Adrenal cortex zones vs Adrenal medulla
How to tell Adrenal cortex zones and Adrenal medulla apart when a board question makes them look alike.
Adrenal cortex makes steroid hormones by zone: glomerulosa aldosterone, fasciculata cortisol, reticularis androgens; adrenal medulla makes catecholamines from chromaffin cells.
Side by side
Adrenal cortex zones make steroids: glomerulosa makes aldosterone, fasciculata cortisol, and reticularis androgens.
Adrenal medulla contains chromaffin cells derived from neural crest that secrete catecholamines under sympathetic preganglionic stimulation.
Adrenal cortex zones make steroids: glomerulosa makes aldosterone, fasciculata cortisol, and reticularis androgens.
Adrenal medulla contains chromaffin cells derived from neural crest that secrete catecholamines under sympathetic preganglionic stimulation.
The repair move
Before naming the answer, force the stem through the separator: Adrenal cortex makes steroid hormones by zone: glomerulosa aldosterone, fasciculata cortisol, reticularis androgens; adrenal medulla makes catecholamines from chromaffin cells.
Try a free question
CoreA histology slide of the adrenal gland shows three concentric zones in the outer cortex: zona glomerulosa (outermost, small clusters), zona fasciculata (middle, parallel cords), and zona reticularis (innermost, anastomosing cords). All zones produce steroid hormones from cholesterol. Which zone produces ALDOSTERONE?
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. Zona glomerulosa. Adrenal cortex has three zones (mnemonic GFR / Salt, Sugar, Sex): Zona Glomerulosa makes mineralocorticoids (ALDOSTERONE) under angiotensin II/potassium control; Zona Fasciculata makes glucocorticoids (CORTISOL) under ACTH control; Zona Reticularis makes androgens (DHEA-S, androstenedione) under ACTH control. Adrenal medulla makes catecholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine) under sympathetic preganglionic stimulation.
Why the other choices are tempting
- B. Zona fasciculata produces CORTISOL.
- C. Zona reticularis produces ANDROGENS.
- D. Adrenal medulla produces CATECHOLAMINES.
- E. Capsule is connective tissue covering.
Flashcards
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What clue supports Adrenal cortex zones?
Choose Adrenal cortex zones when the stem gives this pattern: Adrenal cortex zones make steroids: glomerulosa makes aldosterone, fasciculata cortisol, and reticularis androgens.
What clue supports Adrenal medulla?
Choose Adrenal medulla when the stem gives this contrasting pattern: Adrenal medulla contains chromaffin cells derived from neural crest that secrete catecholamines under sympathetic preganglionic stimulation.
Quick answers
What is the fastest way to tell Adrenal cortex zones from Adrenal medulla?
Adrenal cortex makes steroid hormones by zone: glomerulosa aldosterone, fasciculata cortisol, reticularis androgens; adrenal medulla makes catecholamines from chromaffin cells.
What is the key clue for Adrenal cortex zones?
Adrenal cortex zones make steroids: glomerulosa makes aldosterone, fasciculata cortisol, and reticularis androgens.
What is the key clue for Adrenal medulla?
Adrenal medulla contains chromaffin cells derived from neural crest that secrete catecholamines under sympathetic preganglionic stimulation.