Adrenal gland embryology

  1. Adrenal gland cortex layers in adult (out -> in) & secretions
    • GFR
    • Glomerular, Fascicular, Reticular. [Also called, zona Glumerulosa, zona Fasciculata, and zona Reticulata]


    - Zona reticularis - sex hormones (androgens  in men, oestrogen & progesterone in women)

    - Zona fasciulata - glucocorticoids (cortisol/hydrocortisone, corticosterone & cortisone)

    - Zona glomerulosa - mineralocorticoids (aldosterone)
  2. Medulla part -


    A) sympathetic NS

    b) contains chormaffin cells - specialised sympathetic post-ganglionic neurons

    • c) nerve fibres from splanchnic nerve innervate -> release acetylcholine 
    • -> hormone release

    • d) Produces
    • - adrenaline 
    • - noradrenaline 
    • - dopamine 
    • - b- hydroxylase (enzyme in catecholamine synthesis)
    • - ATP
    • - opiod peptides
  3. Adrenal gland embryology
    - 1st detected? 
    - derived from which _derm
    • at 6 weeks gestation 
    • mesoderm of posterior abdo wall
    • steroid secretion from cortex begins shortly after
  4. Adrenal gland embryology 
    - which type of zones fetal/adult 
    - progression / transition time
    • - fetal cortex predominates throughout fetal life
    • - adult type: z.glomerulosa and fasciculata detected but small portion, z.reticularis not present 

    rapid regression of fetal cortex - 4 months (4xtimes kidney) -> birth (kidney's size), 1 year almost disappears, by 4-5 - permanent adult type adrenal cortex
  5. embryological origin of adrenal medulla
    • Ectoderm 
    • Arising from neural crest cells that migrates to medial aspect of dev cortex
  6. Adrenal gland - anatomic anomalies 
    - closely related to ? 
    - 2 conditions
    • to development of kidneys
    • - agenesis of adrenal gland - ass. w/ ipsilateral agenesis of kidney 
    • - fused adrenal glands (joining across midline, post to aorta) - ass. w/ fused kidney
  7. Anomalies of adrenal gland
    • - hypoplasia 
    • - heterotopia (abnormal displacement)
    • - accessory adrenal tissue
  8. 2 forms of adrenal hypoplasia
    1) hypoplasia/absence of fetal cortex with a poorly formed medulla

    2) diorganised fetal cortex and medulla with no permanent cortex present
  9. adrenal heterotopia
    a normal adrenal gland in an abnormal location, such as within the renal or hepatic capsules.
  10. Accessory adrenal tissue
    - also called?
    - usually comprised of? 
    - located?
    • - adrenal rests
    • - usually comprised only of cortex but seen combined with medulla in some cases
    • - most commonly located in the broad ligament or spermatic cord but can be found anywhere within the abdomen, even intracranial adrenal rests
  11. Hormone secretions - Products of the adrenal cortex, from outer to inner layer
    • Salt, sugar, sex; “the deeper you go, the sweeter it gets.”
    • Salt = aldosterone, sugar = glucocorticoids (cortisol), sex = sex hormones (androgens)


    Zona reticularis - sex hormones (androgens  in men, oestrogen & progesterone in women)

    - Zona fasciulata - glucocorticoids (cortisol/hydrocortisone, corticosterone & cortisone)

    - Zona glomerulosa - mineralocorticoids (aldosterone)
  12. Medulla secretion
    The Medulla

    The adrenal Medulla secretes stress hormones Epinephrine and Norepinephrine in response to stress in MEN ( Medulla – Epinephrine – Norepinephrine make the acronym MEN)
Author
trincam2008
ID
346174
Card Set
Adrenal gland embryology
Description
MRCS Pathology
Updated