MEDICAL BIOLOGY, HUMAN ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY AND PATHOLOGY - Y.I. Fedoniuk 2010

ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY, PATHOLOGY

SECTION 3. ANATOMICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF BODY FUNCTION SELF-REGULATION

ENDOCRINE GLANDS AND THEIR PATHOLOGY

ADRENAL GLANDS

2. CHRONIC ADRENAL CORTEX INSUFFICIENCY (ADDISON'S DISEASE)

Chronic adrenal cortex insufficiency is a condition caused by bilateral damage to the adrenal cortex accompanied by inadequate hormone production. This pathology was first described by the English clinician Thomas Addison in 1855.

Chronic adrenal cortex insufficiency may result from direct damage to the adrenal cortex itself (primary hypocorticism) or develop as a consequence of a pathological process in the pituitary region, leading to decreased corticotropin production followed by hypofunction, hypoplasia, and Atrophy of the adrenal cortex (secondary hypocorticism).

Pathological processes in the adrenal cortex impair the synthesis of mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, and androgens. Hormone deficiency triggers complex and diverse metabolic disturbances, which in turn lead to dysfunction in numerous Organs and systems.

Addison's disease is characterized by hyperpigmentation of the Skin and mucous membranes due to the overproduction of ACTH and melanocyte-stimulating hormone, myocardial atrophy, narrowing of the aorta and major vessels, adynamia, and persistent hypotension.

Insufficient androgen production, alongside impaired gonadal function, leads to the suppression of anabolic processes. Reduced Muscle Glycogen content, muscle atrophy and hypoplasia, as well as anorexia (loss of appetite), result in progressive weight loss.

Hyperfunction of the Adrenal Glands is associated with The Development of hormonally active tumors arising from Cells of either the cortex (aldosteronoma, corticosteronoma) or the medulla (pheochromocytoma).