Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Adrenal atrophy causes
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Adrenal atrophy may be caused by a loss of ACTH and trophic support of the adrenal cortex or direct damage to the tissue.
Causes
Causes
- Adrenal atrophy may be caused by prolonged glucocorticoid therapy or a functional adrenocortical neoplasm in the same or contralateral gland, which secondarily results in decreased adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels.
- Atrophy can also result from more direct ACTH deficiency, such as abnormal pituitary function.
- Cortical atrophy can also be a direct effect of exogenous toxicants that interfere with normal adrenocortical steroidogenesis and/or the physiologic effects of the renin-angiotensin system on the adrenal.
- Because of the complex physiologic interactions of hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, and gonads with the adrenal gland, other exogenous toxicants and experimental manipulations that directly damage these tissues or modulate their secretory functions can result in secondary effects in the adrenal cortex, including atrophy.[1]
References
References
- ↑ Rosol TJ, Yarrington JT, Latendresse J, Capen CC (2001). “Adrenal gland: structure, function, and mechanisms of toxicity”. Toxicol Pathol. 29 (1): 41–8. doi:10.1080/019262301301418847. PMID 11215683.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Maryam Hadipour, M.D.[2]