Adrenal Gland Function and Disorders

Author: Ethan Kentzel, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM
Reviewers: Laurie Bjerklie, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM and Marissa Wildung, MBA, MLS(ASCP)CM
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Continuing Education Credits

P.A.C.E.® Contact Hours: 1 hour(s)

Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Science CE Credit Hours

Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Science CE - General (Clinical Chemistry/UA/Toxicology): 1 hour(s)

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A basic overview and understanding of the endocrine system is established in this course. Adrenal gland structure, location, and normal functionality are discussed along with various pathologies of the adrenal gland. Lastly, the utilization of specific hormones levels to determine various adrenal gland function disorders is covered.

Objectives

  • Summarize the basics of the endocrine system.
  • Discuss adrenal gland structure, location, and normal functionality.
  • Discuss pathological states of the adrenal gland.
  • Interpret how hormones can be utilized to determine the source of adrenal gland disorders.

Course Outline

  • Endocrine System
    • Brief Overview of the Endocrine System
      • Brief Overview of Endocrinology
      • True or False: Endocrine glands secrete hormones and chemicals to targets within the body, and exocrine glands secrete hormones and chemicals outside of the body.
      • Cell Signaling
      • Tissue and Organs of the Endocrine System
      • Types of Chemical Signaling of the Endocrine System
      • Steroid Hormones
      • Non-Steroidal Hormones
      • Fat-Soluble versus Water-Soluble Hormones of the Endocrine System
      • Summary
      • Match the following glands of the endocrine system as having an exocrine or endocrine function.
      • Match the hormone with the classification that best fits.
      • Match the hormones with their solubility.
    • Negative Feedback Loops and Diurnal Variation
      • Negative Feedback Loops
      • Diurnal Variation
      • Which of the following describes a system of reactants and products that are in constant flux to reach equilibrium and the products formed act as a shut-off valve when adequate amounts are produced?
    • Hypothalamus
      • Location, Structure, Function
        • Location, Structure, and Normal Function of the Hypothalamus
      • Pituitary Gland
        • Location, Structure, Function
          • Location, Structure, and Normal Function of the Pituitary Gland
          • Match the following secreted pituitary gland hormones with their function.
        • Adrenal Gland
          • Location, Structure, Function
            • Location, Structure, and Normal Function of the Adrenal Gland
            • Adrenal Cortex: Zona Glomerulosa and Mineralocorticoid Production
            • Adrenal Cortex: Zona Fasciculata and Glucocorticoid Production
            • Adrenal Cortex: Zona Reticularis and Androgen Production
            • Adrenal Medulla: Epinephrine and Other Catecholamines Production
            • Summary of Adrenal Cortex Hormones by Zone
            • Match the region of the adrenal gland with the hormone it produces.
            • Match the hormone with its function.
          • The HPA Axis
            • The HPA Axis
            • Human Response to Stress
            • True or False: The pituitary gland is the master gland and is the start of the HPA axis.
          • Pathophysiology of Adrenal Glands
            • Pathophysiology of Adrenal glands
          • Hypoactive Adrenal Gland
            • Primary Adrenal Insufficiency (Hypoadrenalism)
            • Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency (Hypoadrenalism)
            • Tertiary Adrenal Insufficiency (Hypoadrenalism)
            • Endocrine test panels were ordered on a patient suspected of having Addison's disease (primary adrenal insufficiency). Which of the following depicts a correlation to primary adrenal insufficiency?
            • True or False: The difference between secondary and tertiary adrenal insufficiency is that the hypothalamus is deficient in secondary and the pituitary is insufficient in tertiary.
          • Hyperactive Adrenal Gland
            • Primary Hyperadrenalism: Cushing's Syndrome
            • Primary Hyperadrenalism (Hypercortisolism)
            • Secondary Hyperadrenalism: Cushing's Disease
            • Tertiary Hyperadrenalism
            • What is the difference between Cushing's disease and Cushing's syndrome?
            • Endocrine test panels were ordered for a patient with a diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome. The values reported are ↑↑Cortisol, ↑↑ACTH, and ↓↓CRH when compared to normal reference values. What is the etiology of this patient's condition?
          • Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
            • Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
            • Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: Laboratory Diagnostics
            • Congenital adrenal hyperplasia can best be described as which of the following?
          • References
            • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Basic
Intended Audience: Medical laboratory scientists and technicians, and other health care personnel who have an interest in this subject matter. This course is also appropriate for medical laboratory science students and pathology residents.
Author Information: Ethan Kentzel, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM, holds a master's degree in Biomedicine and Business at Drexel University and a bachelor's degree in Medical Technology from Slippery Rock University. Ethan has lab experience as a medical technologist working in various labs, including Blood Bank, Immunogenetics/HLA, Microbiology, and briefly as a generalist. Currently, he works as an educator and Program Director for the Medical Laboratory Science and Phlebotomy programs at Reading Hospital School of Health Science. He also teaches at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children and at Reading Area Community College as an adjunct.  
The author has no conflict of interest to disclose.
Reviewer Information: 
Laurie Bjerklie, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM, is a Lead Education Developer. She earned a B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of North Dakota and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from Saint Xavier University. She has over 15 years of experience in higher education and has held program director and faculty positions in both MLT and MLS programs.
Marissa Wildung, MBA, MLS(ASCP)CM, is a Laboratory Supervisor with nine years of experience as a Medical Laboratory Scientist and a Faculty Instructor for an MLT/Phlebotomy Program in Central Minnesota. Marissa holds a Bachelor’s in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of Cincinnati and a Master's in Business Administration from St. Cloud State University.