| adrenal cyst | <radiology> Same characteristics as renal cysts, but less common, thick wall, septations, calcifications suggests pseudocyst (12 Dec 1998) |
|---|---|
| adrenal gland | <anatomy, endocrinology> This gland is found above each kidney and it made up of an outer wall (cortex) that secretes important steroid hormones and an inner portion (medulla) that produces adrenaline (adrenaline) and noradrenaline (noradrenaline). The hormones help control heart rate, blood pressure, the way the body uses food, and other vital functions. (25 Jun 1999) |
| adrenal gland hypofunction | Adrenocortical hypofunction includes all conditions in which adrenal steroid hormone secretion falls below the requirements of the body. Adrenal insufficiency may be divided into two general categories: (1) those associated with primary inability of the adrenal to elaborate sufficient quantities of hormone and (2) those associated with a secondary failure due to a primary failure in the elaboration of adrenocorticotropin. (12 Dec 1998) |
| adrenal gland insufficiency | <endocrinology> A condition that results from the inadequate production of adrenal hormones (see Addison's disease). (27 Sep 1997) |
| adrenal gland tumour | <oncology> A benign tumour or adenoma, that usually results in the excess production of adrenal gland hormones. (27 Sep 1997) |
| adrenal haemorrhage | <radiology> Neonate, right more common, 10% bilateral, birth trauma, hypoxia, septicaemia, congenital syphilis, haemorrhagic disorders (haemophilia, etc.) adult, septicaemia (Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome), tumour, trauma Notes: usually resolves in 4-6 weeks, adrenal insufficiency rare, even if bilateral, may calcify (12 Dec 1998) |
| adrenal hermaphroditism | Altered appearance of the genitalia due to disorders of adrenocortical function, most often female virilization; not an example of true hermaphroditism. (05 Mar 2000) |
| adrenal hyperplasia | <pathology> A condition of diffuse enlargement of the adrenal glands. Origin: Gr. Plassein = to form (27 Sep 1997) |
| adrenal hyperplasia, congenital | A group of inherited disorders of adrenal steroidogenesis, the physical expression of which varies with the sex of the patient, the severity of the congenital enzyme defect, and the age at which the defect makes its presence felt. The most common form, the simple virilizing form, is due to a 21-hydroxylase deficiency. There is also a salt-losing form (a more complete 21-hydroxylase deficiency), a hypertensive form (11-hydroxylase deficiency), a 17-hydroxylase deficiency form, a desmolase deficiency form, and a 3-beta-hydroxysteroid deficiency form. (12 Dec 1998) |
| adrenal hypertension | Hypertension due to an adrenal medullary pheochromocytoma or to hyperactivity or functioning tumour of the adrenal cortex. (05 Mar 2000) |
| adrenal imaging | <radiology> Cortex, I-131 iodo-cholesterol, not widely used due to high rad dose and 4-15 day delayed imaging, medulla, search for pheo, MIBG (I-131 meta-iodobenzylguanidine) (12 Dec 1998) |
| adrenal insufficiency | <endocrinology> A condition that results from the inadequate production of adrenal hormones (see Addison's disease). (27 Sep 1997) |
| adrenal leukodystrophy | Sudanophilic leukodystrophy with bronzing of skin and adrenal atrophy. A metabolic disorder of young males, characterised by widespread myelin degeneration and associated adrenal insufficiency. The myelin degeneration is massive in various portions of the brain and sometimes the spinal cord, with the accumulation of degradation products of myelin in macrophages: sudanophilic demyelination; atrophy is present in the adrenal glands and testes, and markedly increased amounts of very long-chain fatty acid are present in both the brain and adrenal glands. Symptoms include bronzing of the skin, dysarthria, cortical blindness, bilateral hemiplegia, pseudobulbar paralysis, and progressive dementia. Probably sex-linked recessive inheritance. (05 Mar 2000) |
| adrenal medulla | The inner part of the adrenal gland; it synthesises, stores and releases catecholamines. (12 Dec 1998) |
| adrenal medullary imaging | <investigation, radiology> A nuclear scan that images the adrenal glands after a radioactive tracer is injected into the bloodstream. This test is useful in detecting a pheochromocytoma, particularly if it not within the adrenal gland. (27 Sep 1997) |