
on superior aspect of the kidneys, in the retroperitoneal space. The glands are
enclosed in a connective tissue capsule, with the whole encapsulated structure
surrounded by renal fascia.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkfUg86PVDZMrtPOiSNYBAaTf2ybjqbgsRfrpROwbd68k6rTJ4YBrCxbAavxTagmJ68oEmhZMTE6VPb4eT9R5ZEKBzbrCAGoI-Rnwji_pIR0E0anrVrPiYz7ifaW9lKLH5FcV5kN2d5Xo/s1600/General_Overview.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkfUg86PVDZMrtPOiSNYBAaTf2ybjqbgsRfrpROwbd68k6rTJ4YBrCxbAavxTagmJ68oEmhZMTE6VPb4eT9R5ZEKBzbrCAGoI-Rnwji_pIR0E0anrVrPiYz7ifaW9lKLH5FcV5kN2d5Xo/s200/General_Overview.png" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbbuWl7lGgTNreRSN0OsBeNgC3cKbGEluLTKKL9RST50ROxcATqV_4H0tlTUCJTxkvVpfODcDOMG1svmpeauQWYtH3oigth65IV3vdc21k9JQPgbPawd4Gt8bwFxO2SSonpyV8zTo4zyO/s1600/Renal_Fascia.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbbuWl7lGgTNreRSN0OsBeNgC3cKbGEluLTKKL9RST50ROxcATqV_4H0tlTUCJTxkvVpfODcDOMG1svmpeauQWYtH3oigth65IV3vdc21k9JQPgbPawd4Gt8bwFxO2SSonpyV8zTo4zyO/s400/Renal_Fascia.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each adrenal gland is divided into two distinct regions:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Adrenal Cortex</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Adrenal Medulla</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The adrenal cortex constitutes the outer region of the adrenal gland (i.e. is peripherally located) and also makes up 80-90% of the gland tissue itself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In contrast, the adrenal medulla is located centrally and is small in comparison to the cortex.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As mentioned previously, the outer adrenal cortex is encapsulated by a layer of connective tissue.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Xm6q0xzZ1WYkztZOwgPwOFGJb7lI63woybqgrRF8ESa7QfnWEcdK7VPjmAavrvnwbqq2pVIK7upwv2b_a77o7rfE34_hxS4mOYhCDCw7PGM8BfqSQoLc_UuDKbhvag_QyE6EI93s16ek/s1600/Layers_Adrenal_Gland.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Xm6q0xzZ1WYkztZOwgPwOFGJb7lI63woybqgrRF8ESa7QfnWEcdK7VPjmAavrvnwbqq2pVIK7upwv2b_a77o7rfE34_hxS4mOYhCDCw7PGM8BfqSQoLc_UuDKbhvag_QyE6EI93s16ek/s200/Layers_Adrenal_Gland.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Adrenal Cortex</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The outer adrenal cortex is made up of 3 functionally and histologically distinct zones:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Outermost - Innermost)</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Zona Glomerulosa - Mineralocorticoids</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Zona Fasciculata - Glucocorticoids</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Zona Reticularis - Gonadocorticoids (Androgens)</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The zona glomerulosa is the outer most region of the adrenal cortex, and is responsible for the release of mineralocorticoids, the primary one being Aldosterone. Broadly speaking, aldosterone is responsible for blood pressure and electrolyte balance regulation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The middle layer is known as the Zona Fasciculata, and is the site of glucocorticoid production and release. In humans, the primary glucocorticoid circulating in the blood is Cortisol, and functions to increase blood sugar levels and suppress the immune system.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gonadocorticoids, or Androgens, are produced in the innermost region of the adrenal cortex, known as the Zona Reticularis. The predominant androgen released in this region of the cortex is Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and is responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Adrenal Medulla</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Centrally located, the adrenal medulla is composed of special cells called Chromaffin cells (also known as Phaeochromocytes), which function to produce the Catecholamines Adrenaline (Epinephrine) and Noradrenaline (Norepinephrine). In short, catecholamines prepare the body for the 'fight-or-flight' response, by mediating an increase in heart rate, respiratory rate, metabolic rate and inducing blood vessel constriction.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>(Physiology of the Adrenal Hormones will be discussed later)</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Summary</u></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The adrenal glands lie on top of the kidneys and are encapsulated by a layer of connective tissue.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grossly speaking, the adrenal glands are made up of an outer cortex, and an inner medulla.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The outer cortex is made up of 3 parts:</span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Zona Glomerulosa - Mineralocorticoids (Aldosterone)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Zona Fasciculata - Glucocorticoids (Cortisol)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Zona Reticularis - Androgens (Dehydroepiandrosterone, DHEA)</span></li>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The inner medulla is made up of Chromaffin cells, which release catecholamines:</span></div>
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<li><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Adrenaline (Epinephrine)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Noradrenaline (Norepinephrine)</span></li>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143792385699508166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534882541937425030.post-72749110017488267412012-06-23T22:16:00.000+01:002012-06-23T22:16:14.222+01:00Update on Progress!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Currently in process of typing up notes! Will be back soon with online notes! Watch this space!<br /><br />(Working on: The Adrenal Glands)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Hamzah</b></span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15143792385699508166noreply@blogger.com0