Adrenal medulla is the inner part of the adrenal gland which are present on the top of the kidneys. Adrenal medulla has rich supply of bloo and it secretes many important hormones epinephrine and nor epinephrine which helps to withstand in emergency situation. Removal of adrenal medulla in the rat model show the death of the rat because of incapibility to with hold emergency situation such as cold, stress etc.

1. University of chakwal

2. TOPIC : DISORDERS OF ADRENAL MEDULLA
Department of Zoology
Presented by: JAVERIA KIRAN
Roll no# UOC-BSZOL-F2020/019
BS Zoology
Session: 2020-2024
Subject: Endocrinology
Instructor Name: Dr. Syeda Nadia Ahmad

3. DISORDERS OF
ADRENAL
MEDULLA

4. What is Adrenal medulla?
• inner part of your adrenal gland.
• It releases hormones that regulate your autonomic nervous
system.
• It controls involuntary functions.
• the right adrenal gland is pyramidal
• the left one is more crescentic
• The medulla is the smaller part of the gland.
• Adrenal glands are present on top of each kidney(Fung,
Viveros and Connor , 2008)

5. Hormones of the Adrenal Medulla :
Figure 1.1: hormones of adrenal gland
https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-are-
Adrenal-Disorders.aspx

6. What is the adrenal medulla function?
Adrenal medulla secretes
catecholamine,
Catecholamine include adrenaline and
epinephrine
Noradrenaline, also known as and
norepinephrine.
Body releases adrenal medulla
hormones to boost organ functioning.
This is also known as the fight-or-flight
response.

Figure 1.2 fight or flight response
https://www.slideserve.com/tia/
adrenal-cortex-and-adrenal-
medulla-hormones

7. Features of adrenal
medulla anatomy
includes
Chrom-
affin cells
Nerve
supply
Blood
supply

8. What is the role of adrenaline?
Medulla secretes adrenaline in response to low blood
sugar levels or exercise.
 It helps your body react to stress by:
1. Delivering extra oxygen to muscles.
2. Increasing blood pressure and heart output.
3. Widening small arteries. (Bornstein et al., 2019)

9. DISORDERS OF ADRENAL MEDULLA :
1. Phaeochromocytoma
2. Familial phaeochromocytoma
3. Von Hippel–Lindau syndrome
4. Sipple’s syndrome(Alter, 2020)

10. Phaeochromocytoma :
Rare adrenal medulla tumor arising from chromaffin
cells.
Excessive release of adrenaline (epinephrine) and
noradrenaline (norepinephrine).
Catecholamines remain unaltered during gestation. Thus,
diagnosing pheochromocytomas or paragangliomas
(PPGL) is not necessarily challenging, but such tumors
are rarely suspected, due to their overall low prevalence

11. Symptoms include hypertension, palpitations, and sweating
Diagnosis
Blood tests: Measure elevated catecholamine levels.
Treatment: Surgical removal of the tumor(Turcu, A. F., & Lacroix,
A. 2023).

12. Figure 1.2: Phaeochromocytoma
https://www.urologyhealth.org/urol
ogy-a-z/p/pheochromocytoma-
%28adrenal-medulla-tumor%29

13. Familial phaeochromocytoma:
Linked to specific gene mutations.
Genetic inheritance : Often part of certain inherited conditions.
Higher chance of tumors in both adrenal glands.
Symptoms : High blood pressure, palpitations, headaches.
Diagnosis : Regular for those at risk.
Surgery to remove adrenal tumors (Erlic et al., 2009)

14. Von Hippel–Lindau syndrome
Genetic Inheritance: Autosomal dominant.
Tumor Development: Occurs in various organs.
VHL gene mutation on chromosome 3p25
Ocular Manifestations: Retinal hemangioblastomas leading
to vision issues.
Management: Surveillance, surgery, targeted therapies.
Early detection is vital(Alter, 2020)

15. Sipple’s syndrome
Named after Dr. Samuel Sipple
First described in the 1960s
Also known as MEN 2A.
Autosomal-dominant disorders
Arising from germline mutations on chromosome
Usually caused by mutations in the RET proto-oncogene
Diagnosis
1. Genetic testing
2. Imaging studies for tumor detection(Alter, 2020)

16. Adrenal
Medullary
Diorders
1. Neuroblastoma
2.
Pheochormocytoma
4. Ganglioneuroma
3. Paraganglioma

17. Complications
Heart disease
Stroke
Kidney failure
 Problems with the nerves of the eye

18. Symptoms
 High blood pressure
 Headache
 heavy sweeting
 Rapid heartbeat
 Shortness of breath
 Panic attack-type symptoms
 Weight loss
 Constipation
 Blurry vision

19. Diagnosis :
Lab tests
Imaging tests
Genetic testing

20. How can I take care of my adrenal medulla?
Living an active lifestyle with regular physical activity.
Eating a diet that’s rich in nutrients.
Consuming plenty of water.
Managing stress with deep breathing exercises or meditation.
Receiving preventive care, including regular physical
exams.https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23034-
adrenal-medulla

21. References
 Fung, M. M., Viveros, O. H., & O’Connor, D. T. (2008). Diseases of the adrenalmedulla. Acta
physiologica,192(2), 325-335.
 Erlic, Z., & Neumann, H. P. (2009). Familialpheochromocytoma.Hormones (Athens, Greece), 8(1),
29–38.
 Bechmann, N., Berger, I., Bornstein, S. R., & Steenblock, C. (2021). medulla developmentand
medullary-corticalinteractions.Molecularand CellularEndocrinology, 528, 111258.
 Bornstein, S. R., Berger, I., Scriba, L., Santambrogio,A., & Steenblock, C. (2019). Adrenal cortex–
medullainteractionsin adaptationto stress and disease. Current Opinionin Endocrine and Metabolic
Research, 8, 9-14.
 Turcu, A. F., & Lacroix, A. (2023). Adrenaldisorders in pregnancy. Reviewsin endocrine & metabolic
disorders, 24(1), 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11154-022-09779-w