Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of the adrenal cortex?
What is the primary function of the adrenal cortex?
Which statement accurately describes the structure of the adrenal gland?
Which statement accurately describes the structure of the adrenal gland?
What happens if there is a complete loss of adrenocortical hormones?
What happens if there is a complete loss of adrenocortical hormones?
Which hormones are primarily produced by the adrenal medulla?
Which hormones are primarily produced by the adrenal medulla?
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What is the approximate size of an adult adrenal gland?
What is the approximate size of an adult adrenal gland?
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What percentage of the adrenal gland is made up of the cortex?
What percentage of the adrenal gland is made up of the cortex?
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Which of the following layers is found in the adrenal cortex?
Which of the following layers is found in the adrenal cortex?
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What is the mass range of an adult adrenal gland?
What is the mass range of an adult adrenal gland?
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Which hormone is not produced by the adrenal medulla?
Which hormone is not produced by the adrenal medulla?
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What is a critical consequence of not replacing adrenocortical hormones promptly?
What is a critical consequence of not replacing adrenocortical hormones promptly?
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Study Notes
Adrenal Gland
- Location: Superior to each kidney, in the retroperitoneal space
- Shape: Flattened, pyramidal
- Size (Adult): 3-5 cm (height) x 2-3 cm (width), less than 1 cm thick
- Weight (Adult): 3.5-5 grams
- Size at birth: Only half the adult size
- Structure: Differentiates into two distinct regions: cortex and medulla
- Cortex: Larger portion (80-90%), located peripherally, produces steroid hormones essential for life
- Medulla: Smaller portion, produces catecholamine hormones (norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine)
- Vascularization: Highly vascularized
- Capsule: Externally covered by a connective tissue capsule
- Hormone Loss: Complete loss of adrenocortical hormones leads to death from dehydration and electrolyte imbalances within a few days to a week, unless hormone replacement therapy begins promptly.
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Description
Explore the anatomy and function of the adrenal gland. This quiz covers its location, size, structure, and the hormones produced by its cortex and medulla. Test your knowledge on how essential these hormones are for life and the implications of hormone loss.
