Intermediate Adrenal Cortex Quiz

Q1. How are cells of the zona glomerulosa typically arranged histologically?

• Concentric keratinized layers
• Large medullary nests
• Long straight cords only
• Rounded or arched clusters

Q2. How are cells of the zona fasciculata typically arranged?

• Dense neural ganglia
• Rounded subcapsular clusters
• Stratified epithelial sheets
• Long straight cords separated by sinusoids

Q3. Why do zona fasciculata cells often appear pale or vacuolated on routine histology?

• They are filled with lymph
• The cells contain large air spaces
• Their nuclei dissolve during fixation
• Stored lipid is removed during tissue processing

Q4. How are cells of the zona reticularis typically arranged?

• Keratinized epithelial plates
• Long parallel skeletal muscle fibers
• Rounded follicles filled with colloid
• Anastomosing irregular cords

Q5. Which pigment may accumulate in cells of the zona reticularis with age?

• Melanin only
• Bilirubin crystals
• Hemosiderin in every normal cell
• Lipofuscin

Q6. From which embryologic tissue does the adrenal cortex develop?

• Surface ectoderm
• Mesoderm
• Foregut endoderm
• Neural crest

Q7. Which regulatory system is most important for aldosterone secretion from the zona glomerulosa?

• Renin-angiotensin system and plasma potassium
• Thyroid-stimulating hormone
• Growth hormone
• Vagus nerve activity alone

Q8. Which pituitary hormone is a major trophic regulator of the zona fasciculata and zona reticularis?

• FSH
• Oxytocin
• TSH
• ACTH

Q9. What type of capillary network courses between cords of adrenal cortical cells?

• Lymphatic sinuses only
• Avascular connective tissue spaces
• Fenestrated sinusoidal capillaries
• Continuous capillaries of the blood-brain barrier

Q10. What happens to cortical blood after it passes through adrenal cortical sinusoids?

• It returns outward through the capsule only
• It enters the peritoneal cavity
• It flows inward toward the medulla and central venous drainage
• It drains directly into the renal pelvis