Self-assessment Questions

40 The adrenal glands

• 1. Where are the suprarenal glands situated?

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  Above and medial to the upper pole of each kidney.

• 2. From what does the adrenal cortex develop?

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  The mesoderm of the urogenital ridge.

• 3. From what does the adrenal medulla develop?

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  Neural crest ectoderm.

• 4. What substances are produced by the suprarenal cortex?

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  (1) Mineralocorticoids.
  (2) Androgenic corticoids.
  (3) Glucocorticoids.

• 5. What is the function of glucocorticoids?

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  These regulate carbohydrate metabolism, protein breakdown and fat mobilization.

• 6. What is the function of androgenic corticoids produced by the suprarenal cortex?

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  They are virilizing.

• 7. What is the function of mineralocorticoids produced by the suprarenal cortex?

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  These regulate mineral and water metabolism. Aldosterone acts to retain sodium and water and to excrete potassium.

• 8. What functions does aldosterone have?

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  This acts to retain sodium and water and to excrete potassium.

• 9. What does aldosterone do to serum potassium levels?

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  Aldosterone acts to excrete potassium.

• 10. What controls the glucocorticoids and androgens produced by the suprarenal glands?

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  These are under hypothalamic control via adrenocorticotrophic hormone.

• 11. Where is adrenocorticotrophic hormone produced?

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  This is produced by the anterior pituitary gland.

• 12. What controls the secretion of mineralocorticoids from the suprarenal cortex?

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  Renin–angiotensin system.

• 13. What effects does hydrocortisone have if given in large amounts? Why?

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  As the steroids share a similar biochemical structure, it is not surprising that there is some overlap in actions; thus, hydrocortisone (cortisol), a glucocorticoid, also affects salt and water metabolism and has sex steroid effects (acne, hisutism) if given in large amounts.