BIO220H1 Chapter : Chapter notes - the adrenal glands

• School: UTSG
• Department: Biology
• Course: BIO220H1
• Professor: Matthews

Document Summary

The adrenal glands primary endocrine gland located above the kidneys; divided into an outer cortex (80% of glands total mass) and an inner medulla. Adrenal cortex - outer portion of the adrenal gland; secretes adrenocorticosteroids. Adrenocorticoids - steroid hormones secreted from the adrenal cortex. Adrenal medulla - inner portion of the adrenal gland; secretes catecholamines . 80 % = epinephrine (adrenaline); 20% = nor epinephrine; 1% = dopamine. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (acth) - tropic hormone secreted from the anterior pituitary that stimulates secretion of glucocorticoids from the adrenal cortex. Corticotropin releasing hormone (crh) - tropic hormone released by the hypothalamus that stimulates secretion of acth from the anterior pituitary. glucocorticoid are steroids, lipophilic and diffuse immediately in adrenal cortex to bloodstream after synthesis. plasma glucocorticoids levels are reg. by negative feedback on hypothalamus and ant. pit. w/c limits crh and acth sec. Adrenal cortex; ties up with circadian rhythm sleep- wake cycle.