Key Terms

addison disease

an endocrine disorder that results from hypofunction of the adrenal cortex

adrenal adenoma

benign solid mass located within the adrenal glands

adrenal cysts

benign simple cysts located within the adrenal glands

adrenal rests

accessory adrenal gland tissue

adrenocorticotropic hormone

hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland, which controls the release of hormones by the adrenal glands

anoxia

lack of oxygen supply to the body, organ, or tissue

buffalo hump

excessive amount of fat on the back between the shoulders

congenital adrenal hyperplasia

a group of disorders in which there is a deficiency of cortisol production by the adrenal glands, although other hormones produced by the adrenal may be deficient as well

conn syndrome

a syndrome caused by a functioning tumor within the adrenal cortex that produces excessive amounts of aldosterone

crus of the diaphragm

a tendinous structure that extends from the diaphragm to the vertebral column; there are two crura (plural for crus), a right crus and a left crus

cushing disease

the presence of a brain tumor in the pituitary gland that increases the release of adrenocorticotropic hormone resulting in Cushing syndrome

cushing syndrome

a syndrome that results from an anterior pituitary gland or adrenal tumor that causes overproduction of cortisol by the adrenal glands

endocrine glands

glands that release their hormones directly into the bloodstream

gerota fascia

the fibrous envelope of tissue that surrounds the kidney and adrenal gland

hirsutism

excessive hair growth in women in areas where hair growth is normally negligible

hypercortisolism

high levels of cortisol in the blood

hyperkalemia

high levels of potassium in the blood

hypernatremia

high levels of sodium in the blood

hyperpigmentation

the darkening of the skin

hypertension

high blood pressure

hypokalemia

low levels of potassium in the blood

hypoatremia

low levels of sodium in the blood

neuroblastoma

malignant tumor that can occur within the adrenal gland and anywhere within the sympathetic nervous system

pheochromocytoma

a hyperfunctioning, benign adrenal mass that causes the adrenal gland to release excessive amounts of epinephrine and norepinephrine into the blood stream leading to uncontrollable hypertension

striae

stretch marks

suprarenal glands

another name for the adrenal glands

tachycardia

abnormally rapid heart rate